• Sotheby’s
    Fine Books & Manuscripts
    June 24-25
    Sotheby’s, June 25: Keats, John. The most significant collection of Keats’s love letters to come to market since 1885. $1,500,000 to $2,500,000.
    Sotheby’s, June 25: Chassériau, Benoît. The “Expedicion secreta” of the Free State of Cartagena de Indias against the forts of Portobelo (Panama). $50,000 to $70,000.
    Sotheby’s, June 25: (Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison, and John Jay). "One of the new nation's most important contributions to the theory of government”. $150,000 to $180,000.
    Sotheby’s, June 24: Benjamin Franklin. "the Day of the Declaration of Independence is everywhere annually celebrated". $80,000 to $120,000.
    Sotheby’s, June 24: (Johann Conrad Beissel). A Sammelband of two of Benjamin Franklin's rarest imprints. $70,000 to $100,000.
    Sotheby’s, June 25: [Pernambuco]. First printed work in favor of Brazilian Independence. $150,000 to $200,000.
  • June 23rd, 24th & 25th 2026
    Fonsie Mealy’s, June 23-25: Medical Incunabula: Petit (Jean)publisher & Kerver (Thielman)printer. Regimen Sanitatis Salernitanum, sm. 8vo, Paris [1498]
    Fonsie Mealy’s, June 23-25: Hugo (Victor) [Wraxall (Lascelles)]. Les Miserable, 3 vols., 8vo, L. (Hurst & Blackett) 1862, First Authorized English Translation (copyright).
    Fonsie Mealy’s, June 23-25: Shelley (Mary Wollstonecraft). Frankenstein: or The Modern Prometheus, 8vo, 2 vols. in one, L. (G. & W.B. Whittaker, Ave-Maria-Lane) 1823.
    June 23rd, 24th & 25th 2026
    Fonsie Mealy’s, June 23-25: Cuisine: Anon. Cookery, Pastry, and Sweet Meats in three Books, Alphabetically Digested, 8vo 1710.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, June 23-25: Lambert (Aylmer Bourke). A Description of the Genus Pinus, with Directions Relative to the Cultivation…, 2 vols. Sm. folio L. (Messrs. Weddell) 1832.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, June 23-25: Botany: Curtis (William). Flora Londinensis: or Plates and Descriptions of such Plants as Grow Wild in the Environs of London, 2 vols. folio, London (B. White) 1777 – 1798.
    June 23rd, 24th & 25th 2026
    Fonsie Mealy’s, June 23-25: Le Moire (J.M.) Maple Leaves, Canadian History and Quebec Scenery (Third Series) 8vo Quebec (Hunter, Rose & Co.) 1865. First Edn.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, June 23-25: The Earliest Extant Printed House Contents Sale Catalogue in Ireland: Baillie, Auctioneer, Abby Street. A Catalogue of the Goods and Stock of the late Edward Wingfield…
    Fonsie Mealy’s, June 23-25: William III King of England. Autograph Letter Signed ("William R") to an unnamed correspondent [possibly Charles-Henri de Lorraine] discussing his strategy against the French forces during the siege of Namur.
    June 23rd, 24th & 25th 2026
    Fonsie Mealy’s, June 23-25: [Austen (Jane) (1785-1817]. Pride and Prejudice, 3 vols. sm. 8vo, L. (T. Egerton) 1813.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, June 23-25: Heaney (Seamus). Ugolino, sm. folio D. (Dolmen) 1979, Limited Edn. No. 78/125 Copies, Signed by Seamus Heaney, Louis le Brocquy, Liam Miller and Andrew Carpenter.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, June 23-25: Voltaire (F.M. Avouet de). Petits Ouvrages, attribues a M. de Voltaire, sm. folio manuscript, dated 1776, containing 9 works.
