May 1, 2024 10:00 EST
Rare Books, Autographs & Maps
240
Authentic and Impartial Narrative of the Tragical Scene
Estate / Collection: Property from the Rotondaro Collection
[TURNER, NAT]
[WARNER, SAMUEL]. Authentic and Impartial Narrative of the Tragical Scene which was witnessed in Southampton County (Virginia) on Monday the 22d of August Last, When Fifty-Five of its Inhabitants (mostly women and children) were inhumanly Massacred by the Blacks! Communicated by those who were eye witnesses of the bloody scene, and confirmed by the confessions of several of the Blacks whie under Sentence of Death. [New York: Printed for Warner & West, 1831. First edition. Stitched as issued in the original blue paper wrappers, housed in cloth clamshell case. 8 x 5 inches (20 x 12.5 cm); 38 pp., folding woodcut frontispiece, an uncut and untrimmed copy. Stains and small losses to wrappers, old dampstaining and stains within, one fold of the plate strengthened.
A very rare copy of one of the first reports of the Nat Turner rebellion, albeit highly sensational. In August 1831, Turner led other rebelling slaves to kill as many as 65 white people, the largest amount in any slave insurrection in the South. Turner went into hiding while mobs, militias, and the state executed up to 150 slaves. The crude woodcut is titled "Horrid Massacre in Virginia." The pamphlet was published before Nat Turner was eventually captured and hanged. Howes W113.
Sold for $7,040
Estimated at $5,000 - $8,000
Includes Buyer's Premium
Estate / Collection: Property from the Rotondaro Collection
[TURNER, NAT]
[WARNER, SAMUEL]. Authentic and Impartial Narrative of the Tragical Scene which was witnessed in Southampton County (Virginia) on Monday the 22d of August Last, When Fifty-Five of its Inhabitants (mostly women and children) were inhumanly Massacred by the Blacks! Communicated by those who were eye witnesses of the bloody scene, and confirmed by the confessions of several of the Blacks whie under Sentence of Death. [New York: Printed for Warner & West, 1831. First edition. Stitched as issued in the original blue paper wrappers, housed in cloth clamshell case. 8 x 5 inches (20 x 12.5 cm); 38 pp., folding woodcut frontispiece, an uncut and untrimmed copy. Stains and small losses to wrappers, old dampstaining and stains within, one fold of the plate strengthened.
A very rare copy of one of the first reports of the Nat Turner rebellion, albeit highly sensational. In August 1831, Turner led other rebelling slaves to kill as many as 65 white people, the largest amount in any slave insurrection in the South. Turner went into hiding while mobs, militias, and the state executed up to 150 slaves. The crude woodcut is titled "Horrid Massacre in Virginia." The pamphlet was published before Nat Turner was eventually captured and hanged. Howes W113.
Auction: Rare Books, Autographs & Maps, May 1, 2024
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Auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps on May 1, 2024 Totals $1.2 Million
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A Medieval Manuscript Rules of St. Augustine Achieves $102k
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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
