May 1, 2024 10:00 EST
Rare Books, Autographs & Maps
106
Wilson's great ornithology, the first domestically produced color-plate ornithology
Estate / Collection: The Ken Harte Collection of Natural History
WILSON, ALEXANDER
American Ornithology; or, The Natural History of the Birds of the United States. Philadelphia: Bradford and Inskeep, 1808-1814. First editions (preface in vol. I dated September 1st, 1808). 9 volumes, uniformly bound in publisher's contemporary red half roan or sheep, marbled sides, edges yellow. 13 7/8 x 9 3/4 inches (35 x 24.5 cm); 76 hand-colored copper plate engravings by Lawson, Warnicke etc. after Wilson. Spines worn, the leather at head and foot somewhat frayed, spotting and foxing which is heavy at places to both plates and text, the plates under guards, minor flaws to text. Bookplate of Samuel H. Zahm
Alexander Wilson's work was the first great domestically published ornithology of American birds, and one of the grandest color plate publications produced in the early Republic. The quality of the engraving and coloring is on a par with the best European works of the period. Reese remarks "This was the first American work to use color plates to convey scientific information, and the first real combination of text and color illustrations produced in the United States. Nissen 992; Anker 533; Reese 3; Bennett 114.It collates as follows: Vol. I (1808): 9 hand-col. lith. plates by the author; vi + 158 pp. Vol. II (1810): 9 hand-col. lith. plates by the author; ix + 167 pp. Vol. III (1811): 9 hand-col. lith. plates by the author; xvi + 120 pp. Vol. IV (1811): 9 hand-col. lith. plates by the author; xii + 100 pp. Vol. V (1812): 9 hand-col. lith. plates by the author; xii + 122 pp. Vol. VI (1812): 9 hand-col. lith. plates by the author; xx + 102 pp. Vol. VII (1813): 9 hand-col. lith. plates by the author; xii + 132 pp. Vol. VIII (1814): 9 hand-col. lith. plates by the author; xi + 146 pp. Vol. IX (1814): 4 hand-col. lith. plates by the author; lviv + pp 61-133.
Sold for $5,440
Estimated at $7,000 - $10,000
Includes Buyer's Premium
Estate / Collection: The Ken Harte Collection of Natural History
WILSON, ALEXANDER
American Ornithology; or, The Natural History of the Birds of the United States. Philadelphia: Bradford and Inskeep, 1808-1814. First editions (preface in vol. I dated September 1st, 1808). 9 volumes, uniformly bound in publisher's contemporary red half roan or sheep, marbled sides, edges yellow. 13 7/8 x 9 3/4 inches (35 x 24.5 cm); 76 hand-colored copper plate engravings by Lawson, Warnicke etc. after Wilson. Spines worn, the leather at head and foot somewhat frayed, spotting and foxing which is heavy at places to both plates and text, the plates under guards, minor flaws to text. Bookplate of Samuel H. Zahm
Alexander Wilson's work was the first great domestically published ornithology of American birds, and one of the grandest color plate publications produced in the early Republic. The quality of the engraving and coloring is on a par with the best European works of the period. Reese remarks "This was the first American work to use color plates to convey scientific information, and the first real combination of text and color illustrations produced in the United States. Nissen 992; Anker 533; Reese 3; Bennett 114.It collates as follows: Vol. I (1808): 9 hand-col. lith. plates by the author; vi + 158 pp. Vol. II (1810): 9 hand-col. lith. plates by the author; ix + 167 pp. Vol. III (1811): 9 hand-col. lith. plates by the author; xvi + 120 pp. Vol. IV (1811): 9 hand-col. lith. plates by the author; xii + 100 pp. Vol. V (1812): 9 hand-col. lith. plates by the author; xii + 122 pp. Vol. VI (1812): 9 hand-col. lith. plates by the author; xx + 102 pp. Vol. VII (1813): 9 hand-col. lith. plates by the author; xii + 132 pp. Vol. VIII (1814): 9 hand-col. lith. plates by the author; xi + 146 pp. Vol. IX (1814): 4 hand-col. lith. plates by the author; lviv + pp 61-133.
Auction: Rare Books, Autographs & Maps, May 1, 2024
-
Auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps on May 1, 2024 Totals $1.2 Million
-
A Medieval Manuscript Rules of St. Augustine Achieves $102k
-
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
