Rare Book Monthly
Articles - August - 2003 Issue
Catalogue Review: Reese, Oak Knoll, & Shapero
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A little research in the Æ Database finds an interesting Dampier document sold by Maggs Bros. back in 1922. It was a 1703 codicil to his will revoking a 200-pound bequest to his wife. It is believed that this did not reflect any marital problems but simply that Dampier was spending his wife’s inheritance to finance his next voyage. Among those who would participate in this next adventure was Alexander Selkirk, the real Robinson Crusoe. Selkirk would eventually end up stranded on Juan Fernandez Island, to be rescued in 1709 by Captain Woodes Rogers. Dampier was Rogers’ pilot.
Have you always wanted a Declaration of Independence? There’s one in the Reese catalogue, Item 71, and it’s only $15,000. This one is a Guatemalan Declaration of Independence, but if the history of that other Declaration of Independence is any guide, this could be a good long-term investment.
A few items are reminiscent of more recent events. Item 226 from Thomas Wilson describes an 1851 military expedition from America to Cuba in attempt to start a revolution. Reese points to the “strange resemblance” to the Bay of Pigs invasion a little over a century later. This earlier expedition was not successful in fomenting a revolution either, and was quickly put down by Spanish authorities. $850. Item 7 is an 1807 treaty between Britain and Argentina. The British had attacked Argentina, hoping to force it to open its markets, but were beaten back. They decided to accept the treaty, requiring their exit. Of course, England would get its revenge on Argentina many years later in the Falklands’ war. Take that, Argentina! $1,500.
Another document of war is George Kendall and Carl Nebel’s The War Between the United States and Mexico…This is a major written and illustrated work describing the Mexican-American War. The twelve hand-colored lithographs are evidently spectacular works. $35,000.
A couple of works herein will also be of interest to collectors of the American West and Texas. Julius Froebel’s 1859 Seven Years’ Travel in Central America, Northern Mexico, and the Far West of the United States describes three of his journeys. The last brought him from Galveston through San Antonio, El Paso, New Mexico, Arizona, and finally Los Angeles. $1,500. Items 129 and 130 will be of interest to Texas collectors. These are collections of pre-Republic Mexican laws that relate to Texas, along with attacks on rebellious Texans. $650 and $850.
