Rare Book Monthly

Book Catalogue Reviews - December - 2015 Issue

Recent Acquisitions from Jonathan A. Hill Bookseller

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Recent acquisitions.

Jonathan A. Hill Bookseller has released a new catalogue of Mostly Recent Acquisitions. Hill covers material from a variety of fields, but not everything. This is not a miscellania. You won't find much fiction or many recent books in this selection. These are serious, often scholarly works, with but a few exceptions, from the 19th century and earlier. Many of these are scientific books, while others cover topics such as medicine, architecture, mathematics, mining, and natural history. There are also numerous books about books, including a substantial collection of auction catalogues from the sales of large libraries in the 18th and early 19th century. Titles are spread through a variety of languages, notably English, French, German, and Latin. These are a few samples of what will be found within this latest collection.

 

Benjamin Franklin was America's greatest scientist of the 18th century, along with all of the many other things he did. If ever there was a man for which the word "polymath" was invented, it was Franklin. Item 50 is a copy of his Oeuvres... (works), the first French edition of Franklin's collected works on electricity. It was published in 1773. While based on the 1769 fourth edition of Franklin's Experiments and Observations on Electricity, it contains material not in the English language editions. As such, it was the most complete early version of Franklin's scientific writings. It includes correspondence between Franklin and Jacques Barbeu-Dubourg. Dubourg was a French physician and botanist who also served as Franklin's translator. Their correspondence includes discussions of numerous other topics, including ventilation, swimming, inoculation, acoustics, meteors, the cause of common colds, magnetism and its relation to electricity, and another particularly associated with Franklin – stoves. Priced at $7,500.

 

Here is the first account of an important process for the preservation of food that changed the way we eat, and undoubtedly saved countless lives along the way. It is a French book, entitled L'Art de conserver, pendant plusiers Années, toutes les Substances animales et vegetables (the art of preserving, for many years, all animal and vegetable products). The author of this 1810 text was Nicolas Appert, known as the "father of canning." Technically, he didn't "can" his food. He used glass bottles, but the principle was the same. Appert discovered that he could preserve all sorts of food by putting it in wide-mouthed bottles, sealing them tightly with cork and sealing wax, and then placing the bottles in boiling water long enough for the food to thoroughly heat through. His discovery was of enormous benefit, particularly for explorers sent to far off places for years (they tended to use cans, which when sealed with lead, had dangers not possessed by Appert's bottles). It would be another 50 years before Louis Pasteur would come up with his pasteurization process for milk, and an explanation why it worked. Appert didn't know about bacteria. He just knew that his process could preserve perishable food for an indefinite amount of time. Item 5. $2,750.

 

Item 74 is an account of the building of a great, though star-crossed bridge: The Quebec Bridge over the St. Lawrence River near the City of Quebec on the Line of the Canadian National Railways. Report of the Government Board of Engineers. Published in 1918, it includes a text volume and a plate volume with 111 plates. The Quebec Bridge is still the longest cantilever bridge in the world. After decades of proposals and plans, construction finally began in 1903. Everything was proceeding along fine until the bridge was nearing completion. At that time, some of the steel began to show signs of bending, and it was realized the weight was greater than anticipated. Unfortunately, before the extent of the problem was realized, the bridge suddenly collapsed, taking just 15 second to fall into the St. Lawrence below. Seventy-five workers lost their lives. It took a few years, but a new plan was created and construction on a second Quebec Bridge commenced. Then, in 1916, as the central span was being lifted into place, it too fell into the river, taking 13 more lives along with it. A replacement central structure was built and the bridge finally completed in 1917. Thankfully, it has stood ever since. This extensive report by the Board of Engineers includes information and photographs of the earlier collapsed bridge as well as the successful finale. $1,250.

 

One good bridge deserves another. Item 28 is Die neue Ludwigsbrucke in Bamberg, published in 1830.This is a second edition of a celebration of the newly constructed bridge over the Regnitz at Bamburg, completed in 1829. It was the first suspension bridge built in Bavaria, and only the second in Germany. This second edition improved on the first, with more detailed plates. The new bridge replaced an earlier wooden one. It was itself replaced in 1889. $2,250.

