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Bonhams, Nov. 3-13: Presentation Copy of a Whitman "Holy Grail." Whitman, Walt. $10,000-$15,000.Bonhams, Nov. 3-13: Endymion in Original Boards. Keats, John. $8,000-Bonhams, Nov. 3-13: Association Copy of the Privately Printed Edition of The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Potter, Beatrix. $8,000-$12,000Bonhams, Nov. 3-13: Christina Rossetti's Own Copy of Her First Book. Rossetti, Christina G. $8,000-$12,000Bonhams, Nov. 3-13: The Borden Copy of The Life of Merlin in an Elaborate Binding by Riviere. Heywood, Thomas, Translator. $6,000-$8,000Bonhams, Nov. 3-13: Arion Press. Whitman, Walt, Leaves of Grass. $4,000-$6,000Bonhams, Nov. 3-13: Call It Sleep in the First State Jacket. Roth, Henry. $2,000-$3,000Bonhams, Nov. 3-13: Steinbeck's Best-Known Work. Steinbeck, John. $2,000-$3,000Bonhams, Nov. 3-13: A Fine Jewelled Binding Signed by Sangorski & Sutcliffe. Sangorski, Francis. $40,000-$60,000Bonhams, Nov. 3-13: The Complete Tales of Beatrix Potter: A Complete Set of First Editions. Potter, Beatrix. $2,000-$3,000Bonhams, Nov. 3-13: Kelmscott Shelley. Shelley, Percy Bysshe. The Poetical Works. $3,000-$5,000Bonhams, Nov. 3-13: Inscribed by Martin Luther King Jr. King, Martin Luther, Jr. $3,000-$5,000
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Old World Auctions (Nov 12):
Lot 75. The Second Printed Map of the North American Continent - Full Contemporary Color (1593) Est. $35,000 - $40,000Old World Auctions (Nov 12):
Lot 37. Schedel's Ancient World Map with Fantastic Humanoid Creatures (1493) Est. $16,000 - $18,000Old World Auctions (Nov 12):
Lot 104. Important Revolutionary War Plan of Battle of Quebec in Contemporary Color (1776) Est. $4,000 - $4,750Old World Auctions (Nov 12):
Lot 43. Mercator's Map of the North Pole - the First Printed Map Devoted to the Arctic (1606) Est. $2,750 - $3,500Old World Auctions (Nov 12):
Lot 237. Rare and Striking Bird's-Eye View of Lawrence, Kansas (1880) Est. $2,000 - $2,500Old World Auctions (Nov 12):
Lot 10. Rare Map from Atlas Maior with Representations of the Seasons in Contemporary Color (1662) Est. $14,000 - $17,000Old World Auctions (Nov 12):
Lot 374. Bunting's Map of Europe Depicted as the Queen of the World (1589) Est. $2,000 - $2,400Old World Auctions (Nov 12):
Lot 590. Willem Blaeu's Magnificent Carte-a-Figures Map of Asia (1634) Est. $2,750 - $3,500Old World Auctions (Nov 12):
Lot 647. The Earliest and Most Decorative Map of the East Coast of Africa (1596) Est. $3,000 - $3,750Old World Auctions (Nov 12):
Lot 710. Ruscelli's Complete, Third Edition Atlas with 65 Maps (1574) Est. $9,500 - $11,000Old World Auctions (Nov 12):
Lot 696. Superb Hand-Colored Image of the Adoration of the Shepherds (1502) Est. $800 - $950 -
University Archives
Rare Autographs, Manuscripts & Books
Now through Nov. 19University Archives, Nov. 19:
Lot 308 - Bob Dylan Handwritten & Signed Lyrics to "Just Like a Woman" With Jeff Rosen & JSA AuthenticationUniversity Archives, Nov. 19:
Lot 455 - Isaac Newton Admiration For Judaism & Moral Continuity With Christianity! 350+ Words in his Hand - Extraordinary Content!University Archives, Nov. 19:
Lot 219 - 371g Moon Meteorite, Incredible Find - Laâyoune 002University Archives
Rare Autographs, Manuscripts & Books
Now through Nov. 19University Archives, Nov. 19:
Lot 448 - Scarce Einstein AM on Unified Field Theory, 180+ Words & 11 Equations in His Hand! From His Published Article, "A Generalization of the Relativistic Theory of Gravitation"University Archives, Nov. 19:
Lot 159 - Woodrow Wilson Baseball Signed for WWI Red Cross Fundraiser, Ex. Forbes & PSA Authentic - Finest Known!University Archives, Nov. 19:
Lot 84 - Lee Harvey Oswald ALS to Brother, Trying Desperately to Get out of Russia! Highly ImportantUniversity Archives
Rare Autographs, Manuscripts & Books
Now through Nov. 19University Archives, Nov. 19:
