Auctions | October 5, 2015

Hollywood, Rackham, Engravings at National Book Auctions

ITHACA, NY—National Book Auctions, located in Ithaca, NY, announces the launch of their next auction catalog. 

This catalog features rare, antique and decorative books as well as select additions of ephemera, artwork and collectibles.  This catalog also includes our next session from a large and impressive private collection of early engravings.  Dispersed among the many book lots is our second session of Hollywood collectibles.

Antique and rare books in this catalog feature numerous titles.  Among the earliest examples are the 1755/1756 printings of Ulrich's "Biblia die Heilige Schrift Alten und Neuen Testaments," produced in two volumes with engraved plates and a fold-out map, the 1806 first edition of Webster's "Compendious Dictionary of the English Language," and the 1855, two-volume edition of Prichard and Norris' "Natural History of Man," featuring steel engravings.  Other scarce titles include the 1880 first American edition of "The Turner Gallery," produced in a deluxe, leather-bound two-volume set, and the 1904 first printing of Jack London's classic, "The Sea-Wolf."         

Several pleasing collections will also be featured.  Included is a selection of desirable titles illustrated by Arthur Rackham, such as "A Midsummer-Night's Dream," "Arthur Rackham's Book of Pictures," and "The Springtide of Life," in a limited edition signed by Rackham.  Also offered will be a private comic collection, sold over several lots.  Throughout the catalog are desirable titles from categories such as decorative antique bindings, modern first edition fiction, military history, New York, early Americana, cartography, the American West, natural history, technology & engineering, and much more.

Found throughout this catalog are interesting offerings of ephemera, artwork and collectibles.  We're pleased to conduct another session of items from a very large private collection of early engravings, many of which are hand-colored.  Engravings in the collection date back to the 16th century and categories include cartography, ornithology, natural history, architecture, botanical, and more. Numerous lots feature film and Hollywood memorabilia including posters, lobby cards, press books, magazines and antique novel editions of films.  Important early maps will be sold alongside antique ephemera lots incorporating postcards, railroad-related, antique magazines, travel-related, original antique correspondence, antique photographs, billheads, stamps, and other genres.  The collectibles are led by a fine assortment of antique tea caddies.

National Book Auctions is a public auction service specializing in books, ephemera, and art. National Book Auctions is a targeted service offering experience and expertise unique to marketing antique and modern books and ephemera for consignors and collectors alike. The upcoming 2014 auctions will feature a wide assortment of collectible, signed, and first edition books. For more information, please contact the gallery at 607-269-0101 or email mail@nationalbookauctions.com.