May 1, 2024 10:00 EST

Rare Books, Autographs & Maps

 
  Lot 246
 

246

An attractive copy of Douglass's second autobiography

Estate / Collection: Property from the Rotondaro Collection

DOUGLASS, FREDERICK

My Bondage and My Freedom. Part I. - Life as a Slave. Part II. - Life as a Freeman. New York and Auburn: Miller, Orton & Mulligan, 1855. First edition. Publisher's brown cloth stamped in blind. 7 1/2 x 4 3/4 inches (19 x 12 cm); xxxii, [33]-464 pp., 8 pp. ads (including one for Solomon Northrup's Twelve Years a Slave); frontispiece, plate at the beginning of the text. Slight wear to foot of spine, small loss to head, minor foxing, spot in the margin of signature C, but in all an excellent copy of this fragile work, uncommon in this condition.

This is the second of Douglass' four autobiographies, preceded by the 1845 Narrative. The introduction is by Dr. James M’Cune Smith. Several of Douglass's essays are included in the Appendix including “Letter to his Old Master” and “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” Sabin 20714; Blockson 9717.

Sold for $3,200
Estimated at $1,000 - $1,500

Includes Buyer's Premium


 

Estate / Collection: Property from the Rotondaro Collection

DOUGLASS, FREDERICK

My Bondage and My Freedom. Part I. - Life as a Slave. Part II. - Life as a Freeman. New York and Auburn: Miller, Orton & Mulligan, 1855. First edition. Publisher's brown cloth stamped in blind. 7 1/2 x 4 3/4 inches (19 x 12 cm); xxxii, [33]-464 pp., 8 pp. ads (including one for Solomon Northrup's Twelve Years a Slave); frontispiece, plate at the beginning of the text. Slight wear to foot of spine, small loss to head, minor foxing, spot in the margin of signature C, but in all an excellent copy of this fragile work, uncommon in this condition.

This is the second of Douglass' four autobiographies, preceded by the 1845 Narrative. The introduction is by Dr. James M’Cune Smith. Several of Douglass's essays are included in the Appendix including “Letter to his Old Master” and “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” Sabin 20714; Blockson 9717.

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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