Rare Book Monthly

Book Catalogue Reviews - June - 2018 Issue

Literature, Illustrated Books, Books About Books, Arts and More from L & T Respess Books

Many topics from L & T Respess.

L & T Respess Books has issued their List 312: English & American Literature, Books About Books, Illustrated Books, the Arts Fine and Decorative. That covers a lot of ground. Maybe not everything could appear herein, but the variety is far too wide to pinpoint. We will provide a few samples, but it will only touch the surface of the over 200 listings to be found.

 

We will place this first item with the illustrated books. The title is The Glass Giant of Palomar, by David O. Woodbury. It is the first British edition, from 1940 (the year after the first American) and is inscribed by the author. Woodbury wrote numerous science-related books during the middle of the twentieth century. Palomar is the Palomar Observatory in the mountains outside of San Diego; the glass giant their original telescope. It was the largest in the world at the time, though it has long been supplanted. It remained the largest until a second telescope was built at Palomar in 1948, and Palomar continued to hold the largest telescope until 1976. Some upgrades have been made, but the original is still in use. The book includes numerous illustrations of this then wondrous device. Item 10. Priced at $125.

 

The next two books feature the same writer/editor, but they are as different as two books can be. We begin with Printing and the Mind of Man, edited by John Carter and Percy H. Muir. Published in 1967, it was based on an exhibition in 1963 that looked at the role printing had played in the growth in human knowledge. It begins with books five centuries earlier, and if you compare the expansion of knowledge in the 500 years since printing was developed, compared to the 1,000 years before, the role of printing becomes obvious and overwhelming. It describes 424 titles, and there is no greater compliment to a book's importance than to be able to list that it appeared in Printing and the Mind of Man. Item 29. $150.

 

From the sublime we go to whatever is the anti-sublime. John Carter and Graham Pollard combined to create this 1934 book, An Enquiry into the Nature of Certain Nineteenth Century Pamphlets. Perhaps some of these pamphlets might have qualified for Printing and the Mind of Man, if only... Thomas Wise, along with Harry Buxton Forman, discovered previously unknown first editions by great writers such as Dickens, Tennyson, Kipling, and the Brownings. The problem was they weren't. They were forgeries. Sometimes they would create "true" first editions of stories that were first published in magazines, previously unknown supposed printings. They carried this on for four decades, although suspicions arose along the way. Finally, it was Carter and Pollard's book that blew the whistle on Wise and Forman. It was particularly disconcerting because Wise was also a noted, and for the most part, legitimate bibliographer, but he threw his fake books into his bibliographies to make them appear real. Item 28. $125.

 

Next we have a romantic novel which may not be regarded as one of the greatest ever written, but it is one of the most important. It is sort of a mini-version of Uncle Tom's Cabin. Helen Hunt Jackson was an obscure writer, not surprising since she wrote anonymously, in the years after the Civil War. She wrote poetry which earned the respect of Ralph Waldo Emerson and others, along with three anonymous novels. In 1879 she went to a lecture by a Chief of the Ponca tribe, and learned of their forced removal from their Nebraska reservation to Indian Territory (part of today's Oklahoma). The climate was poor, they suffered from disease. Mrs. Jackson was outraged and began investigating the situation. The result was a serious book entitled A Century of Dishonor. It is a history of broken treaties. To make sure those in authority knew this history, she sent a copy to every member of Congress (we have no idea how many read it). She agitated for better treatment of America's natives, but those natives engendered little sympathy in the country. It was then that Mrs. Jackson came up with a better idea as to how to reach the hearts of the populace. She would write a novel, a romance that people would like to read, which would also inform. She visited southern California, where she wrote a novel of the difficulties of an orphan half-Indian girl, who grows up to marry an Indian man. It was a great success and did much to inform the public of the natives' plight. It may not have reached the heights of influence of Harriet Beecher Stowe's story, but it was still an important force in changing the hearts of at least some of the population. Item 122 is a copy of that novel, Ramona, a Story, published in 1884. Helen Jackson planned to write more, but unfortunately, she died the following year. $300.

 

The author of this next book has a couple of presidential names. Item 78 is Special People, by Julie Nixon Eisenhower, published in 1977. Julie Eisenhower is the daughter of President Nixon, who married the grandson of President Eisenhower. This is no Profiles in Courage by JFK, but it is Ms. Nixon Eisenhower's recollections of meeting some significant people as a result of her family ties. There are six diverse subjects, Mao Tse-Tung, Golda Meier, Mamie Eisenhower, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Ruth (Mrs. Billy) Graham, and a young Prince (maybe some day King?) Charles. This copy is inscribed, "For Senator and Mrs. Long, With all good wishes from Julie Nixon Eisenhower." Senator Long was Russell Long, brother of the legendary Huey Long. He served in the senate forever (actually, it was only from 1948-1987). $20.