Lot 152 - George Washington Signed Discharge for MA Soldier Whose Regiment Was at Bunker Hill!University Archives, Nov. 19:
Lot 88 - Abraham Lincoln Fully Signed Military Appointment for Mexican War Vet & Respected CavalrymanUniversity Archives, Nov. 19:
Lot 188 - Apollo XI Astronauts & Their Wives Signed Photo, Plus Crew Signed Cover, From Apollo XI Presidential Goodwill Tour Era, Pre-Cert ZarelliUniversity Archives
Rare Autographs, Manuscripts & Books
Now through Nov. 19University Archives, Nov. 19:
Lot 265 - Martin Luther King, Jr. TLS Re: "Stride Toward Freedom" Film Rights To Literary Agent Marie RodellUniversity Archives, Nov. 19:
Lot 324 - John Lennon Signed Apple Records Check, PSA GEM MT 10! Possibly Finest KnownUniversity Archives, Nov. 19:
Lot 79 - John & Jacqueline Kennedy Signed WH 1963 Christmas Gift Inscribed to Close Friend Joan Braden, PSA Authentic -
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Rare Book Monthly
Gilding the Lilly Revisited: <i>New book a market-maker for US decorative bindings</i>
Older esthetic combined with writer of lasting value
While many of the books Minsky shows have texts that probably won't ever find an audience again, others are very nice combinations of the older binding esthetic with an author of lasting value. One example, Shadowings by Lafcadio Hearn (Minsky 13), is a good example. Here the text by an American author writing about things Japanese is bound in a beautiful dark blue cloth overprinted in black showing water lilies in an Asian style. The whole effect with its glimmers of twilight is gilt stamped in a wrap around design. It's stunning to put it mildly.
An equally appealing combination of subject and interpretive binding is the 1913 edition of the Jungle Book by Kipling, illustrated by M&E Detmold, published by the Century Company with binding design by Frank Hazenplug which Minsky terms "a remarkable design in which the gold seems to light up the forest, like sunlight filtering through the trees" (Minsky 30). He also shows many examples of effective use of silhouettes and bold patterning, as well as numerous floral inspired motifs and designs from nature done as all over patterns.
One particularly nice set of illustrations groups books by Margaret Armstrong, one of the most talented and best known designers of the period. She created a series of covers for a dozen books by Henry Van Dyke published between 1901 and 1926. All the covers are beautiful, inventive and different, yet clearly the work of the same gifted imagination.
Bitten by the decorative binding bug
If AE readers are anything like this writer, the first step will be to read the book and enjoy the variety and insights presented by the author. But don't be surprised if the very next instant you are browsing the auction records and different book bases looking for inexpensive copies of some of the beauties, hoping to get a bargain for your own collection.
There's a general bibliography at the end. For those who want to read more, the author recommends Allen and Gullans, Decorated Cloth in America as a good general introduction adding, "My suggestion for anyone starting out is go with your gut. If you love looking at it, get it. It will give you pleasure."
Additional Links
Here are a few interesting links related to Minsky and period American bindings.
Interview with Minsky aimed at art students and prospective book artists - link.
Here's a stunning website displaying thousands of photos of the work of Philadelphia publisher Henry Altemus. This firm was a leader in the field of decorative bindings and also produced many series books. This great reference site is a labor of love by Texas collector Cary Sternick - link.
Publishers Bindings online at the University of Alabama Library - link. Click the link for Publisher's Bindings on the right hand side under "Find."
Writer Susan Halas welcomes your comments: she can be reached at halas@hawaii.rr.com
