Estate / Collection: Property from the Rotondaro Collection
LINCOLN, ABRAHAM and EVERETT, EDWARD
An Oration Delivered on the Battlefield of Gettysburg, (November 19, 1863) at the Consecration of the Cemetery Prepared for the Interment of the Remains of Those Who Fell in the Battles of July 1st, 2d, and 3d, 1863. New York: Baker & Godwin, 1863. The first appearance of the Gettysburg Address in book form. Original printed paper wrappers, housed in custom chemise. 9 x 6 inches (23 x 15 cm); 48 pp., woodcut plan of the cemetery. Lincoln's speech appears on page 40. Faint spot of dampstain to the upper extremity of the first few pages, a small stain and faint toning to title, intermittent spots and small stains, small old tape repair to inner wrapper at head of spine, a few small losses and splits, some glue residue visible along spine, with the bookplate of Victor B. Levit to inside case cover.
“The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.” This is the rare first book form edition of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, the most impactful of American speeches, delivered on the battlefield and published just days following the November 1863 consecration of the cemetery. While Lincoln’s speech is not mentioned on the title page and is printed following the text of Everett’s speech (which lasted two hours on the day), the Gettysburg Address is of enduring interest and is remembered as “immortal, one of the supremest utterances of the principles of democratic freedom” (PMM).
This first book form edition is preceded only by newspaper printings and the extremely rare 16 pp. pamphlet The Gettysburg Solemnities, which is known in three copies. Howes E233; Sabin 23263; Streeter 3:1747; Printing and the Mind of Man 351. Grolier, American 100 72 (note); Monaghan 193; Wills, Lincoln at Gettysburg 191-204.
Estate / Collection: Property from the Rotondaro Collection
LINCOLN, ABRAHAM and EVERETT, EDWARD
An Oration Delivered on the Battlefield of Gettysburg, (November 19, 1863) at the Consecration of the Cemetery Prepared for the Interment of the Remains of Those Who Fell in the Battles of July 1st, 2d, and 3d, 1863. New York: Baker & Godwin, 1863. The first appearance of the Gettysburg Address in book form. Original printed paper wrappers, housed in custom chemise. 9 x 6 inches (23 x 15 cm); 48 pp., woodcut plan of the cemetery. Lincoln's speech appears on page 40. Faint spot of dampstain to the upper extremity of the first few pages, a small stain and faint toning to title, intermittent spots and small stains, small old tape repair to inner wrapper at head of spine, a few small losses and splits, some glue residue visible along spine, with the bookplate of Victor B. Levit to inside case cover.
“The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.” This is the rare first book form edition of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, the most impactful of American speeches, delivered on the battlefield and published just days following the November 1863 consecration of the cemetery. While Lincoln’s speech is not mentioned on the title page and is printed following the text of Everett’s speech (which lasted two hours on the day), the Gettysburg Address is of enduring interest and is remembered as “immortal, one of the supremest utterances of the principles of democratic freedom” (PMM).
This first book form edition is preceded only by newspaper printings and the extremely rare 16 pp. pamphlet The Gettysburg Solemnities, which is known in three copies. Howes E233; Sabin 23263; Streeter 3:1747; Printing and the Mind of Man 351. Grolier, American 100 72 (note); Monaghan 193; Wills, Lincoln at Gettysburg 191-204.
Auction: Rare Books, Autographs & Maps, May 1, 2024
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.
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