Rare Book Monthly

Book Catalogue Reviews - May - 2015 Issue

Manuscripts and Archives from the William Reese Company

Manuscripts & Archives.

Manuscripts & Archives.

The William Reese Company recently issued their 320th catalogue, this latest selection entitled Manuscripts & Archives. They range from U.S. Presidents and other notable leaders to everyday soldiers writing home from the fields of war. In terms of timing, we find a document from a British political and naval leader instrumental in setting up the Plymouth colony, to a large collection of photographs from the Vietnam War. That said, most items come from the 18th or 19th century. The bulk are American in origin, but not exclusively so. Here are a few samples of what Reese is offering.

 

After a not particularly satisfying stint as Washington's Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson “retired” to his plantation at Monticello. Jefferson had been deeply involved in his new nation's revolution, being the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, and in its formation once that independence was won. But, by the end of 1793, he was weary, and turned his focus to farming, seemingly putting the burdens and intrigue of politics behind him. On September 23, 1795, Jefferson wrote a lengthy letter to his friend, Elizabeth Trist. Always deeply involved in political affairs in the past, he writes, “I read but little, take no newspapers, that I may not have the tranquility of mind disturbed by their falsehoods & follies, and I have it in contemplation next to banish pen, ink, & paper from my farm.” That was quite a statement from a voracious reader and writer like Jefferson. Of course, we all know it couldn't last. The following year, he would run for President, be elected Vice-President instead, with that followed by two terms as President. Only then would Jefferson finally retire. Item 48. Priced at $35,000.

 

Not all Presidents achieve the same level of greatness as Thomas Jefferson. Here is one who did not. Item 104 is a letter from John Tyler, written to Secretary of State Daniel Webster. In it, Tyler recommends a Mississippi lawyer for the post of District Attorney. The lawyer's primary qualification was that he pushed Tyler's name for the Whig candidacy for Vice-President, to which he was elected, and from which he succeeded to the office of President. Indeed, this letter was written while Tyler was Vice-President, which makes it uncommon. Just as letters from William Henry Harrison as President are scarce as he only served one month before dying in office, Tyler's term as Vice-President was equally short before he was elevated to that higher office. $4,750.

 

One bad President deserves another. James Buchanan spent half of his life conniving to become President. At the age of 65, he finally succeeded, and turned out to be one of the worst we ever had. He couldn't wait to leave Washington when his term ended, the nation falling apart. His last unsuccessful attempt came in 1852. Buchanan, who would finally be nominated in 1856, would vie for the Democratic nomination with Lewis Cass, the 1848 nominee, Stephen A. Douglas, who would be nominated in 1860, New York's William Marcy and several lesser candidates. In this letter to his ally, Pittsburgh Mayor David Lynch, he speaks about his two major competitors. Of Cass, he agrees with some presumably uncomplimentary comments expressed by Lynch, but discourages comments against him on Buchanan's behalf. He notes that some of Cass' supporters like him too and he does not want to do anything to antagonize them. Of Douglas, he says he is not as objectionable as Cass, though he does not approve of all of Douglas' conduct or that of his friends. In a somewhat backhanded compliment, Buchanan writes, “With a few years of good training, he would make an excellent President.” Of Winfield Scott, who would become the Whig Party nominee, Buchanan writes derisively that he says one thing in the North and another in the South (as if any national candidate at the time did not do this). Left out of Buchanan's comments is eventual nominee Franklin Pierce. No one knew he would be a contender at the time. He received no votes at the convention until the 35th ballot, and was finally selected on the 49th as a compromise when none of the leading candidates could secure enough votes to win the nomination. Item 16. $9,000.

 

Utah's first printing press wasn't used to print books, or pamphlets, or newspapers. It was used to print something more valuable – money. Item 106 is what is known as a “Valley Note,” in this case, one for $2.00, printed in Salt Lake City in 1849. It has the printed heading G.S.L. City, Jan, 20, 1849. The note has been signed by Brigham Young. It was also signed by Heber C. Kimball and Thomas Bullock, and was issued to Bishop N.K. Whitney. The Municipal Council decided to issue these notes for gold dust, as that currency was hard to handle, being subject to slight loss whenever used. It is believed that currency was the first item printed on the first Utah press and was first printed in January 1849. Brigham H. Young, the then 25-year-old nephew of Brigham Young, is believed to have been the printer. Item 106. $3,500.

