Western Americana from Thomas Goldwasser Rare Books
Bodies of the Dalton Gang: Bill Powers, Bob Dalton, Grattan Dalton, Dick Broadwell, along with later photo of Emmett Dalton.
Item 260 is one of the most important studies of the American Indian, History of the Indian Tribes by Thomas McKenney and James Hall. McKenney was the first Director of Indian Affairs, and after being dismissed from his post by President Andrew Jackson, set out to preserve their rapidly changing traditional culture for history. Together with James Hall, he produced this look at the Indians, including 120 hand-colored plates depicting chiefs and other notable members of the tribes. Offered is a copy of the third octavo edition, noted for its brilliant color. $35,000.
Item 83 is the story of one of the most notorious criminal gangs of the Old West by one of its members. Emmett Dalton and two of his older brothers, once lawmen themselves, turned to crime around 1890. Perhaps it ran in the family, as they were related to the Youngers, whose gang gave Jesse and Frank James their start. The Dalton Gang was very successful at robbing trains, perhaps too much so for their own good. Along with several others who joined them, they decided to attempt something no other bandits had accomplished -- rob two banks on the same day. Of all places to choose, they selected their hometown of Coffeyville, Kansas. They donned fake beards and wigs, but townsfolk quickly recognized them, and took up arms as the gang held up the banks. When they tried to escape, the townspeople were waiting. The date was October 5, 1892. It was the last day the Daltons rode. Brothers Bob and Grat were killed on the spot, while Emmett, his body riddled with bullets, was not expected to survive. However, Emmett did recover, was sentenced to life in prison, reformed and was pardoned 14 years later, and moved to California. Emmett Dalton would then play himself and others in a couple of movies, become a real estate agent, and write this book: When the Daltons Rode. It was published in 1931, with Dalton surviving until 1937 (his obituary is pasted in this copy). The copy also includes an inscription from Dalton to famed newspaperman H.L. Mencken. $2,750.
You may visit Thomas A. Goldwasser Rare Books online at www.goldwasserbooks.com, or reach them by phone at 415-292-4698.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 17: Francesco Colonna. Hypnerotomachie, Paris, 1546, Parisian calf by Wotton Binder C for Marcus Fugger. €200,000 to €300,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 17: Nausea. De principiis dialectices Gorgias, and other works, Venice, 1523, morocco gilt for Cardinal Campeggio. €3,000 to €4,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 17: Billon. Le fort inexpugnable de l'honneur, Paris, 1555, Parisian calf gilt for Peter Ernst, Graf von Mansfeld. €120,000 to €180,000.
Sotheby’s Book Week December 9-17, 2025
Sotheby’s, Dec. 16: Salinger, J.D. The Graham Family archive, including autographed letters, an inscribed Catcher, a rare studio photograph of the author, and more. $120,000 to $180,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 16: [Austen, Jane]. A handsome first edition of Sense and Sensibility, the author's first novel. $60,000 to $80,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 16: Massachusetts General Court. A powerful precursor to the Declaration of Independence: "every Act of Government … without the Consent of the People, is … Tyranny." $40,000 to $60,000.
Rare Book Hub is now mobile-friendly!
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.
![<b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 16:</b> [Austen, Jane]. A handsome first edition of <i>Sense and Sensibility,</i> the author's first novel. $60,000 to $80,000.](https://ae-files.s3.amazonaws.com/AdvertisementPhotos/9a74d9ff-42dd-46a1-8bb2-b636c4cec796.png "<b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 16:</b> [Austen, Jane]. A handsome first edition of <i>Sense and Sensibility,</i> the author's first novel. $60,000 to $80,000.")