 

Sir Thomas Phillipps was perhaps the greatest collector ever, at least in terms of volume. He hoped to have a copy of every book and manuscript in existence, and likely came as close anyone to achieving his goal. He also did some publishing at Middle Hill, his home which housed his collection, often piled to the ceilings. One more thing – Phillipps was something of a bigot. He was anti-Catholic. I am not sure whether this was in spite of, or because of his Catholic son-in-law, James Halliwell. Halliwell was an antiquarian scholar and book collector himself, whom Phillipps graciously invited into his home for research. However, when Halliwell asked to marry his daughter, Phillipps became enraged. Halliwell had come under suspicion of stealing some books. There were even suspicions he had stolen from Phillipps. He sold some stolen books, but claimed to have purchased them from a bookseller. Eventually, the charges were dropped. Halliwell and Henrietta Phillipps eloped against the wishes of her father. Phillipps refused to have anything to do with either one for the rest of his life. In his will, Phillipps required that his collection, left in the care of a younger daughter, could never be viewed by Halliwell, his older daughter, nor any other Catholic. Item 72 is an item that came off of Phillipps' Middle Hill Press in 1869, three years before he died: An Ex-Catholic Priest's Opinion of the Church of Rome. It was not a high opinion. $250.

 

Jonathan A. Hill Bookseller may be reached at 646-827-0724 or or jahillbooks@aol.com. The website is www.jonathanahill.com

