May 1, 2024 10:00 EST
Rare Books, Autographs & Maps
79
Dresser's monograph of the Bee-eaters, with fine plates by Keulemans
Estate / Collection: The Ken Harte Collection of Natural History
DRESSER, HENRY EELES
A Monograph of the Meropidae, or Family of the Bee-eaters. London: published by the author at 6 Tenterden Street, 1884-86. Contemporary three-quarters morocco gilt. 15 x 11 1/2 inches (28 x 29 cm); xix, 141 pp., with 34 hand-colored lithographed plates printed by Hanhart, heightened with gum arabic by J. G. Keulemans, with the prospectus laid-in offering an additional copy of plate XXXIV. The binding worn with the headcap pulled, rubbing to the spine, joints and corners, old shelf markings to foot of spine, institutional markings within including labels to the endpapers, a small blind-stamp to the title and a small stamp with ink notation to the verso, the plates generally clean.
Dresser's three major works comprise his monograph of the bee-eaters, his similar treatise on the rollers and his monumental study of the birds of Europe. Bee-eaters was issued in five parts and it is thought that no more than 250 sets were produced. Dresser notes in the introduction that most species of this rare bird are predominately found in Ethiopia. Fine Bird Books, p. 72; Nissen IVB 269; Wood p. 324; Zimmer p. 178.
Sold for $4,800
Estimated at $3,000 - $5,000
Includes Buyer's Premium
Estate / Collection: The Ken Harte Collection of Natural History
DRESSER, HENRY EELES
A Monograph of the Meropidae, or Family of the Bee-eaters. London: published by the author at 6 Tenterden Street, 1884-86. Contemporary three-quarters morocco gilt. 15 x 11 1/2 inches (28 x 29 cm); xix, 141 pp., with 34 hand-colored lithographed plates printed by Hanhart, heightened with gum arabic by J. G. Keulemans, with the prospectus laid-in offering an additional copy of plate XXXIV. The binding worn with the headcap pulled, rubbing to the spine, joints and corners, old shelf markings to foot of spine, institutional markings within including labels to the endpapers, a small blind-stamp to the title and a small stamp with ink notation to the verso, the plates generally clean.
Dresser's three major works comprise his monograph of the bee-eaters, his similar treatise on the rollers and his monumental study of the birds of Europe. Bee-eaters was issued in five parts and it is thought that no more than 250 sets were produced. Dresser notes in the introduction that most species of this rare bird are predominately found in Ethiopia. Fine Bird Books, p. 72; Nissen IVB 269; Wood p. 324; Zimmer p. 178.
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
