Bizarre, Eccentric and Strange Books from Garrett Scott
Little People on cover of Garrett Scott's catalogue.
By Michael Stillman
There are probably no more entertaining book catalogues than those of Garrett Scott, Bookseller. Scott has a knack for finding the eclectic, unusual, ridiculous, and just plain bad. One thing for certain is that few books are common, many having been privately printed, and for obvious reasons. If you are looking for scientific theories that weren't even close to being accurate, eccentric religion, weird occurrences, and, of course, bad poetry, here is the place. Of course we all know the difference between bad and good poetry is the former is entertaining, the latter boring, so read on to learn of just a few of the unusual items Garrett Scott has to offer. And, yes, there are even a few rational, intelligent titles within this catalogue.
Thomas Buddington was a medium, who evidently conversed with the late physicist Michael Faraday shortly before publishing this book in the late 19th century. The title is Dissolution or Physical Death, and How Spirit Chemists Produce Materialization. Scott described it as, "Two discourses from the spirit of deceased physicist Michael Faraday, who in life was a public opponent of spiritualism; his views evidently became more liberal after his death." Nothing like death to show the error of your ways. Item 36. Priced at $35.
Adam Couse provided us with much wisdom, even if he is unappreciated today. His work was The New Philosophy of Being and Existence published in Detroit in 1883. Couse was a 74-year-old music publisher and instrument salesman who moonlighted as a philosopher. Speaking of the tri-unity of man, Couse explains, "But, if Matter is of Eternity, uncreated - then life is a result of Matter - and Mind is an elimination of Pork and Beans." I thought I was following his point right until the very end. Item 43. $75.
Here is an item that collectors of our 15th President, James Buchanan, may have missed. It is actually a book to help people learn German, but it comes with an odd recommendation from then Senator Buchanan. The title is English Colloquial Phrases, Alphabetically Arranged, with a Free Translation into German by Moritz Ertheiler, published in Lancaster, Pennsylvania (by the author) in 1843. If you wonder how Buchanan could be such a successful politician despite being incompetent for the high office he held, listen to his words: "I am not sufficiently acquainted with the German language to form a judgment for myself on the merits of your 'Book of Colloquial Phrases,' yet I feel no hesitation in recommending it to public patronage." Spoken like a true politician. Item 52. $75.
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…
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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.
![<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.")
![<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.")
