Old and Rare Books about Books from Knuf Rare Books
- by Michael Stillman
Illustration from calligraphic notebook on birds.
Item 61 is De Vera Typographia Origine Paraenensis… by Jacques Mentel, published in 1650. Jacques Mentel claimed to be a descendant of the early Strasburg printer Johann Mentel. Mentel began printing around 1460, the first printer outside of Mainz. However, this book claims an even earlier priority for him than Gutenberg. Johann Mentel's grandson, Johann Schott, created a legend about his grandfather being the inventor of printing, and Jacques Mentel took up the cause by adding his own forgeries. In fairness to Johann Mentel it must be noted that he never made any claims to priority himself, these all coming after his death. €1,150 (US $1,563).
Item 18 is New Books printed for E. Curll, at Pope's Head… a catalogue from the notorious London bookseller from 1740. This catalogue offered a combination of serious works of science, poetry, surgery and the like with the scandalous and pornographic type of works for which Curll is better known. Edmund Curll knew what customers wanted and he produced it. That included slander, pirated works, fabricated letters and lies. It landed him in jail on occasion, but prison never reformed Mr. Curll, who continued to produce such material throughout his life. €900 (US $1,223).
Item 46 is a book of calligraphic writings from an unidentified writer from 1857. The sheets containing the writings have been bound up. They are in color with various colors of paper used as well. Most of the texts relate to birds. €550 (US $748).
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.")