May 1, 2024 10:00 EST

Rare Books, Autographs & Maps

 
  Lot 232
 

232

Three volumes by Clarkson

Estate / Collection: Property from the Rotondaro Collection

CLARKSON, THOMAS. Three works. Comprises An Essay on the Slavery and Commerce of the Human Species, Particularly the African. Dublin: P. Byrne and W. Porter, 1786. Original contemporary full tree calf; spine with five plain gilt bands. 8 x 5 inches (20.5 x 12.5 cm); xxxii, 256 pp. Tips rubbed; front hinge cracked but firm; together with An Essay on the Slavery and Commerce of the Human Species, Particularly the African. Philadelphia: Wiley, 1804. First American edition. Original full sheep with red morocco spine label. 6 3/4 x 4 inches (17 x 10.5 cm); xxiv, 25-259, [1] pp. Joints cracked, but holding; damp-stains to title-page and preliminaries and the rear 10 leaves; contemporary ownership signature; and CLARKSON, Thomas. History of the Rise, Progress and Accomplishment of the Abolition of the African Slave-Trade by the British Parliament. London: Longman, et al., 1808. First edition. Two volumes. three-quarters calf, marbled sides. 8 3/8 x 5 1/4 inches (21.5 x 13.25 cm); 573, 592 pp.; map and plate of manacles in the first volume, the second volume lacking the slave-ship plate. The binding rubbed but sound, internally some spotting, old damp-staining in volume II, which lacks the important folding plate of the slave ship.

Two rare editions of Clarkson's pioneering abolitionist classic; and a decent (though incomplete in the matter of plates) copy of his classic history of the slave-trade and its abolition.

Sold for $544
Estimated at $700 - $1,000

Includes Buyer's Premium


 

Estate / Collection: Property from the Rotondaro Collection

CLARKSON, THOMAS. Three works. Comprises An Essay on the Slavery and Commerce of the Human Species, Particularly the African. Dublin: P. Byrne and W. Porter, 1786. Original contemporary full tree calf; spine with five plain gilt bands. 8 x 5 inches (20.5 x 12.5 cm); xxxii, 256 pp. Tips rubbed; front hinge cracked but firm; together with An Essay on the Slavery and Commerce of the Human Species, Particularly the African. Philadelphia: Wiley, 1804. First American edition. Original full sheep with red morocco spine label. 6 3/4 x 4 inches (17 x 10.5 cm); xxiv, 25-259, [1] pp. Joints cracked, but holding; damp-stains to title-page and preliminaries and the rear 10 leaves; contemporary ownership signature; and CLARKSON, Thomas. History of the Rise, Progress and Accomplishment of the Abolition of the African Slave-Trade by the British Parliament. London: Longman, et al., 1808. First edition. Two volumes. three-quarters calf, marbled sides. 8 3/8 x 5 1/4 inches (21.5 x 13.25 cm); 573, 592 pp.; map and plate of manacles in the first volume, the second volume lacking the slave-ship plate. The binding rubbed but sound, internally some spotting, old damp-staining in volume II, which lacks the important folding plate of the slave ship.

Two rare editions of Clarkson's pioneering abolitionist classic; and a decent (though incomplete in the matter of plates) copy of his classic history of the slave-trade and its abolition.

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

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