Jun 25, 2026 10:00 EST
The Collection of a Florida Bibliophile
118
The large-paper edition of the Martial and Naval Achievements of Great Britain, with an original watercolor
Collection of a Florida Bibliophile
JENKINS, JAMES; and HEATH, WILLIAM, and THOMAS WHITCOMBE, illustrators
Two works. Comprising The Martial Achievements of Great Britain from the Year 1799 to 1815 and The Naval Achievements of Great Britain from the Year 1793 to 1817. London: J. Jenkins etc., n.d. [1814-15]; London: J. Jenkins etc., n.d. [1817]. First editions, first issues, one of a hundred possible sets on large paper (the edition size per Abbey), with the plates in exceptionally fine coloring with the surrounds delicately tinted up to the platemark, the text of the first on 1811 Whatman, and the second on 1816 Whatman. Two volumes, period burgundy straight-grain morocco extravagantly tooled in gilt and blind, the covers with the royal coat of arms with the Dieu et mon Droit motto, spine in five compartments with double raised bands, lettered in the second and fourth, blue coated paper pastedowns and free endpapers, all edges gilt, the binding likely coeval with the work and possibly a presentation copy of some form. 15 5/8 x 12 1/2 inches (40 x 31.5 cm); the first work with etched title (uncolored as in early issues) x pp. (including plate list), engraved hand-colored vignette title, hand-coloured dedication to the Duke of Wellington, 51 hand-colored aquatint plates (52 with the vignette title) after Heath, all with accompanying text, iv pp. subscribers at rear; the second work similarly with uncolored etched title, viii, with 55 hand-colored aquatint plates after Whitcombe of naval battles and ships and one plate with two etched charts, all with accompanying text, ii pp. plate list at rear. Light wear to the binding, which is almost imperceptibly rebacked (retaining the original spines), some spotting to the tissues, some plates with toning, still a very clean copy overall. No subscriber list in the second work (probably not called for in this issue). Name of William Willys in pencil at head of front free endpaper. Together with HEATH, WILLIAM. The meeting of the Emperors of Russia and Austria, King of Prussia, & Crown Prince of Sweden in the Great Square of Leipzig, Oct. 18th, 1813. Original watercolor laid to thin card, 6 x 8 3/4 inches (155 x 222 mm), signed and inscribed W. Heath Del 1814.
Two of the great military picture books of the era in their most desirable state, with coloring of an excellence rarely encountered, and with the plate surrounds delicately tinted, a feature not found in the regular issue (which is typically about two inches shorter in page height). Offered with this exceptional copy is a watercolor for one of the plates of the Martial Achievements by William Heath, the foremost British military watercolorist of the day. The first Abbey Life 365; Prideaux, p. 34; Ogilby, British Military Costume Prints, 498; Tooley 281. The second Abbey, Life 342; Prideux, 348; Tooley, 392.
Sold for $16,640
Estimated at $7,000 - $10,000
Includes Buyer's Premium
Collection of a Florida Bibliophile
JENKINS, JAMES; and HEATH, WILLIAM, and THOMAS WHITCOMBE, illustrators
Two works. Comprising The Martial Achievements of Great Britain from the Year 1799 to 1815 and The Naval Achievements of Great Britain from the Year 1793 to 1817. London: J. Jenkins etc., n.d. [1814-15]; London: J. Jenkins etc., n.d. [1817]. First editions, first issues, one of a hundred possible sets on large paper (the edition size per Abbey), with the plates in exceptionally fine coloring with the surrounds delicately tinted up to the platemark, the text of the first on 1811 Whatman, and the second on 1816 Whatman. Two volumes, period burgundy straight-grain morocco extravagantly tooled in gilt and blind, the covers with the royal coat of arms with the Dieu et mon Droit motto, spine in five compartments with double raised bands, lettered in the second and fourth, blue coated paper pastedowns and free endpapers, all edges gilt, the binding likely coeval with the work and possibly a presentation copy of some form. 15 5/8 x 12 1/2 inches (40 x 31.5 cm); the first work with etched title (uncolored as in early issues) x pp. (including plate list), engraved hand-colored vignette title, hand-coloured dedication to the Duke of Wellington, 51 hand-colored aquatint plates (52 with the vignette title) after Heath, all with accompanying text, iv pp. subscribers at rear; the second work similarly with uncolored etched title, viii, with 55 hand-colored aquatint plates after Whitcombe of naval battles and ships and one plate with two etched charts, all with accompanying text, ii pp. plate list at rear. Light wear to the binding, which is almost imperceptibly rebacked (retaining the original spines), some spotting to the tissues, some plates with toning, still a very clean copy overall. No subscriber list in the second work (probably not called for in this issue). Name of William Willys in pencil at head of front free endpaper. Together with HEATH, WILLIAM. The meeting of the Emperors of Russia and Austria, King of Prussia, & Crown Prince of Sweden in the Great Square of Leipzig, Oct. 18th, 1813. Original watercolor laid to thin card, 6 x 8 3/4 inches (155 x 222 mm), signed and inscribed W. Heath Del 1814.