Rare Book Monthly

  • <center><b>Forum Auctions<br>Fine Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper<br>30th March 2023</b>
    <b>Forum, Mar. 30:</b> Roman binding.- Pindar. <i>Olympia, Pythia, Nemea, Isthmia,</i> translated by Johannes Lonicer, contemporary Roman binding by Niccolo Franzese, Basel, 1535. £40,000 to £60,000.
    <b>Forum, Mar. 30:</b> Raverat (Gwen). Comprehensive album of 530 wood engravings, circa 1909-1950. £40,000 to £60,000.
    <b>Forum, Mar. 30:</b> Hemingway (Ernest). <i>Fiesta,</i> first English edition, first impression dust-jacket, 1927. £15,000 to £20,000.
    <center><b>Forum Auctions<br>Fine Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper<br>30th March 2023</b>
    <b>Forum, Mar. 30:</b> Fleming (Ian). <i>Casino Royale,</i> first edition, first impression, 1953. £12,000 to £18,000.
    <b>Forum, Mar. 30:</b> Dickens (Charles). <i>Great Expectations,</i> 3 vol., first edition, first impression, Chapman and Hall, 1861. £10,000 to £15,000.
    <b>Forum, Mar. 30:</b> Campbell (Colen) & others. <i>Vitruvius Britannicus, or The British Architect...,</i> 5 vol., vol.1-3 later editions, vol.4 & 5 first editions, [?1731]-31-67-71. £10,000 to £15,000.
    <center><b>Forum Auctions<br>Fine Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper<br>30th March 2023</b>
    <b>Forum, Mar. 30:</b> Geography.- Mela (Pomponius). <i>Cosmographia, sive De situ orbis,</i> Venice, Franciscus Renner de Heilbronn, 1478. £8,000 to £12,000.
    <b>Forum, Mar. 30:</b> America.- [?Espinosa y Tello (José)]. <i>Relacion del Viage hecho por las Goletas Sutil y Mexicana en el Año de 1792,</i> 2 vol. including Atlas, first edition, Madrid, 1802. £8,000 to £12,000.
    <b>Forum, Mar. 30:</b> Australasia.- Péron (Francois) and Louis-Claude de Saulces de Freycinet. <i>Voyage de Découvertes aux Terres Australes,</i> 5 vol. including Atlas, second edition, Paris, 1824. £8,000 to £12,000.
    <center><b>Forum Auctions<br>Fine Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper<br>30th March 2023</b>
    <b>Forum, Mar. 30:</b> Botany.- Curtis (William). <i>The Botanical Magazine; or, Flower-Garden Displayed,</i> 83 vol. in 62, 1794-1956. £8,000 to £12,000.
    <b>Forum, Mar. 30:</b> Darwin (Charles).- Lecky (W.E.H.) <i>The Rise and Influence of Rationalism in Europe,</i> 2 vol., Darwin's copy with inscription "Charles Darwin 1865", pencil marginalia and pencil notes, 1865. £7,000 to £10,000.
  • <b><center>Swann Auction Galleries<br>Printed & Manuscript African Americana:<br>March 30, 2023</b>
    <b>Swann March 30:</b> Victor H. Green, <i>The Negro Motorist Green Book,</i> New York, 1949. $10,000 to $15,000.
    <b>Swann March 30:</b> Papers of pianist-composer Lawrence Brown relating to Paul Robeson & more, various places, 1925-54. $5,000 to $7,500.
    <b>Swann March 30:</b> Freedom Summer archive of civil rights activist Karen Haberman Trusty, Atlanta & elsewhere, 1963-64. $5,000 to $7,500.
    <b>Swann March 30:</b> E. Simms Campbell, <i>A Night-Club Map of Harlem,</i> New York, 1933. $8,000 to $12,000.
    <b>Swann March 30:</b> Archive of letters from the sculptor Richmond Barthé to a close Jamaican friend, various places, 1966-85. $25,000 to $35,000.
  • <b><center>Koller Auctions<br>Books & Autographs<br>29 March 2023</b>
    <b>Koller, Mar. 29:</b> DADA - <i>Cabaret Voltaire.</i> A collection of artistic and literary contributions. Edited by Hugo Ball. CHF 5,000 to 8,000.
    <b>Koller, Mar. 29:</b> EXPRESSIONISM - <i>Der Sturm.</i> Weekly magazine for culture and the arts. Almost complete suite from the years 1910 to 1932. CHF 20,000 to 30,000.
    <b>Koller, Mar. 29:</b> LISBON EARTHQUAKE - <i>Augsburg collection of copper engravings of Lisbon. CHF 40,000 to 60,000.
    <b>Koller, Mar. 29:</b> Hamilton, William. <i>Campi Phlegraei. Observations on the Volcanos of the Two Sicilies as they have been communicated to the Royal Society of London.</i> Naples, 1776-1779. CHF 50,000 to 70,000.
    <b><center>Koller Auctions<br>Books & Autographs<br>29 March 2023</b>
    <b>Koller, Mar. 29:</b> Leonardi, Domenico Felice. <i>Le Delizie della villa di Castellazzo descritte in verso dall'abbate Domenico Felice Leonardi lucchese fra gli Arcadi Ildosio Foloetico.</i> Milan, 1743. CHF 12,000 to 18,000.
    <b>Koller, Mar. 29:</b> Zwingli, Huldrych. <i>Von erkiesen und freyhait der speisen. Von ergernusz und Verbößerung. Ob man gewalt hab die speyß zu etlichen zeyten verbieten [...]</i>. CHF 2,500 to 4,000.
    <b>Koller, Mar. 29:</b> HENDRIK VAN VULLENHOE, UMKREIS. Benedictional and other texts for Johannes von Venningen, Bishop of Basel. Latin manuscript on parchment. CHF 50,000 to 80,000.
    <b>Koller, Mar. 29:</b> Gujer, Hans Rudolf. Master typist's book by Hans Rudolf Gujer from Wermetschweil (Wermatswil). German manuscript on paper. CHF 3,000 to 5,000.
  • <b><center>Stargardt Autographenhandlung<br>Autographs: Literature, Music, Art, Science, History, Theatre & Film<br>March 28, 2023</b>
    <b>Stargardt Autographenhandlung, Mar. 28:</b> Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: Autograph album leaf signed, 1826. €9,000 to €12,000.
    <b>Stargardt Autographenhandlung, Mar. 28:</b> Franz Kafka: Autograph letter unsigned, 1924. €15,000 to €20,000.
    <b>Stargardt Autographenhandlung, Mar. 28:</b> Torquato Tasso: Autograph poem signed, no date. €12,000 to €16,000.
    <b><center>Stargardt Autographenhandlung<br>Autographs: Literature, Music, Art, Science, History, Theatre & Film<br>March 28, 2023</b>
    <b>Stargardt Autographenhandlung, Mar. 28:</b> Charles Darwin: Autograph letter signed, 1866. €4,500 to €6,000.
    <b>Stargardt Autographenhandlung, Mar. 28:</b> Albert Einstein: Autograph letter signed, 1933. €6,000 to €8,000.
    <b>Stargardt Autographenhandlung, Mar. 28:</b> Heinrich Hertz: Autograph manuscript signed, 1889. €18,000 to €24,000.
    <b><center>Stargardt Autographenhandlung<br>Autographs: Literature, Music, Art, Science, History, Theatre & Film<br>March 28, 2023</b>
    <b>Stargardt Autographenhandlung, Mar. 28:</b> Giambattista Bodoni: Autograph letter signed, 1787. €900 to €1,200.
    <b>Stargardt Autographenhandlung, Mar. 28:</b> Francisco de Goya: Autograph letter signed, 1789. €18,750 to €25,000.
    <b>Stargardt Autographenhandlung, Mar. 28:</b> Martin Luther: Notes from his desk, no date. €30,000 to €40,000.
    <b><center>Stargardt Autographenhandlung<br>Autographs: Literature, Music, Art, Science, History, Theatre & Film<br>March 28, 2023</b>
    <b>Stargardt Autographenhandlung, Mar. 28:</b> Ludwig van Beethoven: Autograph letter signed, 1816. €22,500 to €30,000.
    <b>Stargardt Autographenhandlung, Mar. 28:</b> Gustav Mahler: Foto portrait signed and annotated, 1907(?). €7,500 to €10,000.
    <b>Stargardt Autographenhandlung, Mar. 28:</b> Bed?ich Smetana: Autograph letter signed, 1883. €4,500 to €6,000.

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