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Sotheby’s
Fine Books and Manuscripts
8 December 2023Sotheby’s, Dec. 8: [Austen, Jane] — Isaac D'Israeli. Jane Austen's copy of Curiosities of Literature. 100,000 - 150,000 USDSotheby’s, Dec. 8: [Austen, Jane]. A handsome first edition in boards of the author's debut novel. 70,000 - 100,000 USDSotheby’s, Dec. 8: Brontë, Charlotte. "I am no bird; and no net ensnares me..." 100,000 - 150,000 USDSotheby’s, Dec. 8: Eliot, George. The author's magnum opus. 25,000 - 35,000 USDSotheby’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 2023Sotheby’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 USDSotheby’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 USDSotheby’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 USDSotheby’s, Dec. 8: Ruscha, Ed. Twentysix Gasoline Stations, with a lengthy inscription to Joe Goode. 40,000 - 60,000 USDSotheby’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, 2023Swann, 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, 2023Swann, 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, 2023Swann, 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, 2023Swann, 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 moreChristie’s, Explore now
TREW, Christoph Jacob (1695–1769). Plantae Selectae quarum imagines ad exemplaria naturalia Londini in hortus curiosorum. [Nuremberg: 1750–1773]. £30,000–40,000Christie’s, Explore now
VERBIEST, Ferdinand (1623–88). Liber Organicus Astronomiae Europaeae apud Sinas restituate. [Beijing: Board of Astronomy, 1674]. £250,000–350,000Christie’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]. £120,000–180,000Christie’s, Explore now
A SILVER MICROSCOPE. Probably by Antoni van Leeuwenhoek (1632–1723), c.1700. £150,000–250,000Christie’s, Explore now
AN ENGLISH HORARY QUADRANT
C.1311. £100,000–150,000
Rare Book Monthly
Book Catalogue Reviews - December - 2006 Issue
America 1800-1815 from William Reese Co.
Printed works from the era of Jefferson and Madison from William Reese.
By Michael Stillman
The latest catalogue from the William Reese Company is entitled The Era of Jefferson and Madison 1800-1815. These are the early days for the republic. The Federalists, tied to the hated Alien and Sedition Acts, have just been voted out of audience. They will fight to regain power, unsuccessfully, and by the end of this period, will be on their deathbed. Meanwhile, the Democratic-Republicans, today's Democratic Party, began a forty year uninterrupted hold on the presidency, though they would later break into factions. This would be a period of tense foreign relations, coupled with expansion and exciting internal explorations. The Louisiana Purchase would double the nation's size overnight. Lewis and Clark would undertake their notable exploration of the Northwest. Meanwhile, Zebulon Pike would explore the Southwest. The next generation of leaders who would carry the nation through mid century built their reputations at this time, Presidents Jackson and Harrison on the battlefield, Senators Clay, Webster and Calhoun in the House of Representatives. Meanwhile, tense relations with England and France would culminate with the War of 1812, a more or less useless war that would at least allow the Americans to flex their muscles and burn off their pent up anger. The period concludes with the ending of this war, with a relieved and happy America about to enter its "Era of Good Feeling." Reese offers 182 important items from these formative years in the young nation's life. Here are a few.
Item 9 presents a look at the Louisiana Territory by the French from the period just before they sold it to the U.S. The title is Voyage a la Louisiane...by Louis Baudry Des Lozieres. It is possible this 1802 report was written with the expectation that France would regain possession of the territory. It had been held by Spain since the French and Indian War, but Napoleon's rise to power afforded France the opportunity to regain control. However, Napoleon's battles in Europe quickly turned his focus away from America, and once France gained possession of Louisiana, he quickly "flipped" it to America for some needed cash. Nonetheless, this book provides information on this about to be acquired territory, its natives, administration, slavery, and some notes about Texas. Priced at $2,000. Baudry's 1803 follow up, Second Voyage a la Louisiane... is also offered. Item 10. $1,750.
Jefferson had intended only to purchase territory near the mouth of the Mississippi to ensure open shipping lanes to that river. He was surprised, but undoubtedly pleased to discover France wanted to sell all of Louisiana, which in those days extended all the way to Montana. Item 99 is one of the great items of Americana collecting, the first official printing of the treaty that brought this land under American sovereignty. It is headed Message from the President...Inclosing a Treaty...Relative to the Cession of Louisiana...printed in 1803. $30,000.
