Rare Book Monthly Reviews - January - 2006 Issue

An Exquisite Catalogue from Phillip J. Pirages

By Michael Stillman

For January we review our first catalogue from Phillip J. Pirages of McMinnville,

Oregon, and this one is a gem. Since the pages are not numbered, and there are far too many

for me to count, we will tell you the book is almost 3/4 of an inch thick, contains 584

items, is richly illustrated with photographs of the items worthy of the works themselves,

and contains some of the best and most thorough descriptions I have seen anywhere.

Amazingly, Pirages provides complete descriptions not only for the $69,000 item, but for

the $50 one as well. Thi...

The Parsons Collection of Pacific Voyages from Hordern House

By Michael Stillman

Is this a catalogue? Technically yes, but Hordern House has created something on a far different level. It is a book itself, a tribute to the Pacific voyage collection of Dav...

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Books that Became Films from Between The Covers

By Michael Stillman

Curtains up! Now appearing on the big screen (or small screen if that is what your computer is equipped with) is a review of a catalogue for those who appreciate both books a...

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Angling, Sports, and More from James Cummins Bookseller

By Michael Stillman

James Cummins Booksellers' latest catalogue, number 94, is divided into three sections: angling, Derrydale Press, and general sporting and natural history. This is essentiall...

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Unusual and Intriguing Items from Thomas Cullen

By Michael Stillman

Thomas Cullen, Rockland Bookman has issued his 39th catalogue of Fine Books, Manuscripts & Ephemera. Cullen doesn't specialize in any particular field. What he looks for is t...

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Five Centuries From Joseph J. Felcone Antiquarian Booksellers

By Michael Stillman

Joseph J. Felcone Antiquarian Booksellers has released Bulletin 93, Rare Books From Five Centuries. Felcone, of Princeton, is best known as the leading seller of printed New ...

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Western Americana From William Reese Co.

By Michael Stillman

The William Reese Company's latest catalogue, number 244, is Western Americana. Reese's material is always top shelf, and this is no exception. Most material is from the 19th...

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Federal Writers' Project (WPA) Books From Schoyer's

By Michael Stillman

Schoyer's Books, of Berkeley, California, has issued a most unusual and interesting catalogue of primarily late 1930s and early 1940s works. Their catalogue number 140 is ti...

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The West and More Americana from Arthur H. Clark

By Michael Stillman

We just received the latest offering from The Arthur H. Clark Company of Spokane, Washington. Clark specializes in Americana and the West, and catalogue 924 presents 340 mor...

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Pre-1800 Continental Art & Architecture, Etc., from Charles Wood

By Michael Stillman

From Charles B. Wood Antiquarian Booksellers we have received catalogue 125. It is headed, Architecture, History of Art, Garden Design, Arts, Crafts & Trades, & Related Fiel...

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Twain and Einstein at The 19th Century Shop

By Michael Stillman

There are just two, very specific subjects of the 19th Century Shop's 108th catalogue. One is Mark Twain. The other Albert Einstein. What did these two gentlemen have in c...

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A 17th Century American Wall Map from Martayan Lan

By Michael Stillman

The latest brochure we have obtained from Martayan Lan sets a record for brevity among those we have received, one which may be tied but never broken. In September, we revie...

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Literary Firsts, Histories, and Letters from Manhattan Rare Book

By Michael Stillman

The Manhattan Rare Book Company has issued its latest electronic update of new items and highlights. Included are some literary firsts, histories by leaders who participated...

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Travel from Gert Jan Bestebreurtje

By Michael Stillman

The latest offering from Gert Jan Bestebreurtje, Antiquarian Bookseller, is Travel. The Library of the Dutch Collector Berend Ten Hoove. Do not be fooled by the Dutch collect...

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Famed Manuscripts and Autographs from The Raab Collection

By Michael Stillman

The Raab Collection has just issued its 51st catalogue of autographs, manuscripts and other signed material. Raab items are always from the first tier of collecting. The sig...

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An Extensive Americana Collection at Chapel Hill Rare Books

By Michael Stillman

Americana collectors take heed. Chapel Hill Rare Books has issued one of the best catalogues in the field we have seen. Rare Americana includes 335 items of primarily 17th to...

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Rare Book Monthly

  • Fonsie Mealy’s
    Summer Rare Book
    & Collectors’ Sale
    July 30-31, 2024
    Fonsie Mealy’s, July 30-31: U.S. / European Shipping Archive 1800-1814. The Widow Bermingham & Sons Collection. €7,000 to €10,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, July 30-31: Bunreacht na hÉireann. Constitution of Ireland. An important copy of the First Printing of De Valera’s new Constitution, approved in 1938. Signed by the Constitution Cabinet. €7,000 to €9,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, July 30-31: A Rare Complete Run of the Cuala Press Broadsides. €7,000 to €9,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s
    Summer Rare Book
    & Collectors’ Sale
    July 30-31, 2024
    Fonsie Mealy’s, July 30-31: Grose (Francis). The Antiquities of Ireland, 2vols. folio London (for S. Hooper) 1791. Magnificent Hand-Coloured Copy - Only 25 Copies. €3,000 to €5,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, July 30-31: Cantillon (Richard). Essai sur la Nature du Commerce en General, Traduit de l'Anglois, Sm. 8vo London (Fletcher Gyles) 1756. €3,000 to €4,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, July 30-31: Gregory, (Lady Augusta). Spreading the News: The Rising of the Moon: The Poorhouse (with Douglas Hyde). Being Vol. IX of the Abbey Theatre Series. €3,000 to €4,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s
    Summer Rare Book
    & Collectors’ Sale
    July 30-31, 2024
    Fonsie Mealy’s, July 30-31: Lavery (Lady Hazel). A moving series of three A.L.S. and a Telegram to Gen. Eoin O'Duffy, July-August 1927, expressing her grief at the death of Kevin O'Higgins. €3,000 to €4,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, July 30-31: Dampier (Wm.) Nouveau Voyage Autour du Monde, ou l'on descrit en particulier l'Isthme de l'Amerique…, 2 vols. in one, Amsterdam, 1698. €800 to €1,200.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, July 30-31: Howell (James). Instructions for Forreine Travel Shewing by what Cours, and in what Compasse of Time…, London, 1642. €800 to €1,200.
    Fonsie Mealy’s
    Summer Rare Book
    & Collectors’ Sale
    July 30-31, 2024
    Fonsie Mealy’s, July 30-31: Rowling (J.K.) Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, 8vo, L. (Bloomsbury) 1999, First Edn., First Printing of Deluxe Collectors Edn. Signed. €800 to €1,200.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, July 30-31: James (Wm.) A Full and Correct Account of the Military Occurrences of The Late War Between Great Britain and The United States of America. 2 vols. Lond. 1818. €650 to €900.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, July 30-31: The Laws of the United States, Published by Authority, 3 vols. Philadelphia (Richard Folwell) 1796. €600 to €800.

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