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Sotheby’s
Book Week
November & DecemberSotheby’s, Nov. 6-20: Audebert, Jean-Baptiste — Louis-Pierre Vieillot. Oiseaux dorés ou à reflets métalliques, Paris, 1801-1802. €40,000 to €60,000.Sotheby’s, Nov. 6-20: [Hugo, Victor] — Charles Hugo, François-Victor Hugo ou Auguste Vacquerie. Portrait de Victor Hugo. Daguerréotype réalisé à Jersey vers 1852-1853. €20,000 to €30,000.Sotheby’s, Nov. 6-20: Orbigny, Alcide d'. Voyage dans l'Amérique méridionale... Paris, Pitois-Levrault et Cie et Strasbourg, Levrault, 1834-1847. €10,000 to €15,000.Sotheby’s, Nov. 6-20: Chelidonius, Benedictus. Passio Jesu Chriti. [1526?]. Maroquin bleu de Niédrée. 37 bois inspirés par Dürer. €3,000 to €5,000.Sotheby’s, Nov. 6-20: Cassini de Thury, César-François. Carte générale de la France faite en 1744. Paris, 1756-1788. 178 cartes entoilées, réunies dans 28 emboîtages. €15,000 to €20,000. -
Swann
Printed & Manuscript Americana
November 20, 2025Swann, Nov. 20: Lot 9
George Catlin. O-Kee-Pa: A Religious Ceremony; and other Customs of the Mandans. London, 1867.Swann, Nov. 20: Lot 17
Benjamin Beal, Unpublished diary of a lieutenant serving in the Invasion of Quebec, 1776.Swann, Nov. 20: Lot 23
George Washington, Autograph Letter Signed anticipating the coming British campaign against Philadelphia, 1777.Swann
Printed & Manuscript Americana
November 20, 2025Swann, Nov. 20: Lot 35
Matthias C. Sprengel, Allgemeines historisches Taschenbuch, the first published appearance of the American flag, [1784].Swann, Nov. 20: Lot 120
Portfolio of lithograph Civil War portraits by Ehrgott, Forbriger & Co. and others. Cincinnati, OH, circa 1863.Swann, Nov. 20: Lot 130
Eleazar Huntington, engraver. Early broadside engraving of the Declaration of Independence, circa 1820-24.Swann
Printed & Manuscript Americana
November 20, 2025Swann, Nov. 20: Lot 175
Jeremiah B. Taylor, Letterbook of a frontier Baptist missionary in Kansas with tales of friendly Indians and unfriendly Confederate raiders, 1839-1887.Swann, Nov. 20: Lot 188
Jonas Rishel, The Indian Physician, Containing a New System of Practice, Founded on Medical Plants, 1828.Swann, Nov. 20: Lot 201
Brigham Young and the First Presidency of the LDS, Commission issued to two Church representatives, 1849.Swann
Printed & Manuscript Americana
November 20, 2025Swann, Nov. 20: Lot 293
Kuonraden's Vart (Kuonrad's Travels), an illustrated western travel memoir set to verse, circa 1914.Swann, Nov. 20: Lot 311
Hermann Stieffel, Early watercolor view of the ruins of a Spanish mission in the Manzano Grant. Manzano, NM, circa 1860-67.Swann, Nov. 20: Lot 343
Vida de San Felipe de Jesus, protomartir del Japon, y patron de su patria Mexico. -
University Archives
Rare Autographs, Manuscripts & Books
Now through Nov. 19University Archives, Nov. 19:
Lot 308 - Bob Dylan Handwritten & Signed Lyrics to "Just Like a Woman" With Jeff Rosen & JSA AuthenticationUniversity Archives, Nov. 19:
Lot 455 - Isaac Newton Admiration For Judaism & Moral Continuity With Christianity! 350+ Words in his Hand - Extraordinary Content!University Archives, Nov. 19:
Lot 219 - 371g Moon Meteorite, Incredible Find - Laâyoune 002University Archives
Rare Autographs, Manuscripts & Books
Now through Nov. 19University Archives, Nov. 19:
Lot 448 - Scarce Einstein AM on Unified Field Theory, 180+ Words & 11 Equations in His Hand! From His Published Article, "A Generalization of the Relativistic Theory of Gravitation"University Archives, Nov. 19:
Lot 159 - Woodrow Wilson Baseball Signed for WWI Red Cross Fundraiser, Ex. Forbes & PSA Authentic - Finest Known!University Archives, Nov. 19:
Lot 84 - Lee Harvey Oswald ALS to Brother, Trying Desperately to Get out of Russia! Highly ImportantUniversity Archives
Rare Autographs, Manuscripts & Books
Now through Nov. 19University Archives, Nov. 19:
Lot 152 - George Washington Signed Discharge for MA Soldier Whose Regiment Was at Bunker Hill!University Archives, Nov. 19:
Lot 88 - Abraham Lincoln Fully Signed Military Appointment for Mexican War Vet & Respected CavalrymanUniversity Archives, Nov. 19:
Lot 188 - Apollo XI Astronauts & Their Wives Signed Photo, Plus Crew Signed Cover, From Apollo XI Presidential Goodwill Tour Era, Pre-Cert ZarelliUniversity Archives
Rare Autographs, Manuscripts & Books
Now through Nov. 19University Archives, Nov. 19:
Lot 265 - Martin Luther King, Jr. TLS Re: "Stride Toward Freedom" Film Rights To Literary Agent Marie RodellUniversity Archives, Nov. 19:
Lot 324 - John Lennon Signed Apple Records Check, PSA GEM MT 10! Possibly Finest KnownUniversity Archives, Nov. 19:
Lot 79 - John & Jacqueline Kennedy Signed WH 1963 Christmas Gift Inscribed to Close Friend Joan Braden, PSA Authentic -
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Rare Book Monthly
Book Catalogue Reviews - May - 2007 Issue
Literature from the William Reese Company
By Michael Stillman
The William Reese Company takes a brief respite from its usual catalogues in Americana to offer Literature A Miscellany, number 253 in their series. This catalogue is descriptively subtitled A varied selection from the 16th through the 21st Centuries including Recent Acquisitions, Poetry and Prose, Manuscripts, Fine Printing, Filmscripts and Bibliography. The nice thing about lengthy, descriptive subtitles is they save the reviewer from having to describe the catalogue. So, we will proceed directly to some examples, stopping only to say that there are almost 800 items offered for sale, and those who might be intimidated by the cost of Reese's typical Americana offerings need feel no fear. Their literary works are accessible to a far wider range of budgets, most likely yours included.
We're so used to Reese's focus on Americana that we will start with an item that straddles the line between literature and Americana. Item 56 is The Vision of Columbus; A Poem in Nine Books. Joel Barlow's creation was published in 1787, and was evidently quite a favorite among American patriots. Among the list of subscribers were Washington, for twenty copies, Lafayette and Franklin for ten each. This copy has an ownership inscription from Charles Pinckney, South Carolina delegate to the U.S. Constitutional Convention, and one of its more influential leaders. He would lead the fight for ratification in South Carolina, and go on to serve as that state's governor and senator and a campaign leader for Jefferson in the 1800 election, a political leader until ill health forced his retirement in 1821. Priced at $1,250.
Item 184 is a signed, typed letter from Hollywood's dearest mommy, Joan Crawford. The chatty Ms. Crawford writes to the recently married screenwriter Frank Nugent and his wife Jean in 1953, "Aw, gee, Jean -- how did you beat me to it? I asked him to marry me publicly...but I didn't get anywhere." Don't feel too sad for Joan for missing out on this man. She still managed to snare five husbands of her own. $275.
Speaking of the silver screen, item 313 is Bruce Friedman's screenplay for Detroit Abe, circa 1981-2. This is a "first" draft signed by Friedman. In 1983, it would be released as the movie "Dr. Detroit," starring Dan Aykroyd. This is positively one of the worst movies ever created, and established the oft-repeated universal truth that ex-Saturday Night Live performers should not be permitted to make movies. $75.
Now for some more memorable performances from the little screen. Item 76 is an episode from Star Trek's first season, What Are Little Girls Made Of? This is a "revised final" edition of Robert Bloch's script that first aired on October 20, 1966. We cannot say how many times it has aired since, but likely as many times as there are stars in the universe. Forty years later, you still can't go through a day without seeing some advertisement on TV with William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy, so lasting is the influence of this series. $200.
