Here is a book like none of the others, yet it too belongs in a “great books” collection. Item 70 is the rare 1957 first edition of Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat. Seuss' characters had been around for many years, but this book is probably his best known. Many people had come to realize one of the problems in getting young children to read was that reading was usually presented in the most unappealing of formats, “Dick and Jane” type readers. Seuss made reading fun, and generations of children have been reading his imaginative books ever since. $20,000.
We will conclude with a man of greatness. Item 79 is The Photographs of Abraham Lincoln, collected by Frederick Meserve and published in 1911. Meserve believed that by showing many images of Lincoln, displayed in chronological order over the course of his life, he could help capture the essence of the great man. It also includes photographs of Lincoln's wife and children, members of his administration, and scenes from the memorial at Gettysburg the day of Lincoln's most famous address. Offered is copy 26 of the limited edition of 100, signed by Meserve. It belonged to Daniel Chester French, the sculptor who created the massive sculpture of the President in the Lincoln Memorial. He used this book in designing the Lincoln sculpture. It also contains a later inscription by French's daughter, who gave the book to Stefan Lorant, who also published a book of Lincoln photographs in 1941. $25,000.
Bauman Rare Books has locations in New York, Philadelphia, and Las Vegas. They may be reached at 800-972-2862 or brb@baumanrarebooks.com. Their website is found at www.baumanrarebooks.com.