 

Next we have one of several books from one man's bizarre crusade against football at his alma mater, Yale University. George F. Gundelfinger, a 1906 graduate of Yale, wrote some books and plays before taking on his bizarre crusade. Item 225 is The Decay of Bulldogism: "Secret" Chapters in Yale Football History, published in 1930 (an earlier Gundelfinger diatribe against Yale football is also available in this catalogue). This is a compilation of his earlier writings, including magazine articles. Somehow, the moral decay at Yale was tied into its losing football team, which he wanted abolished. This copy comes with a 1948 pamphlet that updates his exposes. He continued his crusade into the 1950s. Gundelfinger taught mathematics at Yale from 1909-1913, but eventually the university ended up suing him over his behavior. Later on, he flooded alumni with his writings about the decline in morality at the university, and he must have become a bit too graphic as he was convicted of obscenity. Beat Harvard. $200.

 

L & T Respess Books may be reached at 413-727-3435 or respessbooks@cstone.net.

Rare Book Monthly

  • Sotheby’s
    Fine Books and Manuscripts
    8 December 2023
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 8: [Austen, Jane] — Isaac D'Israeli. Jane Austen's copy of Curiosities of Literature. 100,000 - 150,000 USD
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 8: [Austen, Jane]. A handsome first edition in boards of the author's debut novel. 70,000 - 100,000 USD
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 8: Brontë, Charlotte. "I am no bird; and no net ensnares me..." 100,000 - 150,000 USD
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 8: Eliot, George. The author's magnum opus. 25,000 - 35,000 USD
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 8: Whitman, Walt. Manuscript written upon the Death of Lincoln, 1865. 60,000 - 80,000 USD
  • Sotheby’s
    Important Modern Literature from the Library of an American Filmmaker
    8 December 2023
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 8: Kerouac, Jack. Typescript scroll of The Dharma Bums. Typed by Kerouac in Orlando, Florida, 1957, published by Viking in 1958. 300,000 - 500,000 USD
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 8: Hemingway, Ernest. The autograph manuscript of "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber." [Key West, finished April 1936]. 300,000 - 500,000 USD
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 8: Miller, Henry. Typescript of The Last Book, a working title for Tropic of Cancer, written circa 1931–1932. 100,000 - 150,000 USD
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 8: Ruscha, Ed. Twentysix Gasoline Stations, with a lengthy inscription to Joe Goode. 40,000 - 60,000 USD
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 8: Hemingway, Ernest. in our time, first edition of Hemingway’s second book. 30,000 - 50,000 USD
  • Swann
    Maps & Atlases, Natural History & Color Plate Books
    December 7, 2023
    Swann, Dec. 7: Samuel Augustus Mitchell, A New Map of Texas, Oregon and California with the Regions Adjoining, Philadelphia, 1846. $3,500 to $5,000.
    Swann, Dec. 7: 17th–19th-century case maps of various locations. $1,500 to $2,000.
    Swann, Dec. 7: Andreas Cellarius, Haemisphaerium Stellatum Boreale Cum Subiecto Haemisphaerio Terrestri, celestial chart, Amsterdam, 1708. $2,500 to $3,500.
    Swann
    Maps & Atlases, Natural History & Color Plate Books
    December 7, 2023
    Swann, Dec. 7: Vincenzo Coronelli, Set of engraved gores for Coronelli’s monumental 42-inch terrestrial globe, Venice, circa 1688–97. $18,000 to $22,000.
    Swann, Dec. 7: Lucas Janszoon Waghenaer, group of four navigational charts, Antwerp, 1580s. $2,000 to $3,000.
    Swann, Dec. 7: Thomas Bros, Block Book of Berkeley, Oakland, 1920s. $800 to $1,200.
    Swann
    Maps & Atlases, Natural History & Color Plate Books
    December 7, 2023
    Swann, Dec. 7: John Nieuhoff & John Ogilby, An Embassy from the East-India Company of the United Provinces, map of China, plan of Canton, London, 1673. $1,200 to $1,800.
    Swann, Dec. 7: Frederick Sander, Reichenbachia, St. Albans, 1888-1894. $5,000 to $7,000.
