Jun 25, 2026 10:00 EST
The Collection of a Florida Bibliophile
158
The finest illustrated book on Afghanistan
Collection of a Florida Bibliophile
RATTRAY, JAMES ESQ.
The Costumes of the Various Tribes, Portraits of Ladies of Rank, Celebrated Princes and Chiefs, views of the principal fortresses and cities, and interior of the cities and temples of Afghaunistan. London: Hering & Remington, 1848. First edition, with an original watercolor drawing of plate 25, "Gool Mohammed Khaun King of the Ghilgies" laid in. Original half red morocco with green moire ribbed cloth boards; red morocco on front cover with the title lettered in gilt; spine also gilt and lettered with the title, 24 1/2 x 18 (62 x 45.5). The watercolor drawing measures 14 3/4 x 10 3/4 (37.5 x 27 cm).. Additional hand-colored lithographeic title page, printed subscriber’s leaf, dedication leaf, errata slip, 29 hand-colored lithograph illustration on 25 sheets, many heightened with gum arabic, by R. Carrick and others for Day & Son after Rattray. Binding rubbed, with some loss to the leather covering the lower forcorners and the rear upper forecorner. Hinges repaired. Internally slightly toned with scattered light spots. The corners of the lithographic title page chipped, a short marginal tear to the bottom edge of the list of subscribers, and the second plate chipped at the bottom corner.
The finest illustrated book on Afghanistan. James Rattray was a second lieutenant in the 2nd Grenadiers, Bengal Army and served in the First Anglo-Afghan War from 1839 to 1842. The war ended in defeat for the British and tremendous loss of life on both sides. The list of subscribers suggests that the publication of Rattray's sketches was planned before the war's most deadly period. Deceased subscribers' names are marked with asterisks; included among them are several British officers who were killed in action in Kabul. Abbey Travel 513; Colas 2489; Lipperheide 1479.
Sold for $14,080
Estimated at $10,000 - $15,000
Includes Buyer's Premium
Collection of a Florida Bibliophile
RATTRAY, JAMES ESQ.
The Costumes of the Various Tribes, Portraits of Ladies of Rank, Celebrated Princes and Chiefs, views of the principal fortresses and cities, and interior of the cities and temples of Afghaunistan. London: Hering & Remington, 1848. First edition, with an original watercolor drawing of plate 25, "Gool Mohammed Khaun King of the Ghilgies" laid in. Original half red morocco with green moire ribbed cloth boards; red morocco on front cover with the title lettered in gilt; spine also gilt and lettered with the title, 24 1/2 x 18 (62 x 45.5). The watercolor drawing measures 14 3/4 x 10 3/4 (37.5 x 27 cm).. Additional hand-colored lithographeic title page, printed subscriber’s leaf, dedication leaf, errata slip, 29 hand-colored lithograph illustration on 25 sheets, many heightened with gum arabic, by R. Carrick and others for Day & Son after Rattray. Binding rubbed, with some loss to the leather covering the lower forcorners and the rear upper forecorner. Hinges repaired. Internally slightly toned with scattered light spots. The corners of the lithographic title page chipped, a short marginal tear to the bottom edge of the list of subscribers, and the second plate chipped at the bottom corner.
The finest illustrated book on Afghanistan. James Rattray was a second lieutenant in the 2nd Grenadiers, Bengal Army and served in the First Anglo-Afghan War from 1839 to 1842. The war ended in defeat for the British and tremendous loss of life on both sides. The list of subscribers suggests that the publication of Rattray's sketches was planned before the war's most deadly period. Deceased subscribers' names are marked with asterisks; included among them are several British officers who were killed in action in Kabul. Abbey Travel 513; Colas 2489; Lipperheide 1479.
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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