May 1, 2024 10:00 EST
Rare Books, Autographs & Maps
159
A group of materials relating to Paul Bowles and his circle
BOWLES, PAUL
Four items. Comprises The Sheltering Sky. [New York]: New Directions, [1949]. First edition, signed by Bowles on the half-title. publisher's tan cloth, in the dust jacket (unclipped, $2.75 price) designed by Alvin Lustig. 8 x 5 1/4 inches (20.25 x 13.5 cm); 318 pp. The jacket lightly soiled, a few small losses and minor tears to extremities, the upper portion of the spine showing minor damp staining (not affecting the contents), for all that a very presentable copy in an unrestored jacket; together with [idem]. Two Years Beside the Strait. Tangier Journal 1987-9. First English edition, inscribed in black ink by Bowles "For Lynne with best Paul 17/I/91 Tangier." Publisher's cream boards in dust jacket. 7 3/4 x 5 inches (20 x 1.75 cm); 80 pp.; NUTTING, CHERIE. Paul Bowles. Gelatin silver print, 12 x 8 inches (305 x 205 mm). inscribed by Paul Bowles in the lower margin "I like this picture. Paul Bowles". Fine. Framed; MRABET, MOHAMMED. [Eldritch Faces]. Large untitled drawing. Black and colored ink on paper, signed and dated 1995.18 x 14 inches. Fine. Framed.
An appealing group pertaining to Paul Bowles and his circle, including a signed copy of the first American edition of his best-known work, another book inscribed by him, an inscribed copy of a remarkable photograph of the author taken by a member of his circle, and a splendidly eerie example of a drawing by the author, artist and poet Mohammed Mrabet, Bowles' longtime friend and protegé. The Sheltering Sky had been intended for publication by Doubleday, but was refused by them, whereupon it was published by John Lehmann in the UK, with the present American edition succeeding it a month later. It is rare signed.
Sold for $960
Estimated at $1,500 - $2,500
Includes Buyer's Premium
BOWLES, PAUL
Four items. Comprises The Sheltering Sky. [New York]: New Directions, [1949]. First edition, signed by Bowles on the half-title. publisher's tan cloth, in the dust jacket (unclipped, $2.75 price) designed by Alvin Lustig. 8 x 5 1/4 inches (20.25 x 13.5 cm); 318 pp. The jacket lightly soiled, a few small losses and minor tears to extremities, the upper portion of the spine showing minor damp staining (not affecting the contents), for all that a very presentable copy in an unrestored jacket; together with [idem]. Two Years Beside the Strait. Tangier Journal 1987-9. First English edition, inscribed in black ink by Bowles "For Lynne with best Paul 17/I/91 Tangier." Publisher's cream boards in dust jacket. 7 3/4 x 5 inches (20 x 1.75 cm); 80 pp.; NUTTING, CHERIE. Paul Bowles. Gelatin silver print, 12 x 8 inches (305 x 205 mm). inscribed by Paul Bowles in the lower margin "I like this picture. Paul Bowles". Fine. Framed; MRABET, MOHAMMED. [Eldritch Faces]. Large untitled drawing. Black and colored ink on paper, signed and dated 1995.18 x 14 inches. Fine. Framed.
An appealing group pertaining to Paul Bowles and his circle, including a signed copy of the first American edition of his best-known work, another book inscribed by him, an inscribed copy of a remarkable photograph of the author taken by a member of his circle, and a splendidly eerie example of a drawing by the author, artist and poet Mohammed Mrabet, Bowles' longtime friend and protegé. The Sheltering Sky had been intended for publication by Doubleday, but was refused by them, whereupon it was published by John Lehmann in the UK, with the present American edition succeeding it a month later. It is rare signed.
Auction: Rare Books, Autographs & Maps, May 1, 2024
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Auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps on May 1, 2024 Totals $1.2 Million
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A Medieval Manuscript Rules of St. Augustine Achieves $102k
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Consignments Are Currently Being Accepted for Future Auctions
NEW YORK, NY -- Competitive bidding at Doyle’s May 1, 2024 auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps drove strong prices and a sale total that topped $1.2 million, surpassing expectations.
Featured in the sale was a fascinating selection of early manuscripts that achieved exceptional results. Highlighting the group was a 14th century manuscript of the Rules of St. Augustine from an English priory that soared over its $8,000-12,000 estimate to realize a stunning $102,100. The Rule of St. Augustine is among the earliest of all monastic rules, created about 400, and it was an influence on all that succeeded it. Other notable results included a 14th century Etymologiae of St. Isidore estimated at $5,000-8,000 that achieved $51,200 and a 15th century Prayer Book of Jehan Bernachier estimated at $10,000-15,000 that sold for $28,800.
A first edition of John James Audubon's octavo Birds of America sold for $41,600, far over its $25,000-35,000 estimate. Published in 1840-1844 in seven volumes, the first octavo edition was the final Birds of America publication overseen by Audubon in his lifetime.
The Fred Rotondaro Collection offered rare books and manuscripts on a range of subjects touching the African American experience in the United States over three centuries. A first edition copy of Frederick Douglass’ 1876 speech at the unveiling of the Freedman's Monument in Washington realized $12,800, far exceeding its $3,000-5,000 estimate. A first edition of the first issue of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin from 1852 also achieved $12,800.
Highlighting the range of offerings from the Ken Harte Collection of Natural History was a first edition Richard Bowdler Sharpe’s beautifully illustrated monograph of Kingfishers, 1868-71, that sold for $14,080, doubling its $6,000-8,000 estimate. It was accompanied by an inscribed copy of the rare unfinished chapter on the anatomy of the kingfisher by James Murie.
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Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. We invite you to contact us for a complimentary auction evaluation. Our Specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection.
For information, please contact Peter Costanzo at 212-427-4141 ext 248, Edward Ripley-Duggan at ext 234, or Noah Goldrach at ext 226, or email Books@Doyle.com
