Some Unusual Antiquarian Books and Music from Simon Beattie
- by Michael Stillman
Marie-Antoinette's last written words in her silhouette.
Item 6 is an internal publication Beattie notes was never offered for sale, at least until now. It is a compilation of spies and other notorious persons who had had run-ins with the German Communist Party, circa 1925. A history of the methods of spies is given, followed by descriptions and pictures of the offenders. The book was only meant to be used by senior party members. £550 (US $893).
Item 15 is a very strange piece. It contains the last written words by French King Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette before their executions. For Louis, it is his will, written on Christmas Day, 1792; for Marie-Antoinette, it is a letter to her sister-in-law, dated October 6, 1793. The words are fit within engraved silhouettes of the deceased King and Queen. They were probably published in the 1830s, the more interesting question being why? £800 (US $1,300).
For those interested in private press works, very private presses, item 24 consists of 30 pieces from the press of Reverend G.R. Woodward, from 1922-31. Rev. Woodward is best remembered, as Beattie notes, if he is remembered at all, for writing the Christmas carol Ding Dong! Merrily on High! However, he spent most of his life compiling church music. Surprisingly, when he reached his 70s, he decided to become a printer. Fortunately he lived to be 86, giving him a decade in his second career. He set up presses in an upstairs room in his house where he printed both Christian and secular works. They were generally short runs - 120 copies - and there is no indication he tried to sell them commercially. Obviously, he printed at least 30 items during his printing career. £600 (US $975).
Simon Beattie Antiquarian Books and Music may be reached at +44 (0) 1494 784954 or simon@simonbeattie.co.uk. Their website is www.simonbeattie.co.uk.
Sotheby’s Fine Manuscript and Printed Americana 27 January 2026
Sotheby’s, Jan. 27: An extraordinary pair of books from George Washington’s field library, marking the conjunction of Robert Rogers, George Washington, and Henry Knox. $1,200,000 to $1,800,000.
Sotheby’s, Jan. 27: An extraordinary letter marking the conjunction of George Washington, the Marquis de Lafayette, and Benjamin Franklin. $1,000,000 to $1,500,000.
Sotheby’s, Jan. 27: Virginia House of Delegates. The genesis of the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. $350,000 to $500,000.
Sotheby’s Fine Manuscript and Printed Americana 27 January 2026
Sotheby’s, Jan. 27: (Gettysburg). “Genl. Doubleday has taken charge of the battle”: Autograph witness to the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, illustrated by fourteen maps and plans. $200,000 to $300,000.
Sotheby’s, Jan. 27: President Lincoln thanks a schoolboy on behalf of "all the children of the nation for his efforts to ensure "that this war shall be successful, and the Union be maintained and perpetuated." $200,000 to $300,000.
Sotheby’s, Jan. 27: [World War II]. An archive of maps and files documenting the allied campaign in Europe, from the early stages of planning for D-Day and Operation Overlord, to Germany’s surrender. $200,000 to $300,000.
![<b>Sotheby’s, Jan. 27:</b> [World War II]. An archive of maps and files documenting the allied campaign in Europe, from the early stages of planning for D-Day and Operation Overlord, to Germany’s surrender. $200,000 to $300,000.](https://ae-files.s3.amazonaws.com/AdvertisementPhotos/9d2762bc-9f26-47ef-96de-1c28070e19f6.png "<b>Sotheby’s, Jan. 27:</b> [World War II]. An archive of maps and files documenting the allied campaign in Europe, from the early stages of planning for D-Day and Operation Overlord, to Germany’s surrender. $200,000 to $300,000.")