  • Bonhams, June 14-23: Franklin D. Roosevelt Presentation Gold Pocket Watch. Estimate: $20,000 - 30,000
    Bonhams, June 14-23: Presentation Copy of the First Issue of the Lincoln Douglas Debates Signed by Abraham Lincoln in Pencil to a Sangamon County Illinois Republican. Estimate: $150,000 - 250,000
    Bonhams, June 14-23: A Senate Resolution Signed in the Tense Days After the Union's Humiliating Defeat at the First Battle of Bull Run. Estimate: $80,000 - $120,000
    Bonhams, June 14-23: Seven Passages to a Flight, an Artists Book with a Story Quilt by Faith Ringgold, the Publisher's Own Copy. Estimate: $80,000 - 120,000
    Bonhams, June 14-23: A New Charter for Virginia, A Response to the First Armed Rebellion in the American Colonies. Estimate: $15,000 - 25,000
    Bonhams, June 14-23: Earliest obtainable printing of the Bill of Rights. Estimate: $8,000 - 12,000
    Bonhams, June 14-23: Edward Curtis Orotone. Estimate: $7,000 - 9,000
    Bonhams, June 14-23: Owned by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis: A Butter or Dessert Plate from FDR's State Dinner Service. Estimate: $3,000 - 5,000
    Bonhams, June 14-23: An Early Large-Format Plan of the City of Washington. Estimate: $1,500 - 2,500
    Bonhams, June 14-23: Containing the First Map to Name the Hudson River. Estimate: $20,000 - 30,000
    Bonhams, June 14-23: America's First Major Novelist, a Complete Chapter in Autograph Manuscript by James Fenimore Cooper. Estimate: $15,000 - 20,000
    Bonhams, June 14-23: The Only Full-Length Book by Jefferson, with the Justly Famous Map. Estimate: $12,000 - 18,000
  • June 25, 2026
    Doyle, June 25: Houdini's biography, boldly signed. $3,000 to $5,000.
    Doyle, June 25: A volume from Abraham Lincoln's library, signed just before heading to Washington for his inauguration. $20,000 to $30,000.
    Doyle, June 25: A very early Confederate recruiting manual belonging to the chief commissary in Lee's Army. $600 to $800.
    Doyle, June 25: Rare hand-colored lithographs of the life of Napoleon. $20,000 to $30,000.
    Doyle, June 25: The "Holster Atlas" of the American Revolution. $5,000 to $8,000.
    Doyle, June 25: Jewish ceremonies in fine hand-colored engravings. $7,000 to $10,000.
    Doyle, June 25: A very rare work on Turkish military costume. $1,000 to $1,500.
    June 25, 2026
    Doyle, June 25: The most important illustrated work on the Mexican-American War. $10,000 to $15,000.
    Doyle, June 25: The finest illustrated book on Afghanistan. $10,000 to $15,000.
    Doyle, June 25: Henry Justice Ford St. George rescues the Princess from the horrible Dragon. $2,000 to $3,000.
    Doyle, June 25: A rare work of Prussian Army uniforms under Frederick William II, with exquisite hand-colored engravings. $800 to $1,200.
    Doyle, June 25: Lenny Bruce typed letter signed to a Village bohemian during his obscenity trials, with a manuscript note and drawing. $300 to $500.
    Doyle, June 25: Schiff's scarce Shanghai Sketchbook. $300 to $500.
    Doyle, June 25: The first accurate published representation of the American flag. $2,000 to $4,000.

