SHAKESPEARE, WILLIAM
Sonnets. Tercentenary Edition. Hammersmith: The Doves Press, 1910. One of 15 copies printed on pure vellum (and 250 copies on paper). Bound by the Doves Bindery, signed at end "THE DOVES BINDERY 19 c-s 10" in full navy blue levant morocco, covers with a double gilt-ruled border incorporating small three-leaf gilt-tooled ornament and circles, the upper cover gilt-lettered with the title and dated, with a small wreath of five-petaled rose tool and three-leaf ornament repeated six times; spine in six compartments with five raised hands, gilt-lettered in one, all gilt-panelled; board edges and turn-ins gilt; all edges gilt; housed in a cloth chemise and morocco-backed slipcase. 9 1/8 x 6 3/8 inches (23 x 16.5 cm); 88 pp. including terminal blank, printed in red and black, with three large wood-engraved capitals by Noel Rooke and Eric Gill. Very minor wear to joints. The Cortland Bishop-John Saks copy, with their bookplates.
A magnificent example of the vellum printing of the Doves Press bears a distinguished provenance and is in a very pleasing binding done by Charles MacLeish at the Doves Bindery.
Sold for $60,800
Estimated at $8,000 - $12,000
Includes Buyer's Premium
SHAKESPEARE, WILLIAM
Sonnets. Tercentenary Edition. Hammersmith: The Doves Press, 1910. One of 15 copies printed on pure vellum (and 250 copies on paper). Bound by the Doves Bindery, signed at end "THE DOVES BINDERY 19 c-s 10" in full navy blue levant morocco, covers with a double gilt-ruled border incorporating small three-leaf gilt-tooled ornament and circles, the upper cover gilt-lettered with the title and dated, with a small wreath of five-petaled rose tool and three-leaf ornament repeated six times; spine in six compartments with five raised hands, gilt-lettered in one, all gilt-panelled; board edges and turn-ins gilt; all edges gilt; housed in a cloth chemise and morocco-backed slipcase. 9 1/8 x 6 3/8 inches (23 x 16.5 cm); 88 pp. including terminal blank, printed in red and black, with three large wood-engraved capitals by Noel Rooke and Eric Gill. Very minor wear to joints. The Cortland Bishop-John Saks copy, with their bookplates.
A magnificent example of the vellum printing of the Doves Press bears a distinguished provenance and is in a very pleasing binding done by Charles MacLeish at the Doves Bindery.
Auction: Rare Books, Autographs & Maps, Nov 25, 2025
NEW YORK, NY -- Doyle’s November 25, 2025 auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps attracted strong global interest, delivering outstanding results and a sale total that surpassed expectations.
Highlighting the sale was a rare 1910 Doves Press tercentenary edition of Shakespeare’s Sonnets printed on vellum that soared past its estimate of $10,000-15,000 to achieve $60,800 amid trans-Atlantic bidding. One of just 15 copies produced on pure vellum, it is an exceptional example of the press’s vellum printing with an attractive binding by Charles MacLeish, enhanced by the distinguished provenance of Cortland Bishop and John Saks.
Also featured was a remarkable 1528 manuscript detailing the colonization of Venezuela by a contingent of conquistadors backed by the German financiers who supported Charles I of Spain in his bid for the Holy Roman Empire. Far outperforming expectations, it realized $35,200.
A standout among several intriguing American flags was a large and rare 21-star United States flag in the unusual Great Star pattern, circa 1819, which more than doubled its $10,000-15,000 estimate, selling for $35,200. The flag was created to commemorate Illinois’s admission to the Union in 1818.
Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. We invite you to contact us for complimentary auction estimates. Our Specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection.
