Rare Book Monthly

Book Catalogue Reviews - April - 2004 Issue

&#147; Books from the Past&#148; <br>from Helen R. Kahn

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Item 16 is a rare German edition of Bartolome de las Casas, Newe Welt…, printed in 1597. De las Casas was a remarkable man, a Spanish priest who accompanied voyages to the New World and devoted his life to defending the rights of native peoples. He has become known as the “protector of the Indians.” In a time when such rights were of little concern to most, de las Casas stands out as one of history’s great humanitarians. $8,500.

Item 45 is a Jesuit Relation (number 12), Relation de ce qui s’est passé en la Nouvelle France en l’Annee 1642 et 1643… The author of this Relation is Father Vimont. Among the events described by Vimont is the founding of Montreal, which he witnessed in 1642. $14,500. Also offered is Relation number 16. Item 43. $10,000.

Here’s one more travelogue: from Sir George Simpson, it’s a Narrative of a Journey Round the World, During the Years 1841 and 1842. Travel was not easy back then, but Simpson managed to travel on horseback across Canada to Vancouver, then up to Sitka, down to California, over to Hawaii, and finally across Siberia and Russia to St. Petersburg. This is described as an “excellent account.” Item 96. $675.

We will close with an original copy of the Treaty of Paris (1763) in French. This was the treaty which ended the French and Indian War, virtually terminating France’s role as a major power in the New World, while dividing most of North America between the British and the Spanish. Of course, neither would hold their power that much longer. Some rebellious colonists would see to that. Item 104. $9,750.

To learn more about these and other items in this catalogue, you may visit Helen R. Kahn and Associates on the web at www.hrkahnbooks.com or call 514-844-5344.

Rare Book Monthly

  • Forum Auctions
    Fine Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper
    27th March 2025
    Forum, Mar. 27: Dürer (Albrecht) Hierin sind begriffen vier bücher von menschlicher Proportion, 4 parts in 1, first edition, Nuremberg, Hieronymus Andreae for Agnes Dürer, 1528. £30,000 to £40,000.
    Forum, Mar. 27: Book of Hours, Use of Rome, illuminated manuscript in Latin, on vellum, 26 fine hand-painted miniatures, 17th century dark brown morocco, [Lyon], [c. 1475 and later c. 1490-1500]. £25,000 to £35,000.
    Forum, Mar. 27: Brontë (Emily) The North Wind, watercolour, [1842]. £15,000 to £20,000.
    Forum, Mar. 27: Titanic.- Mudd (Thomas Cupper, one of the youngest victims of the sinking of the Titanic, 1895-1912) Autograph Letter signed on board RMS Titanic to his mother, April 11th 1912. £20,000 to £30,000.
    Forum Auctions
    Fine Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper
    27th March 2025
    Forum, Mar. 27: [Austen (Jane)] Emma: A Novel, 3 vol., first edition, for John Murray, 1816. £10,000 to £15,000.
    Forum, Mar. 27: Picasso (Pablo).- Ovid. Les Metamorphoses, one of 95 copies, signed by the artist, Lausanne, Albert Skira, 1931. £10,000 to £15,000.
    Forum, Mar. 27: America.- Ogilby (John) America: Being the Latest, and Most Accurate Description of the New World..., all maps with vibrant hand-colouring in outline, probably by an early hand, 1671. £15,000 to £25,000.
    Forum, Mar. 27: Iceland.- Geological exploration.- Bright (Dr. Richard )and Edward Bird. Collection of twenty original drawings from travels in Iceland with Henry Holland and George Mackenzie, watercolours, [1810]. £20,000 to £30,000.
  • Sotheby's
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    Sotheby’s: Ten Commandments Tablet, 300-800 CE | One of humanity's earliest and most enduring moral codes. Sold: 5,040,000 USD
    Sotheby’s: William Blake | Songs of Innocence and of Experience. Sold: 4,320,000 USD
    Sotheby’s: The Declaration of Independence | The Holt printing, the only copy in private hands. Sold: 3,360,000 USD
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    Sotheby’s: Thomas Taylor | The original cover art for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Sold: 1,920,000 USD
    Sotheby’s: Machiavelli | Il Principe, a previously unrecorded copy of the book where modern political thought began. Sold: 576,000 GBP
    Sotheby’s: Leonardo da Vinci | Trattato della pittura, ca. 1639, a very fine pre-publication manuscript. Sold: 381,000 GBP
    Sotheby’s: Henri Matisse | Jazz, Paris 1947, the complete portfolio. Sold: 312,000 EUR

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