Sections from Diderot's Encyclopédie from Sotheran's
- by Michael Stillman
Frontispiece for the section on surgery.
Item 48. Surgery. Eighteenth century baking might still be acceptable today, but not surgery from that era. Nevertheless, this is what was available, and it was a step ahead of what had preceded it. Displayed are illustrations of instruments you would not want to experience personally, such as saws, grinders, drills, shears and scalpels. Detailed views of operations on the eyes, bladder, and reproductive organs are provided. It even has its own frontispiece illustration, an angelic scene not at all reminiscent of the reality of 18th century surgery. Text includes several papers by Antoine Louis, a French surgeon who also designed the first prototype of the guillotine. In all, there are 55 pages of text and 45 plates. £3,650 (US $5,990).
Item 101. Ornithology. Drawings of birds are the feature of some of the most desirable books of the 19th century, including artists such as Audubon and Gould. The Encyclopédie provided a section with numerous such illustrations much earlier. The 39 pages of description plus six text sheets offer information about birds in general, specific species, bird anatomy, etc. The 21 plates realistically display numerous birds, including some now scarce or endangered. £2,750 (US $4,511).
Item 156. Saddler and Carriage Maker. There are 7 pages of text with 25 plates depicting carriages and saddles. The carriage drawings contain great detail, looking very much like early automobiles but for the lack of an engine. £2,850 (US $4,676).
Freeman’s, August 20. President Washington Reaffirms the US Treaty of Friendship and Peace with Morocco, the Longest Unbroken Treaty in US History. $50,000 – 80,000.
Freeman’s, August 20. Weeks After Victory at Yorktown, Benjamin Franklin Promises Repayment of a French Loan that Funded the American Revolution. $200,000 – 300,000.
Freeman’s, August 20. Rare First Edition of the Foundational Text of the Mormon Church. $100,000 – 150,000.
Freeman’s, August 20. President Washington Sends the First Major Law Passed by Congress, the Tariff Act of 1789. $100,000 – 150,000.
Freeman’s, August 20. A Scarce Example of Audubon's Depiction of a Brown Pelican, Plate CCLI from his Birds of America. $30,000 – 50,000.
Freeman’s, August 20. The Official and First Obtainable Broadside Printing of the Lincoln's Final Emancipation Proclamation. $30,000 – 50,000.
