Rare Book Monthly
Book Catalogue Reviews - April - 2004 Issue
Lewis & Clark Start The Journey<br>Through Donald Heald’s Latest Catalogue
Famed artist George Catlin shoots buffalo with his trusty Colt.
When was the last time Niagara Falls was referred to as the “Falls of Niagara?” Probably around 1826 when John Maude published his Visit to the Falls of Niagara, 1800. Maude’s work is essentially a printing of the journal he kept on his trip and in the preface the Englishman expresses his appreciation to the Americans for receiving him so well. Item 27 is a presentation copy inscribed to one “Miss Turner.” $3,500.
One occasionally sees copies of William Bligh’s A Voyage to the South Sea… for sale, but it is unusual to find one inscribed by the captain himself. This is, of course, Captain Bligh’s account of his ship the Bounty’s attempt to transport some breadfruit trees, a journey which turned into the most infamous mutiny in history. It includes his description of the long, difficult trip he and his loyal crewmates undertook after being abandoned to a 23-foot boat. Item 52. $75,000.
Heald describes Willem and Jan Blaeu’s Le Theatre du Monde… (or the Theatrum Orbis Terrarum) as “the greatest world atlas ever produced.” That’s no exaggeration. This is a massive collection of maps produced in the 17th century. This particular edition was printed in 1645-46 at which point the atlas had expanded to 334 maps with some very fine hand-coloring. Included in this four-volume set are 13 early maps of America. Item 48. $225,000.
An atlas specifically devoted to America is Thomas Jefferys’ The American Atlas; or, a Geographical Description of the Whole Continent of America… This atlas provides what is probably the best series of maps of America at the time of the Revolution. Jefferys died in 1771, but his maps were brought together to form this atlas which was printed in 1775. Item 80. $120,000.
George Catlin set about to create illustrations of many of the western Indians at a time before they were greatly influenced by the arrival of settlers. Catlin believed these peoples would soon disappear, or at least, their culture and appearance pre-settlement would disappear. As he noted, three-fourths of their land had already been taken, and 12 million had died, in battle, to disease, or to drink. This is a first edition, third issue, and possibly the best of Catlin’s North American Indian Portfolio. Item 7. $225,000.
Item 6 is another Catlin work, and one which comes with an important association. Samuel Colt commissioned Catlin to paint a series of pictures displaying Colt firearms which could be used for advertising purposes. In serious need of financing at the time, Catlin agreed, and in 1857 completed the series. This set was Colt’s personal set and had been handed down through the Colt family for many generations. $100,000.
Donald A. Heald’s complete catalogue is available as a download from their website. Go to www.donaldheald.com and click on “Catalogues” on the top toolbar. This will allow you to download any of their catalogues.
