Here is one that takes offensiveness international. The book is Our Little Philippine Kiddies, part of the "Kids of Many Colors" series by Grace Duffie Boylan. These 1901 Philippine children look remarkably like grotesque American Black characterizations. This book doesn't limit itself to Philippine children, but also takes on American Blacks, pygmies, Arabs, Mexicans, and Indians. It's doubtful that Ms. Boylan meant any harm, but she sure could have used some sensitivity training. Item 90. $300. Incidentally, the 2000 film "A Rumor of Angels" is based on a later and very different Boylan book where she speaks of receiving messages from the great beyond after her son died in the First World War.
Here is a unique item. It is a nude drawing by none other than Dr. Seuss! Okay, I've made it sound a bit more risqué than it is. It is Seuss' drawing of Teenie Godiva looking a gift horse in the mouth. This illustration, in reduced form, was used in his book The Seven Lady Godivas from 1937. It is typical Seuss and this "Teenie" Godiva is quite overweight and will appeal to no one's prurient interests. Item 481. $50,000. Also offered is a series of Seuss drawings for This is Ann, the story of a mosquito published to humorously warn servicemen in World War II of the dangers of mosquitoes and malaria. Most feature the quite evil-looking Ann.
Here is an unusual item by "Flight Lieutenant Roald Dahl." The title is The Gremlins, and it tells of these creatures that plague pilots, of which Dahl was one (with the RAF). Although Dahl was British, the book was first published in 1943 in the U.S. by Disney. It was meant to accompany an animated film that was never made. Item 165. $3,850.
Speaking of Disney, here is a Disney book inscribed by Walt himself. It is the 1956 work Our Friend the Atom. It was written by Heinz Haber, a German astrophysicist who intelligently switched sides after the War. He received his training working on decidedly unfriendly uses for the friendly atom. Item 186. $4,750.
There are many more entertaining and collectible books within this wonderful catalogue. You may reach Aleph-Bet Books through their website, www.alephbet.com or at 914-764-7410.
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. 12: Hooke, Robert. Micrographia: or some Physiological Descriptions of Minute Bodies made by Magnifying Glasses. London: James Allestry for the Royal Society, 1667. $12,000 to $15,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 12: Chappuzeau, Samuel. The history of jewels, first edition in English. London: T.N. for Hobart Kemp, 1671. $12,000 to $18,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 12: Sowerby, James. Exotic Mineralogy, containing his most realistic mineral depictions, London: Benjamin Meredith, 1811, Arding and Merrett, 1817. $5,000 to $7,000.
![<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.")
