One of those anecdotal signs of an improving book market is the number of dealers issuing printed catalogues. This month we received 20 new ones, the most we have seen in a long time. The William Reese Company features a selection of historic archives and manuscripts. Brian Cassidy Bookseller offers archives, manuscripts, photographs, albums, scrapbooks and other primary materials. Samuel Gedge Ltd. features old and unusual books, manuscripts, and ephemera. Quill and Brush provides a selection of new arrivals, including many signed books.
Stéphane Clavreuil Rare Books has prepared a catalogue of just one item, but it is one of the most important documents in American history. It is the sole surviving copy of the first printed version of the Capitulations of Santa Fe, the document that authorized Columbus to sail on his historic voyage. Peter Harrington has almost as concentrated a catalogue. It features only material by and related to Lewis Carroll.
J & J Hanrahan offers a miscellany with much from New England and early America. Back of Beyond Books features the American West, but also many other topics, such as classic literature, natural history, trade catalogues, maps and more. Old West Books offers a catalogue targeted to Western Americana as well. David Lesser Fine Antiquarian Books regularly focuses on rare Americana.
Patrick McGahern Books has created a catalogue of rare and interesting Canadiana and antiquarian books. Bjarne Tokerud Bookseller also has a catalogue that features Canadiana along with books related to the Arctic. Antiquates Ltd. Fine & Rare Books targets British books and owners.
The Veatchs Arts of the Book provides books featuring fine bindings, handmade paper, artistic drawings, high quality printing, and other expressions of the book arts. John Windle Antiquarian Bookseller offers fine press books. Oak Knoll Books concentrates on books about books.
Whitmore Rare Books features novels, along with some poetry and nonfiction. L & T Respess Books offers a selection of sporting books and manuscripts. Aleph-Bet Books has a new selection of children's and illustrated books. Raptis Rare Books has compiled a collection of exceptional material.
ALDE, Apr. 8: GUEVARA (ANTONIO DE). Histoire de Marc-Aurèle, Empereur Romain, vray miroir et horloge des Princes. Paris, Pierre et Galliot du Pré, frères, 1565. €3,000 to €4,000.
ALDE, Apr. 8: HEURES DE LA VIERGE. Horæ in laudem beatissimæ virginis Mariæ ad usum Romanum. Paris, Charles L'Angelier, 1556. €4,000 to €5,000.
ALDE, Apr. 8: MONTAIGNE (MICHEL DE). Les Essais. Édition nouvelle, trouvée après le deceds de l'autheur… Paris, Abel L'Angelier, 1595. €6,000 to €8,000.
ALDE, Apr. 8: [ROJAS (FERNANDO DE)]. Celestina, tragicomedia di Calisto et Melibea, tradotta de lingua castigliana in italiano idioma… Venise, 1531. €2,000 to €3,000.
ALDE, Apr. 8: CAMÕES (LUÍS DE). Os Lusiadas. Lisbonne, Pedro Crasbeeck, 1613. €2,000 to €3,000.
ALDE, Apr. 8: CERVANTES (MIGUEL DE). El Ingenioso hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha. Bruxelles, Roger Velpius & Huberto Antonio, 1611. €6,000 to €8,000.
ALDE, Apr. 8: LA FONTAINE (JEAN DE). Fables choisies, mises en vers. Paris, Denys Thierry et Claude Barbin, 1678-1694. €6,000 to €8,000.
ALDE, Apr. 8: CERVANTES (MIGUEL DE). El Ingenioso hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha. Madrid, Joaquin Ibarra, 1780. €3,000 to €4,000.
ALDE, Apr. 8: DIDEROT (DENIS) ET JEAN LE ROND D'ALEMBERT. Encyclopédie, ou dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers. Paris, 1751-1765. €15,000 to €20,000.
ALDE, Apr. 8: [LIVRE TISSÉ]. LAMARTINE (Alphonse de). Les Laboureurs. Poème tiré de Jocelyn… Lyon, J. A. Henry, 1883. €8,000 to €10,000.
ALDE, Apr. 8: [LIVRE TISSÉ]. Livre de prières tissé d'après les enluminures des manuscrits du XIVe au XVIe siècle. Lyon, [A. Roux], 1886. €5,000 to €6,000.
Sotheby’s Books, Manuscripts & Objects from Three Important Collections Open for Bidding 2-17 April
Sotheby’s, Apr. 2-17: [Guillaume de Lorris and Jean de Meun]. Le Roman de la Rose, [Geneva or Lyons, c.1481], first printed edition of the most important medieval French vernacular poem. £200,000 to £300,000.
Sotheby’s, Apr. 2-17: Castiglione. Il libro del cortegiano. [Venice], April 1528, first edition, in a magnificent binding by Jean Picard for Jean Grolier. £100,000 to £150,000.
Sotheby’s, Apr. 2-17: Jacobus de Cessolis. Schachzabelbuch, Strasbourg, 1483, von der Lasa copy. £50,000 to £70,000.
Sotheby’s, Apr. 2-17: World Championship, 1972. A collection of 84 press photographs of the famed match between Spassky and Fischer. £2,000 to £3,000.
Sotheby’s, Apr. 2-17: Ben Franklin. Autograph letter signed, to Lord Shelburne, British Prime Minister, during peace negotiations, November 1782. £15,000 to £20,000.
