May 1, 2024 10:00 EST
Rare Books, Autographs & Maps
242
The first edition of Tocqueville, with an important association
Estate / Collection: Property from the Rotondaro Collection
TOCQUEVILLE, ALEXIS DE
Democracy in America. Translated by Henry Reeve, Esq. With an Original Preface and Notes by John C. Spencer. [together with] Democracy in America. Part the Second, the Social Influence of Democracy. New York: George Dearborn & Co., Adlard and Saunders, 1838 (volume I imprint) ; J. & H.G. Langley, 1840 (volume II imprint). First American editions of both volumes. Publisher's non-uniform purple-black and brown cloths respectively, the first volume with plain white, the second with yellow coated endpapers; housed in a leather-backed clamshell case. 8 3/4 x 5 1/2 inches (22 x 14 cm); xxx, 464 pp.; xx, 355, [1] pp. The first volume with the cloth binding neatly rebacked, retaining the original spine; the second volume with the spine a trifle faded, light wear to all covers. Scattered foxing, throughout, overall a rather good set. As the two parts were bound by different publishers in different years, they were not issued in uniform bindings. Signature of William Cabell Rives in pencil on the title of the second volume, his pencil notes throughout both volumes, with notes on the rear flyleaf of the first.
Translated by Henry Reeve from the French, the volumes bear prefaces by John Canfield Spencer, Secretary of War in the Tyler administration. Alexis Charles Henri Clérel, Comte de Tocqueville traveled in America in 1831 for nine months, and the first volume of his penetrating study of American democratic institutions appeared in 1835; the second was issued in 1840. It was well-received in both France and America, and it remains a classic work of political and social science. It has been called "at once the best book ever written on democracy and the best book ever written on America."
This is a significant copy in generally excellent condition, bearing as it does the notes of William Cabell Rives, the U.S. Congressman, Senator, and the author of the famous Madison biography. His importance “lies primarily in his long participation in American politics from the Jeffersonian Era through the Civil War. Educated by Jefferson and Madison, Rives carried on the spirit of 18th-century republicanism within a changing political culture” (ANB). Howes T278-9; Sabin 96064-5.
Sold for $8,320
Estimated at $5,000 - $8,000
Includes Buyer's Premium
Estate / Collection: Property from the Rotondaro Collection
TOCQUEVILLE, ALEXIS DE
Democracy in America. Translated by Henry Reeve, Esq. With an Original Preface and Notes by John C. Spencer. [together with] Democracy in America. Part the Second, the Social Influence of Democracy. New York: George Dearborn & Co., Adlard and Saunders, 1838 (volume I imprint) ; J. & H.G. Langley, 1840 (volume II imprint). First American editions of both volumes. Publisher's non-uniform purple-black and brown cloths respectively, the first volume with plain white, the second with yellow coated endpapers; housed in a leather-backed clamshell case. 8 3/4 x 5 1/2 inches (22 x 14 cm); xxx, 464 pp.; xx, 355, [1] pp. The first volume with the cloth binding neatly rebacked, retaining the original spine; the second volume with the spine a trifle faded, light wear to all covers. Scattered foxing, throughout, overall a rather good set. As the two parts were bound by different publishers in different years, they were not issued in uniform bindings. Signature of William Cabell Rives in pencil on the title of the second volume, his pencil notes throughout both volumes, with notes on the rear flyleaf of the first.
Translated by Henry Reeve from the French, the volumes bear prefaces by John Canfield Spencer, Secretary of War in the Tyler administration. Alexis Charles Henri Clérel, Comte de Tocqueville traveled in America in 1831 for nine months, and the first volume of his penetrating study of American democratic institutions appeared in 1835; the second was issued in 1840. It was well-received in both France and America, and it remains a classic work of political and social science. It has been called "at once the best book ever written on democracy and the best book ever written on America."
This is a significant copy in generally excellent condition, bearing as it does the notes of William Cabell Rives, the U.S. Congressman, Senator, and the author of the famous Madison biography. His importance “lies primarily in his long participation in American politics from the Jeffersonian Era through the Civil War. Educated by Jefferson and Madison, Rives carried on the spirit of 18th-century republicanism within a changing political culture” (ANB). Howes T278-9; Sabin 96064-5.
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.
We Invite You to Auction!
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
