Jun 25, 2026 10:00 EST
The Collection of a Florida Bibliophile
19
The most important illustrated work on the Mexican-American War
Collection of a Florida Bibliophile
[MEXICAN-AMERICAN WAR]
KENDALL, GEORGE WILKINS and CARL NEBEL, artist. The War Between the United States and Mexico illustrated, Embracing Pictorial Drawings of All the Principal Conflicts by Carl Nebel ... With a Description of Each Battle. New York and Philadelphia: Appleton, 1851. Forest green cloth (possibly contemporary), the upper cover bearing an elaborate printed title label, apparently excised from the publisher's front wrapper (the typography matching that recorded by David Rumsey et al). 21 x 16 1/4 inches (53 x 41.25 cm); iv, 52 pp of text, lithograph map, 12 hand-colored lithographic plates on card heightened with gum arabic by Bayot (11) or Bayot & Bichebois (1) after Nebel, printed by Lemercier in Paris. Rebacked to style with strengthening to the hinges, the binding rubbed with some staining, soiling to the front cover, resulting in darkening of a portion of the printed label, which is neatly clipped at the corners, some spotting to the title page, marginal browning and scattered spotting to text. The plates mounted to later guards, a few of which are affected by light spotting or smudging, some marginal spotting and browning to these. Overall, the plates are in very good condition with bright coloring.
A landmark American color plate work, complete here with the lithograph map and twelve hand-colored plates. Carl Nebel had already published an important volume of Mexican lithographs before the war began, and he accompanied the American army at most of the major battles. His field sketches were lithographed in France by Bayot and include views of the battles of Palo Alto, Monterrey, Buena Vista, Vera Cruz, and more, and the series concludes with General Scott's dramatic entrance into Mexico City. Each plate is accompanied by a detailed description by George Wilkins Kendall, a well-known journalist who enlisted in the Texas Rangers for the war and later served on the staff of General Worth. "The very best American battle scenes in existence"—Bennett, Color Plate Books, page 65. American Battle Art 68; Howes K76 ("b"); Sabin 37362.
Sold for $14,080
Estimated at $10,000 - $15,000
Includes Buyer's Premium
Collection of a Florida Bibliophile
[MEXICAN-AMERICAN WAR]
KENDALL, GEORGE WILKINS and CARL NEBEL, artist. The War Between the United States and Mexico illustrated, Embracing Pictorial Drawings of All the Principal Conflicts by Carl Nebel ... With a Description of Each Battle. New York and Philadelphia: Appleton, 1851. Forest green cloth (possibly contemporary), the upper cover bearing an elaborate printed title label, apparently excised from the publisher's front wrapper (the typography matching that recorded by David Rumsey et al). 21 x 16 1/4 inches (53 x 41.25 cm); iv, 52 pp of text, lithograph map, 12 hand-colored lithographic plates on card heightened with gum arabic by Bayot (11) or Bayot & Bichebois (1) after Nebel, printed by Lemercier in Paris. Rebacked to style with strengthening to the hinges, the binding rubbed with some staining, soiling to the front cover, resulting in darkening of a portion of the printed label, which is neatly clipped at the corners, some spotting to the title page, marginal browning and scattered spotting to text. The plates mounted to later guards, a few of which are affected by light spotting or smudging, some marginal spotting and browning to these. Overall, the plates are in very good condition with bright coloring.
A landmark American color plate work, complete here with the lithograph map and twelve hand-colored plates. Carl Nebel had already published an important volume of Mexican lithographs before the war began, and he accompanied the American army at most of the major battles. His field sketches were lithographed in France by Bayot and include views of the battles of Palo Alto, Monterrey, Buena Vista, Vera Cruz, and more, and the series concludes with General Scott's dramatic entrance into Mexico City. Each plate is accompanied by a detailed description by George Wilkins Kendall, a well-known journalist who enlisted in the Texas Rangers for the war and later served on the staff of General Worth. "The very best American battle scenes in existence"—Bennett, Color Plate Books, page 65. American Battle Art 68; Howes K76 ("b"); Sabin 37362.
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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