Early Americana From David Lesser<br>Fine Antiquarian Books
Rare Americana from David M. Lesser Fine Antiquarian Books
By Michael Stillman
David M. Lesser Fine Antiquarian Books has issued their 81st catalogue of rare Americana. This is an interesting collection of political, business, and religious documents from the 18th and 19th centuries. Many provide insights into the controversies of the day, some virtually forgotten, others still part of our national psyche.
For those who think rough and tumble politics is something new, Lesser has a series of pamphlets that are ridiculous enough to have been written today. John C. Fremont was the first Republican candidate for president, and that candidacy elicited this publication: Black Republican Imposture Exposed! Fraud Upon the People! The Accounts of Fremont Examined; Showing an Astounding Disregard of the Public Interest, Only to be Accounted for by Extravagance, Recklessness, or an Utter Want of Judgment! Fremont was a surveyor and explorer known as "The Pathfinder," an image that made him a popular figure. In this pamphlet, he is attacked for supposed fraud in the purchase of horses ten year earlier when serving in California. Item 47. Priced at $250.
That was the mild criticism. The opposition became more serious with Infidelity and Abolitionism. An Open Letter to the friends of Religion, Morality and the American Union. Fremont was evidently no friend to any of those. He is accused of such dastardly behavior as advocating social equality of Blacks, free love, and political affiliation with "unsexed females." Unfortunately, Fremont was not able to get the "unsexed female" vote to the polls, so he lost. You've got to get your base out on election day. Item 58. $250.
Nathaniel Appleton preached a sermon on May 26, 1742, which was transcribed in the following: The Great Blessing of Good Rulers, Depends upon God's Giving His Judgments & Righteousness to Them. A Sermon Preached Before His Excellency William Shirley, Esq: Governour...(of Massachusetts). In his sermon Appleton proclaims, "God forbid that we should have any irreligious, prayerless Rulers among us." Hopefully Governor Shirley was a God-fearing, righteous man. Otherwise, he must have been squirming in his seat through this lecture. Item 3. $500.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Letter Signed ("Martinus Luther") to His Friend the Theologian Gerhard Wiskamp ("Gerardo Xantho Lampadario"). $100,000 - $150,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: An Exceptionally Fine Copy of Austenís Emma: A Novel in Three Volumes. $40,000 - $60,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Presentation Copy of Ernest Hemmingwayís A Farewell to Arms for Edward Titus of the Black Mankin Press. $30,000 - $50,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Manuscript Signed Integrally for "The Songs of Pooh," by Alan Alexander. $30,000 - $50,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Manuscript of "Three Fragments from Gˆtterd‰mmerung" by Richard Wagner. $30,000 - $50,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Original Preliminary Artwork, for the First Edition of Snow Crash. $20,000 - $30,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Letter Signed ("T.R. Malthus") to Economist Nassau Senior on Wealth, Labor and Adam Smith. $20,000 - $30,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides Finely Bound by Michael Wilcox. $20,000 - $30,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: First Edition of Lewis and Clark: Travels to the Source of the Missouri River and Across the American Continent to the Pacific Ocean. $8,000 - $12,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Original Artwork for the First Edition of Neal Stephenson's Groundbreaking Novel Snow Crash. $100,000 - $150,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: A Complete Set Signed Deluxe Editions of King's The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King. $8,000 - $12,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Letter Signed ("John Adams") to James Le Ray de Chaumont During the Crucial Years of the Revolutionary War. $8,000 - $12,000.
Sotheby’s Book Week December 9-17, 2025
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.
Heritage Auctions Rare Books Signature Auction December 15, 2025
Heritage, Dec. 15: John Donne. Poems, By J. D. With Elegies on the Author's Death. London: M[iles]. F[lesher]. for John Marriot, 1633.
Heritage, Dec. 15: Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
Heritage, Dec. 15: F. Scott Fitzgerald. Tender is the Night. A Romance.
Heritage, Dec. 15: Jerry Thomas. How to Mix Drinks, or the Bon-Vivant's Companion, Containing Clear and Reliable Directions for Mixing All the Beverages Used in the United States…
![<b>Heritage, Dec. 15:</b> John Donne. <i>Poems, By J. D. With Elegies on the Author's Death.</i> London: M[iles]. F[lesher]. for John Marriot, 1633.](https://ae-files.s3.amazonaws.com/AdvertisementPhotos/8caddaea-4c1f-47a7-9455-62f53af36e3f.jpg "<b>Heritage, Dec. 15:</b> John Donne. <i>Poems, By J. D. With Elegies on the Author's Death.</i> London: M[iles]. F[lesher]. for John Marriot, 1633.")
