Rare Book Monthly
Book Catalogue Reviews - May - 2005 Issue
Rare Books in the Arts and More from Charles Wood
Early poster album from Ault & Wiborg.
Francis Osborne penned a very popular book of advice for young men entitled, Advice to a son; or, directions for your better conduct, through the various and most important encounters of this life. While now considered rather stiff and full of platitudes, it went through five editions in its first year of publication (1656). It is somewhat controversial for its advice. When it came to women and marriage, the author's counsel was, essentially, stay away from them. However, what got him in greater trouble at the time was that his section on religion was evidently not strong enough, causing some to accuse Osborne of being an atheist and to boycott his books. Item 59. $1,250.
For those who like posters, here is a book full of them. It is called a Poster Album, published by the Ault and Wiborg Company in 1902. This was a catalogue for a producer of poster inks, but when their supply of posters ran out, they decided to produce a book of them. Fifty-four posters are illustrated in this collection (see image with this article). Item 3. $2,500.
Item 34 offers a collection of early photos from the American West. Andrew Joseph Russell produced the photographs on behalf of the Union Pacific Railroad at the time the transcontinental railway was completed. While the purpose was to document the building of the railroad, the photographs are really items of landscape art. Published under the name of Ferdinand Hayden, who was head of the U.S. Geological Survey, in 1870, the book is, Sun Pictures of the Rocky Mountain Scenery...containing 30 photographic views along the line of the Pacific Railroad, from Omaha to Sacramento. $9,000.
A Book of Architecture, containing designs of buildings and ornaments was likely the most widely used English architectural book of the 18th century, being popular both in Britain and America. James Gibbs published the book for those living out in the country where professional advice was not readily available. It was evidently quite successful at its intended purpose, but was also a source of inspiration for the design of the White House in Washington. Thomas Jefferson owned a copy. First published in 1728, item 29 is a copy of the 1739 edition. $8,500.
Item 13 is a serious sounding title: Advice from a lady of quality to her children, in the last stage of a lingering illness, in a series of evening conferences on the most interesting subjects. It wasn't so serious. Supposedly written by a noble 39-year-old lady on her deathbed, the real author was Louis-Antoine Caraccioli. The spoof offers advice on women's conduct, treatment of domestics, etc. It does not encourage female enlightenment. "It is a mistake to pretend that our sex ought to study," advises the ill "lady." This is a first English edition of the fantasy published in 1778 (the original was in French). $1,000.
Charles Wood Antiquarian Booksellers may be found online at www.cbwoodbooks.com. Their phone number is 617-868-1711.