 

The William Reese Company may be reached at 203-789-8081 or amorder@reeseco.com. Their website is www.williamreesecompany.com.

Rare Book Monthly

  • Fonsie Mealy’s
    Rare Books & Collectors’ Sale
    April 30th & May 1st
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Apr 30-May 1: Taylor (Geo.) & Skinner (A.) Maps of the Roads of Ireland, Surveyed 1777. Lond. & Dublin 1778. €500 to €750.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Apr 30-May 1: Messingham (Thos.) Florilegium Insulae Sanctorum seu Vitae et Acta Sanctorum Hibernia, Paris 1624. €350 to €500.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Apr 30-May 1: Heaney (Seamus). The Haw Lantern, L. (Faber & Faber) 1987, First Edn., Signed and dated. €225 to €350.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Apr 30-May 1: Valencey (Lt. Col. Chas.) Collectanea de Rebus Hibernicis, Vols. I-IV, 4 vols. Dublin 1786. €400 to €600.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Apr 30-May 1: Powerscourt (Viscount). A Description and History of Powerscourt, Lond. 1903. €350 to €500.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Apr 30-May 1: Moryson (Fynes). An Itinerary ... Containing His Ten Yeeres Travel Through the Twelve Dominions of Germany, Bohermerland, Sweitzerland…, Lond. (John Beale) 1617. €700 to €1,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Apr 30-May 1: After Buffon, Birds of Europe, c. 1820. Approx. 120 fine hd. cold. plts., mor. backed boards. €125 to €250.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Apr 30-May 1: Dunlevy (Andrew). An Teagasg Criosduidhe De Reir Ceasda agus Freagartha... The Catechism or Christian Doctrine by Way of Question and Answer, Paris (James Guerin) 1742. €400 to €700.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Apr 30-May 1: The Georgian Society Records of Eighteen-Century Domestic Architecture in Dublin, 5 vols. Complete, Dublin 1909-1913. €500 to €750.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Apr 30-May 1: Scale (Bernard). An Hibernian Atlas or General Description of the Kingdom of Ireland, L. (Robert Sayer & John Bennet) 1776. €625 to €850.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Apr 30-May 1: [Johnson (Rev. Samuel)]. Julian the Apostate Being a Short Account of his Life, together with a Comparison of Popery and Paganism,L. (Langley Curtis) 1682. €300 to €400.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Apr 30-May 1: Nichlson (Wm.) Illustrator. An Almanac of Twelve Sports, Lond. 1898. €300 to €400.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Apr 30-May 1: Heaney (Seamus) trans. The Light of the Leaves, 2 vols., Mexico (Imprenta de los Tropicos/Bunholt) 1999. €1,500 to €2,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Apr 30-May 1: Fleming (Ian). Moonraker, L. (Jonathan Cape) 1955. €1,500 to €2,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Apr 30-May 1: Heaney (Seamus) & Egan (Felim) artist. Squarings, Twelve Poems, D. (Hieroglyph Editions Ltd.) 1991. €1,750 to €2,250.
  • Bonhams, Apr. 21-29: ANDERSEN'S EXTREMELY RARE FIRST APPEARANCE IN PRINT. "Scene af: Røverne i Vissenberg i Fyen." in Harpen, 1822.
    Bonhams, Apr. 21-29: FIRST ISSUE OF THE FIRST THREE FAIRY TALE PAMPHLETS, WITH ALL INDICES AND TITLE PAGES. Eventyr, fortalte for Børn. 1835-1837.
    Bonhams, Apr. 21-29: THE FIRST FAIRY TALES WITH A SIGNED CARTE DE VISITE OF ANDERSEN AS FRONTIS. Eventyr, fortalte for Børn. 1835-1837.
    Bonhams, Apr. 21-29: KARL LAGERFELD. Original pastel and ink drawing in gold, red and black for Andersen's The Emperor's New Clothes (1992), "La cassette de l'Empereur."