Rare Book Monthly

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Articles - August - 2014 Issue

Opportunities in Chicago: August 6th at Leslie Hindman

- by Bruce E. McKinney

As you read this article the clock is clicking down for Leslie Hindman’s annual August auction of books, manuscripts and cartography.  The 406 lot sale is on the 6th, online viewing now ongoing and traditional in-person viewing scheduled from Sunday the 3rd through Tuesday the 5th at the firm’s offices in Chicago.

 

The Hindman August sale has traditionally been, and is again this year, eclectic but clearly characterized.  The categories are:

 

Travel, Exploration and Cartography, lots 1-36

Natural History, Science and Medicine, lots 37-63

Continental, lots 64-95

British History and Literature, lots 96-170

Americana, lots 171-234

Art, Architecture and Design, lots 235-280

Literature, Fine Press and Fine Bindings, Lots 281-407

 

The lots, across the board, are competitively estimated.  “We want this sale to be appealing both for established and new collectors” according to Mary Kohnke, Director of Books and Manuscripts.

 

Here are some of the interesting lots:

 

Lot 23.  [Asia] Brinkley, Captain F.  Oriental Series:  Japan and China.  Boston and Tokyo:  J. B. Millet, 1901-1902.  12 vols., red morocco.  Number 22 of 100 copies.  Estimated $800-1,000

 

Lot 36.  [Map] Stoopendaal, Daniel.  Werelt Caert [Amsterdam, c. 1680]  Double-page engraved hand-colored double hemisphere world map depicting California as an island.  19.5 x 25.25.”  Estimated $1,000-2,000

 

Lot 37.  Audubon, John James.  The Birds of America, from Drawings Made in  the United States and their Territories.  New York:  J. J. Audubon:  Philadelphia:  J. B. Chevalier, [1839], 1840-1844.  Estimated $30,000-50,000

 

Lot 38.  Audubon. John James, and John Bachman.  The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America, New York:  J. J. Audubon, 1845-1848.  3 vols. Elephant folios, contemporary ¾ black morocco over cloth, gilt-lettered spines.  The present, rare, three-volume edition, with all its title pages, is in very good condition, unrestored, with brilliant coloring.  Estimated $200,000-300,000

 

Lot 58.  Edison, Thomas.  Original black and white portrait photograph signed and inscribed (To Hooper / Thomas A. Edison.)  On original photographer’s mount [Pach Bros., New York].  Estimated $800-1,200

 

Lot 64.  Smith, Adam.  An inquiry into the Nature and Wealth of Nations.  London:  W. Strahan and T. Cadell, 1776.  2 vols., rebacked.  First edition of “the first and greatest classic of modern economic thought.”  Estimated $60,000-80,000

 

Lot 74.  [France, Military]  Bucquoy, Eugene Louis, et al.  Over 1,000 color cards illustrating French military uniform from Les Uniformes du premier empire, [c. 1920].  Estimated $500-700

 

Lot 119.  Scott, Sir Walter.  Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft.  London:  John Murray, 1830.  [Together with]  24 Alphabet plates engraved by Michael Delaport, hand colored.  Small 8vo.  Estimated $300-500.

 

Lot 137.  (Punch Magazine) Punch:  Or the London Charivari, London:  Published at the Office, 1841-1890, 1891-1946.  214 vols.  A near complete run, comprising 100 vols. [Together with:  Pictures from Punch.  Lond:  Bradbury & Agnew, 1904.  4 vols.  Estimated $1,500-2,500

 

Lot 154.  The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.  London:  George Newnes, 1892 and 1894.  2 vols. 8vo, rebound by Bayntun in full crushed blue morocco, gilt-lettered spines, orginal pictorial bindings bound-in.  First editions, first issues.  Estimated $2,000-4,000

 

Lot 171.  McKenny, Thomas L. and James Hall.  History of the Indian Tribes of North America, with Biographical Sketches and Anecdotes of the Principal Chiefs.  Philadelphia:  Frederick W. Greenough, 1838; Daniel Rice and James G. Clark, 1844.  Louis Phillippe I, his copy with his monogram.  Read description.  Estimated $140,000-180,000

 

Lot 180.  Greener, Richard T.  Partially printed document, one page, on vellum, being the original Bachelor of Arts diploma for Richard Theodore Greener from Harvard College, June 28th, 1870.  Mr. Greener was the first African-American graduate of Harvard College.  Estimated $10,000-15,000

 

Lot 216.  [Chicago]  Burnham, Daniel H. and Edward H. Bennett.  Plan of Chicago.  Chicago:  The Commonwealth Club, 1909.  Numerous color plates, some fold-out.  Limited edition, number 393 of 1,650.  Estimated $1,000-2,000

 

There are many other lots.  This sale deserves a careful look.  No one will be disappointed.