Two of the great military picture books of the era in their most desirable state, with coloring of an excellence rarely encountered, and with the plate surrounds delicately tinted, a feature not found in the regular issue (which is typically about two inches shorter in page height). Offered with this exceptional copy is a watercolor for one of the plates of the Martial Achievements by William Heath, the foremost British military watercolorist of the day. The first Abbey Life 365; Prideaux, p. 34; Ogilby, British Military Costume Prints, 498; Tooley 281. The second Abbey, Life 342; Prideux, 348; Tooley, 392.
Auction: The Collection of a Florida Bibliophile, Jun 25, 2026
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Successful Auction of The Collection of a Florida Bibliophile on June 25, 2026 Tops $550k with 97% Sell-Through Rate
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Featuring a Wide Range of Americana and Military History Spanning the 18th through 20th Centuries
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We Invite You to Contact Us for a Complimentary Auction Evaluation of Your Collection
NEW YORK, NY -- Doyle's highly-anticipated auction of The Collection of a Florida Bibliophile on June 25, 2026 delivered outstanding results, with trans-Atlantic bidding driving the sale total beyond expectations and an impressive 97% sell-through rate. Comprising more than 200 lots, this extensive and fascinating collection featured books, manuscripts, and original illustration art spanning centuries of antiquarian interest.
Signed Volume from Abraham Lincoln's Personal Library - Sold for $64,000
Books from Abraham Lincoln's personal library are among the great rarities of the American book trade. Leading the sale was an 1849 first edition of William W. Campbell's The Life and Writings of De Witt Clinton inscribed by Lincoln that achieved $64,000, more than doubling its $20,000-30,000 estimate. Lincoln signed the book on November 19, 1860, less than two weeks after his election to the presidency. In February 1861, he would depart Springfield by train for Washington, never returning to his hometown until his burial following his assassination.
A United States Senator, Mayor of New York City, and Governor of New York, DeWitt Clinton is best remembered for championing the Erie Canal, one of the great infrastructure projects of the 19th century. Lincoln admired Clinton's vision and leadership, looking to him as a model of a strong executive capable of undertaking and completing ambitious public works.
British Military & Naval Color Plate Books - Sold for $16,640
The wide selection of color plate books featured magnificent first editions of James Jenkins' celebrated The Martial Achievements of Great Britain from the Year 1799 to 1815 and The Naval Achievements of Great Britain from the Year 1793 to 1817. Amid trans-Atlantic bidding, this elegant two-volume set sailed its $7,000-10,000 estimate to realize $16,640. Among the finest military color plate books of the early 19th century, these large-paper editions, featuring over 100 hand-colored aquatint plates, were presented in their most desirable state, with coloring of exceptional quality and delicately tinted plate surrounds not found in the regular issue. Completing the lot was an original watercolor by William Heath, the leading British military watercolorist of the period, prepared for one of the plates in The Martial Achievements.
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