135. [NEW ORLEANS IMPRINT]. Postillon del Mensagero Luisianés. Nueva Orleans, Lunes 22 de Julio 1811. [New Orleans: Joaquín de Lisa and José Antonio Boniquet, 1811]. Folio broadside in three columns, 41.5 x 31.3 cm. First edition of an exceedingly rare New Orleans imprint with important content relating to dispatch of U.S. troops to quell uprising in West Florida and the Kemper brother filibusters (who would soon move their operations to Texas). Not in American Imprints, Jumonville, MacCurdy, Medina (Notas bibliográficas referente a las primeras producciones de la imprenta en algunas ciudades de la América Española...1764-1822), etc. This issue is believed to be unique. ($2,500-5,000)
137. MARGIL DE JESÚS, Antonio. Manuscript dictum written in Latin, signed by Margil as Guardian of the College of Guadalupe of Zacatecas, May 4, 1724. 1 page, folio, in Latin. Documents signed by Margil are rare. Father Margil informs the friars that, under the papal bull of foundation of the College of Santa Cruz of Querétaro of Innocent XI in 1682, the friars doing missionary work do not need licenses from the local prelate to preach or administer the sacraments. Margil is known as the "Apostle of Texas" and the "Giant Northern Pilgrim." His efforts in Texas resulted in the first permanent civil settlement in Texas. He found Mission in East Texas, and his greatest success was the founding of Mission San José in San Antonio de Béxar in 1720 (Handbook of Texas Online: Margil de Jesús, Antonio). ($10,000-20,000)
The Bonhams and Butterfield sale is the broadest of the three. There are 497 lots with an average low estimate of $1,616.16. The material is eclectic, serious in the Southern California way. That is, in this sale, Thomas Jefferson and Dr. Seuss rub shoulders if not noses. I asked Catherine Williamson, Director of Books & Manuscripts for an overview and she said, "For the second year we are timing our auction to coincide with the California ABAA Book Fair. Last year was very successful both for buyers and sellers and we hope to make this an annual event." In response to feedback they are offering extended previewing: Thursday, Friday and Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Here are some examples of what's offered. The sale is Sunday the 18th and begins at 10:00 am.
Lot No: 35 ROBERTS, DAVID. 1796-1864.
The Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt, & Nubia. London: Day & Son, 1855-1856. 6 volumes bound in 3. Illustrated with 248 tinted lithographed plates, mostly duotone, some in three tints (including 6 pictorial title-pages & portrait of Roberts); 2 engraved maps. 4to (292 x 196mm). Period full armorial morocco gilt, all edges gilt. Light foxing to plates but images mostly clean, bookplates of G. Redmayne. First quarto edition. Abbey Travel, 272, 385, and 388. Estimate: $3,000 - 5,000
Swann Maps & Atlases, Natural History & Color Plate Books December 9, 2025
Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 156: Cornelis de Jode, Americae pars Borealis, double-page engraved map of North America, Antwerp, 1593.
Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 206: John and Alexander Walker, Map of the United States, London and Liverpool, 1827.
Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 223: Abraham Ortelius, Typus Orbis Terrarum, hand-colored double-page engraved world map, Antwerp, 1575.
Swann Maps & Atlases, Natural History & Color Plate Books December 9, 2025
Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 233: Aaron Arrowsmith, Chart of the World, oversize engraved map on 8 sheets, London, 1790 (circa 1800).
Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 239: Fielding Lucas, A General Atlas, 81 engraved maps and diagrams, Baltimore, 1823.
Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 240: Anthony Finley, A New American Atlas, 15 maps engraved by james hamilton young on 14 double-page sheets, Philadelphia, 1826.
Swann Maps & Atlases, Natural History & Color Plate Books December 9, 2025
Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 263: John Bachmann, Panorama of the Seat of War, portfolio of 4 double-page chromolithographed panoramic maps, New York, 1861.
Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 265: Sebastian Münster, Cosmographei, Basel: Sebastian Henricpetri, 1558.
Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 271: Abraham Ortelius, Epitome Theatri Orteliani, Antwerp: Johann Baptist Vrients, 1601.
Swann Maps & Atlases, Natural History & Color Plate Books December 9, 2025
Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 283: Joris van Spilbergen, Speculum Orientalis Occidentalisque Indiae, Leiden: Nicolaus van Geelkercken for Jodocus Hondius, 1619.
Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 285: Levinus Hulsius, Achtzehender Theil der Newen Welt, 14 engraved folding maps, Frankfurt: Johann Frederick Weiss, 1623.
Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 341: John James Audubon, Carolina Parrot, Plate 26, London, 1827.
Sotheby’s Book Week December 9-17, 2025
Sotheby’s, Dec. 11: Darwin and Wallace. On the Tendency of Species to form Varieties..., [in:] Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society, Vol. III, No. 9., 1858, Darwin announces the theory of natural selection. £100,000 to £150,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 11: J.K. Rowling. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, 1997, first edition, hardback issue, inscribed by the author pre-publication. £100,000 to £150,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 11: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Autograph sketchleaf including a probable draft for the E flat Piano Quartet, K.493, 1786. £150,000 to £200,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 12: Hooke, Robert. Micrographia: or some Physiological Descriptions of Minute Bodies made by Magnifying Glasses. London: James Allestry for the Royal Society, 1667. $12,000 to $15,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 12: Chappuzeau, Samuel. The history of jewels, first edition in English. London: T.N. for Hobart Kemp, 1671. $12,000 to $18,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 12: Sowerby, James. Exotic Mineralogy, containing his most realistic mineral depictions, London: Benjamin Meredith, 1811, Arding and Merrett, 1817. $5,000 to $7,000.
![<b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 11:</b> Darwin and Wallace. On the Tendency of Species to form Varieties..., [in:] <i>Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society,</i> Vol. III, No. 9., 1858, Darwin announces the theory of natural selection. £100,000 to £150,000.](https://ae-files.s3.amazonaws.com/AdvertisementPhotos/00d5fd41-2542-4a80-b119-4886d4b9925f.png "<b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 11:</b> Darwin and Wallace. On the Tendency of Species to form Varieties..., [in:] <i>Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society,</i> Vol. III, No. 9., 1858, Darwin announces the theory of natural selection. £100,000 to £150,000.")