    Bonhams, Apr. 21-29: PRESENTATION COPY OF THE SIXTH PAMPHLET FOR PETER KOCH. Eventyr, Fortalte For Børn, Second Series, Third Pamphlet. 1841. Publisher's wrappers, complete with all pre- and post-matter.
    Bonhams, Apr. 21-29: HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN RARE AUTOGRAPH QUOTATION SIGNED IN ENGLISH from "The Ugly Duckling," c.1860s.
    Bonhams, Apr. 21-29: HEINRICH LEFLER, ORIGINAL WATERCOLOR FOR ANDERSEN'S SNOW QUEEN, "Die Schneekönigin," 1910.
    Bonhams, Apr. 21-29: FIRST EDITION OF ANDERSEN'S FAIRY TALES IN ENGLISH. Wonderful Stories for Children. London, 1846.
    Bonhams, Apr. 21-29: ANDERSEN ON MEETING CHARLES DICKENS. Autograph Letter Signed ("H.C. Andersen") in English to William Jerdan, July 20, 1847.
    Bonhams, Apr. 21-29: PRESENTATION COPY FOR EDGAR COLLIN. Nye Eventyr og Historier. Anden Raekke. 1861.
    Bonhams, Apr. 21-29: DOLL HOUSE FURNITURE BY HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSON, DECORATED WITH FANTASTICAL CUT-OUTS, for the children of Jonna Stampe (née Drewsen), his godchildren.
    Bonhams, Apr. 21-29: PRESENTATION COPY FOR GEORG BRANDES. Dryaden. Et Eventyr fra Udstillingstiden i Paris 1867. 1868.
  • Jeschke Jádi
    Rare Book Auction 155
    Saturday April 26, 2025
    Jeschke Jádi, Apr. 26: Lot 962. Baird. United States Exploring Expedition. Philadelphia 1858.
    Jeschke Jádi, Apr. 26: Lot 772. Edith Holland Norton. Brazilian Flowers. Coombe Croft 1893.
    Jeschke Jádi, Apr. 26: Lot 49. Petrarca. Das Gluecksbuch, Augsburg 1536.
    Jeschke Jádi
    Rare Book Auction 155
    Saturday April 26, 2025
    Jeschke Jádi, Apr. 26: Lot 1496. Jacob / Picasso. Chronique des Temps, 1956.
    Jeschke Jádi, Apr. 26: Lot 8. Augustinus. De moribus ecclesie. Cologne 1480.
    Jeschke Jádi, Apr. 26: Lot 17. Heures a lusaige de Noyon. Paris 1504.
    Jeschke Jádi
    Rare Book Auction 155
    Saturday April 26, 2025
    Jeschke Jádi, Apr. 26: Lot 13. Schedel. Buch der Chronicken. Nürnberg 1493.
    Jeschke Jádi, Apr. 26: Lot 957. Donovan. Insects of China. London 1798.
    Jeschke Jádi, Apr. 26: Lot 123. A holy martyr. Tuscany, Florence, mid-14th century.
    Jeschke Jádi
    Rare Book Auction 155
    Saturday April 26, 2025
    Jeschke Jádi, Apr. 26: Lot 438. Dante. La Divine Comédie. Paris 1963.
    Jeschke Jádi, Apr. 26: Lot 602. Firdausi. Histoire de Minoutchehr. Paris 1919
    Jeschke Jádi, Apr. 26: Lot 994. Westwood. Oriental Entomology. London 1848.
  • Sotheby's
    Sell Your Fine Books & Manuscripts
    Sotheby’s: The Shem Tov Bible, 1312 | A Masterpiece from the Golden Age of Spain. Sold: 6,960,000 USD
    Sotheby’s: Ten Commandments Tablet, 300-800 CE | One of humanity's earliest and most enduring moral codes. Sold: 5,040,000 USD
    Sotheby’s: William Blake | Songs of Innocence and of Experience. Sold: 4,320,000 USD
    Sotheby’s: The Declaration of Independence | The Holt printing, the only copy in private hands. Sold: 3,360,000 USD
    Sotheby's
    Sell Your Fine Books & Manuscripts
    Sotheby’s: Thomas Taylor | The original cover art for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Sold: 1,920,000 USD
    Sotheby’s: Machiavelli | Il Principe, a previously unrecorded copy of the book where modern political thought began. Sold: 576,000 GBP
    Sotheby’s: Leonardo da Vinci | Trattato della pittura, ca. 1639, a very fine pre-publication manuscript. Sold: 381,000 GBP
    Sotheby’s: Henri Matisse | Jazz, Paris 1947, the complete portfolio. Sold: 312,000 EUR

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