A century later, Antonio Scarfoglio embarked on a much more extensive journey. His book is Round the World in a Motor-Car. That would be an accomplishment even today, but it's absolutely remarkable when you look at the book's date, 1909. The book recounts a truly remarkable race in 1908. Six teams began the race in New York, which included the first transcontinental automobile trip of America during winter. It would take the leader 13 days to reach Chicago, 41 days to reach San Francisco, and 131 days to complete the race. The Italians would arrive several weeks later. Part 1 covers their adventures through the United States, Parts 2 and 3 cover the trip through Asia and Europe. Of the six teams that started, Scarfoglio's Italian team finished third, one of only three to finish. To read about this amazing race, click the following link: www.leftrightonline.com/newsarticlesearch_detail.cfm?ID=26. Item 31. $375.
Here's another early automotive piece: The 1907 Gale. It's a catalogue for a little-remembered early automobile manufacturer from Galesburg, Illinois. The catalogue describes their various models and includes pictures of the cars and engines. I have not been able to find much information about this manufacturer, but it appears they were in operation for five or six years, and out of business by 1910. Among their claims was "Gale cars are the easiest to operate. Even the youngsters can run them." Perhaps this is why people stopped buying their cars. Item 33. $400.
This is an item that does not mix with your automobile: A Token of Remembrance Devoted to its Patrons by the Jos. Schlitz Brewing Co. It was, naturally, printed in Milwaukee in 1893. It includes many pictures from the old brewery covering the various stages of the process. Schlitz was once a major American brewer, the largest in the country at mid-20th century, larger than Budweiser or Miller. If you came of age in the 1960s or earlier, you may remember its distinctive flavor, which won the brewer a loyal following. In the 1970s, they began using cheaper ingredients, which pushed up profits for a time, but soon cost them their following. By the 1980s, they were out of business. Today there is still something in a can with the Schlitz logo, but "the beer that made Milwaukee famous" is brewed under contract to Miller Brewing, on behalf of former competitor Pabst, which now owns the brand, in San Antonio, Texas. Yippee. Item 455. $300.
There are many, many more interesting items in this catalogue. It is definitely worth a look. Almagre Books may be reached at 812-334-0465, or by email at wwroth@kiva.net
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. 17: Francesco Colonna. Hypnerotomachie, Paris, 1546, Parisian calf by Wotton Binder C for Marcus Fugger. €200,000 to €300,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 17: Nausea. De principiis dialectices Gorgias, and other works, Venice, 1523, morocco gilt for Cardinal Campeggio. €3,000 to €4,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 17: Billon. Le fort inexpugnable de l'honneur, Paris, 1555, Parisian calf gilt for Peter Ernst, Graf von Mansfeld. €120,000 to €180,000.
Sotheby’s Book Week December 9-17, 2025
Sotheby’s, Dec. 16: Salinger, J.D. The Graham Family archive, including autographed letters, an inscribed Catcher, a rare studio photograph of the author, and more. $120,000 to $180,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 16: [Austen, Jane]. A handsome first edition of Sense and Sensibility, the author's first novel. $60,000 to $80,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 16: Massachusetts General Court. A powerful precursor to the Declaration of Independence: "every Act of Government … without the Consent of the People, is … Tyranny." $40,000 to $60,000.
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>Sotheby’s, Dec. 16:</b> [Austen, Jane]. A handsome first edition of <i>Sense and Sensibility,</i> the author's first novel. $60,000 to $80,000.](https://ae-files.s3.amazonaws.com/AdvertisementPhotos/9a74d9ff-42dd-46a1-8bb2-b636c4cec796.png "<b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 16:</b> [Austen, Jane]. A handsome first edition of <i>Sense and Sensibility,</i> the author's first novel. $60,000 to $80,000.")
![<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.")
