May 1, 2024 10:00 EST
Rare Books, Autographs & Maps
234
History of the Rise, Progress and Accomplishment of the Abolition of the African Slave Trade
Estate / Collection: Property from the Rotondaro Collection
CLARKSON, THOMAS
The History of the Rise, Progress and Accomplishment of the Abolition of the African Slave-Trade by the British Parliament. London: Printed by R. Taylor and Co, for Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme, 1808. First edition. Two volumes, original publisher's blue paper over boards, with the original paper spine; protected in a brown leather-backed clamshell case. 8 7/8 x 5 3/8 inches (22.5 x 14 cm); [iv], 572 pp., folding map, plate of manacles; [ii], 592 pp., folding plate of a slave ship opposite p. 111. An uncut copy. the blue boards a bit soiled and worn, the spines lettered by hand at an early date, some chipping to the head and foot of the spine and wear to the joints, internally some scattered foxing and toning, a five-inch restored tear to the folding plate of the slave ship. Front free endpapers with the neatly written names of William Gundry of Calne [Wiltshire], dated 1808, the year of publication; his name also on the first title; stamped name of E.L. Joseph-Mitchell on first endpaper.
This is the best work on the history of the Abolitionist movement that led to the end of slavery in Britain and its colonies, and it is replete with extraordinary and disquieting anecdotes. The three plates include the engraving of the cross-section and plan of a slave ship, which, as Clarkson writes, made "an instantaneous impression of horror upon all who saw it." While at Oxford studying to become a clergyman, he wrote a prizewinning essay on slavery, and subsequently had a moment of conversion when "a thought came into my mind, that if the contents of the Essay were true, it was time some person should see these calamities to their end." Although his efforts undermined his health and fortune, in time he became a figure of enormous moral influence in Abolitionist circles, and he ranks with Wilberforce as an architect of the act abolishing slavery in the British empire that was ultimately passed in 1833.
Please note the images of this lot have been revised April 19.
Sold for $4,160
Estimated at $2,000 - $3,000
Includes Buyer's Premium
Estate / Collection: Property from the Rotondaro Collection
CLARKSON, THOMAS
The History of the Rise, Progress and Accomplishment of the Abolition of the African Slave-Trade by the British Parliament. London: Printed by R. Taylor and Co, for Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme, 1808. First edition. Two volumes, original publisher's blue paper over boards, with the original paper spine; protected in a brown leather-backed clamshell case. 8 7/8 x 5 3/8 inches (22.5 x 14 cm); [iv], 572 pp., folding map, plate of manacles; [ii], 592 pp., folding plate of a slave ship opposite p. 111. An uncut copy. the blue boards a bit soiled and worn, the spines lettered by hand at an early date, some chipping to the head and foot of the spine and wear to the joints, internally some scattered foxing and toning, a five-inch restored tear to the folding plate of the slave ship. Front free endpapers with the neatly written names of William Gundry of Calne [Wiltshire], dated 1808, the year of publication; his name also on the first title; stamped name of E.L. Joseph-Mitchell on first endpaper.
This is the best work on the history of the Abolitionist movement that led to the end of slavery in Britain and its colonies, and it is replete with extraordinary and disquieting anecdotes. The three plates include the engraving of the cross-section and plan of a slave ship, which, as Clarkson writes, made "an instantaneous impression of horror upon all who saw it." While at Oxford studying to become a clergyman, he wrote a prizewinning essay on slavery, and subsequently had a moment of conversion when "a thought came into my mind, that if the contents of the Essay were true, it was time some person should see these calamities to their end." Although his efforts undermined his health and fortune, in time he became a figure of enormous moral influence in Abolitionist circles, and he ranks with Wilberforce as an architect of the act abolishing slavery in the British empire that was ultimately passed in 1833.
Please note the images of this lot have been revised April 19.
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