    Swann, Dec. 7: Two early illustrated works on horsemanship and breeding, Nuremberg, early 18th century. $700 to $800.
    Swann
    Maps & Atlases, Natural History & Color Plate Books
    December 7, 2023
    Swann, Dec. 7: John Gould, A Monograph of the Ramphastidae, or Family of Toucans. Supplement to the First Edition, London, 1834; 1855. $40,000 to $60,000.
    Swann, Dec. 7: John Pinkerton, A General Collection of the Best and Most Interesting Voyages and Travels in All Parts of the World, London, 1808–14. $1,500 to $2,500.
    Swann, Dec. 7: Oakley Hoopes Bailey, Hackensack, New Jersey, Boston, 1896. $800 to $1,200.
  • CHRISTIE’S
    Valuable Books and Manuscripts
    London auction
    13 December
    Find out more
    Christie’s, Explore now
    TREW, Christoph Jacob (1695–1769). Plantae Selectae quarum imagines ad exemplaria naturalia Londini in hortus curiosorum. [Nuremberg: 1750–1773]. £30,000–40,000
    Christie’s, Explore now
    VERBIEST, Ferdinand (1623–88). Liber Organicus Astronomiae Europaeae apud Sinas restituate. [Beijing: Board of Astronomy, 1674]. £250,000–350,000
    Christie’s, Explore now
    PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF ALICE & NIKOLAUS HARNONCOURT. Master of Jean Rolin (active 1445–65). Book of Hours, use of Paris, in Latin and French, [Paris, c.1450–1460]. £120,000–180,000
    Christie’s, Explore now
    A SILVER MICROSCOPE. Probably by Antoni van Leeuwenhoek (1632–1723), c.1700. £150,000–250,000
    Christie’s, Explore now
    AN ENGLISH HORARY QUADRANT
    C.1311. £100,000–150,000
  • Fonsie Mealy’s, Dec. 12-13: Roberts (David) & Croly (George). The Holy Land, Syria, Idumae, Arabia, Egypt and Nubia. Lond. 1842 - 1843 [-49]. First Edn. €10,000 to €15,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Dec. 12-13: Incunabula: O'Fihily (Maurice). Duns Scotus Joannes: O'Fihely, Maurice Abp… Venice, 20th November 1497. €8,000 to €12,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Dec. 12-13: An important file of documents with provenance to G.A. Newsom, manager of the Jacob’s Factory in Dublin, occupied by insurgents during Easter Week 1916. €6,000 to €9,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Dec. 12-13: WILDE (Oscar), 1854-1900, playwright, aesthete and wit. A lock of Wilde’s Hair, presented by his son to the distinguished Irish actor Mícheál MacLiammóir. €6,000 to €8,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Dec. 12-13: Heaney (Seamus). Bog Poems, London, 1975. Special Limited Edition, No. 33 of 150 Copies, Signed by Author. Illus. by Barrie Cooke. €4,000 to €6,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Dec. 12-13: Binding: Burke, Thomas O.P. (de Burgo). Hibernia Dominicana, Sive Historia Provinciae Hiberniae Ordinis Praedicatorum, ... 1762. First Edition. €4,000 to €6,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Dec. 12-13: COLLINS, Michael. An important TL, 29 July 1922, addressed to GOVERNMENT on ‘suggested Proclamation warning all concerned that troops have orders to shoot prisoners found sniping, ambushing etc.’. €3,000 to €4,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Dec. 12-13: Scott Fitzgerald (F.) The Great Gatsby, New York (Charles Scribner's Sons) 1925, First Edn. €2,000 to €3,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Dec. 12-13: Yeats (W.B.) The Poems of W.B. Yeats, 2 vols. Lond. (MacMillan & Co.) 1949. Limited Edition, No. 46 of 375 Copies Only, Signed by W.B. Yeats. €1,500 to €2,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Dec. 12-13: Miller (William) Publisher. The Costume of the Russian Empire, Description in English and French, Lg. folio London (S. Gosnell) 1803. First Edn. €1,000 to €1,500.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Dec. 12-13: Miller (William) Publisher. The Costume of Turkey, Illustrated by a Series of Engravings. Lg. folio Lond.(T. Bensley) 1802. First Edn. €800 to €1,200.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Dec. 12-13: Mason (Geo. Henry). The Costume of China, Illustrated with Sixty Engravings. Lg. folio London (for W. Miller) 1800. First Edn. €1,400 to €1,800

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