A Look at America's Past from David Lesser Antiquarian Books
The latest in Rare Americana from David Lesser.
Here is a combination of an honest letter and a notable forgery: President Lincoln's Views. An Important Letter on the Principles Involved in the Vallandigham Case. Clement Vallandigham was an Ohio Copperhead congressman, his opposition to the war and pro-South policies a thorn in Lincoln's side. The President eventually had him arrested for disloyal statements and hindering prosecution of the war. Here, Lincoln responds to contentions that Vallandigham's arrest violated his rights to free speech. Writes, Lincoln, "Must I shoot a simple-minded boy who deserts, while I must not touch a hair of the wily agitator who induces him to desert?" This copy of Lincoln's letter is made more interesting by the signature on it - "A. Lincoln." It also contains a notarized statement from William Brown, who said he was Mrs. Lincoln's coachman, and that she had given him the book. It was all a ruse. Forgers Eugene Field and Harry Sickles had enticed Brown to sign the books, and had his signature notarized, but then later added the Lincoln signature and the claim that Mrs. Lincoln had given the books to Brown. Item 81. $500.
Item 79 is a commercial catalogue: Flint Ware. Manufactured by Kohler, Hayssen & Stehn Manufacturing Co. Sheboygan, Wisconsin. This 1880s manufacturer of kitchen and bathroom articles may not sound familiar until you drop the last two names. Today they simply go by the Kohler name. $375.
Americans have loved automobiles and travel by car almost as long as the contraptions have existed. Item 8 is a large collection of American automotive guides, primarily between 1910 and 1960. It includes 50+ automotive guides and 70+ folding road maps, mostly from various oil companies, from the days when gas stations provided free road maps (along with pumping gas for you, checking your oil, and washing your windshield). $3,500.
David M. Lesser Fine Antiquarian Books can be reached at 203-389-8111 or dmlesser@lesserbooks.com. The website is www.lesserbooks.com.
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.")
