Theologian Horace Bushnell was not so enlightened when it came to women. His views are telegraphed by the title of his book: Women's Suffrage: the Reform Against Nature. Granting women the vote, he notes, is like "an attempt to make trumpets out of flutes." Bushnell has thoughtfully dedicated the book to his wife. Item 22. $90.
Thomas Upham was a philosopher, psychologist, professor and pacifist. His textbook on mental philosophy reportedly went through 57 editions. Item 118 is dedicated to his peaceful pursuits, The Manual of Peace, published in 1836. He was one of the first to advocate a Congress of Nations to resolve international disputes. $600.
Adam Couse was an amateur philosopher, putting it politely. Couse is better credited for his role as a dancing instructor and music store owner, not to mention author of the "Detroit Schottische," a very popular tune in its day. It's still around as an old-time fiddle tune more often called "Flop Eared Mule." Some thirty years after he published this very early Motown favorite, Couse published his philosophical The New Philosophy of Being and Existence (1883). He probably should have stuck to music, as his philosophy made little apparent sense and was forgotten before it was remembered. But his Schottische is still a catchy tune. Item 29. $50.
John Witherspoon was a Scottish clergyman who was called to America to become the sixth president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton). He was, not surprisingly, a proponent of Scottish realist philosophy (perhaps he would have enjoyed Mr. Couse's Schottische). This educator and clergyman may be even better known for a political stance he took in 1776. Witherspoon was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Item 127 is a set of the four volumes of The Works of the Rev. John Witherspoon, published in 1800-1801. $2,250.
Rudi Thoemmes Rare Books may be reached at +44 (0)117 902 8546. Their website is www.rrbltd.com.
You will find many of Rudi Thoemmes' books listed in "Books For Sale" on this site. Click here.
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.
Heritage Auctions Rare Books Signature Auction December 15, 2025
Heritage, Dec. 15: John Donne. Poems, By J. D. With Elegies on the Author's Death. London: M[iles]. F[lesher]. for John Marriot, 1633.
Heritage, Dec. 15: Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
Heritage, Dec. 15: F. Scott Fitzgerald. Tender is the Night. A Romance.
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…
![<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.")