 

Leslie Hindman Auctioneers

1338 West Lake Street

Chicago, Illinois 60607

312.280.1212

The Complete Sale 

Tel:  312,280.1212

Contact Information

Rare Book Monthly

  • Bonhams, June 14-23: Palm-reading, astrology, and more. Estimate: $2,000 - 3,000
    Bonhams, June 14-23: Benjamin Franklin. Sammelband of 45 papers on electricity. Estimate: $8,000 - 12,000
    Bonhams, June 14-23: The basis for the whole modern electric-power industry. Estimate: $4,000 - 6,000
    Bonhams, June 14-23: Edgar Allen Poe. Poe on Mesmerism. Estimate: $2,500 - 3,500
    Bonhams, June 14-23: Reformation - The Architect of Lutheranism on Church Unity and Dissent. Estimate: $100,000 - 150,000
    Bonhams, June 14-23: The Rare 3-Paper Offprint Identifying the Double Helix Structure of DNA, Signed by Crick, Wilkins, Wilson, Stokes and Gosling. Estimate: $40,000 - 60,000
    Bonhams, June 14-23: Autograph book and Report from the Thirtieth Indian National Congress, featuring the signatures of Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore, and Dadabhai Naoroji. Estimate: $6,000 - 8,000
    Bonhams, June 14-23: An Illustrated Miniature Hebrew Prayerbook Manuscript. Estimate: $30,000 - 50,000
    Bonhams, June 14-23: Autograph Working Draft of Arthur Conan Doyle's The Death Voyage. Estimate: $30,000 - 50,000
    Bonhams, June 14-23: "Perhaps the most celebrated and most beautiful herbal ever published." Estimate: $15,000 - 20,000
    Bonhams, June 14-23: Izaak Walton. The Compleat Angler or the Contemplative man's Recreation. Being a Discourse of Fish and Fishing. Estimate: $12,000 - 18,000
    Bonhams, June 14-23: A rare product of the Jaquard loom. Estimate: $8,000 - 12,000
  • Freeman’s, June 30. Thomas Jefferson’s “Birth of the New Nation” letter, carried to Paris with the Treaty of Peace, by a Jewish patriot. $100,000-200,000.
    Freeman’s, June 30. “The rockets’ red glare.” A British midshipman’s log recording the bombardment of Fort McHenry. $60,000-80,000.
    Freeman’s, June 30. The Critical Promotion of a Naval Hero, Oliver Hazard Perry Commission signed by James Madison, 1812. $40,000-60,000.
    Freeman’s, June 30. Born in the USA: First Day of Printing in the United States, July 4, 1776. $15,000-25,000.
    Freeman’s, June 30. One of the Earliest Printed Announcements of American Independence, in the Exceedingly Rare Original Wrappers, 1776. $10,000-15,000.
    Freeman’s, June 30. "The Two Big Guns of the N.Y. Yanks": A Striking Type 1 Press Photograph of Lou Gehrig's Hands. $8,000-12,000.
    Freeman’s, June 30. A Unique Contemporary Manuscript Account of Joseph Smith's Final Words to His Followers, the Day Before his Violent Death. $8,000-12,000.
    Freeman’s, June 30. The State of Minnesota Officially Certifies the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution Of the United States. $8,000-12,000.
    Freeman’s, June 30. Extraordinarily Large Manuscript Petition Signed by a Who's Who of Colonial New York to Queen Anne from the Colony of New York. $8,000-12,000.
    Freeman’s, June 30. Mickey Mantle's First Cover: The Earliest Front-Page Newspaper Image of Mickey Mantle, "Something Good from Joplin". $8,000-12,000.
    Freeman’s, June 30. A Call to Arms in the Months Following the Declaration of Independence: An Early Continental Army Recruitment Poster. $6,000-9,000.
    Freeman’s, June 30. Samuel Jones, the Statesman Behind the Newly Discovered "Jones Declaration": His Annotated Set Used in His Working Law Library. $6,000-9,000.

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