Auctions | December 28, 2015

Botany, Sterner, Sendak at National Book Auctions

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

This catalog presents rare, antique and decorative books as well as select additions of ephemera, artwork and collectibles.  Prominent in this sale is our second session from a large collection of signed Maurice Sendak posters, accompanied by individual original Sendak drawings.  Another private collection includes early botanical books and engravings, as well as antique engraved maps.  Book lots include numerous important antique American West exploration titles.

Antique and rare books in this catalog feature numerous titles.  Among the earliest examples are Calmet's "Commentarium Literale in Omnes ac Singulos Tum Veteris cum Novi Testamenti Libros," produced in eight volumes over the years 1734 and 1735 with fold-out plates, the 1792 two-volume Rochefoucauld translation of "Constitutions des Treize Etats-Unis de l'Amerique," and the 1774 production of Rousseau's works by Alex Donaldson of Edinburgh, in ten volumes with engraved plates.  Other scarce titles include the author-signed, limited edition in four volumes of Seton's "Lives of Game Animals," the 1952 first state of Asimov's second book, "Foundation and Empire," in the original dust jacket, and the 1914 first edition of Roosevelt and Heller's "Life-Histories of African Game Animals," published in two volumes.            

Several pleasing collections will also be showcased.  Highlighted is a broad selection of desirable early Americana titles such as the printing of the "Acts of the General Assembly of the Province of New-Jersey" and the 1857 production in two volumes of Catlin's landmark ethnological work, "Letters and Notes of the Manners, Customs and Conditions of the North American Indians."  Additional lots will include scarce titles from categories such as Gnome Press first edition science fiction, decorative antique bindings, the "Fruits of New York" series, magic, modern first edition fiction, military history, railroad, travel & exploration, atlases, botany, and much more.

Found throughout this catalog are interesting offerings of ephemera, artwork and collectibles.  The Sendak posters and drawings include representations from most of his works, including "Where the Wild Things Are."  Other art lots are led by a collection of original copper printing plates and artwork by Albert Sterner.  Antique ephemera lots include antique engravings, cartography, vintage and antique pulp, science fiction, Zap Comix (with R. Crumb content), postcards, railroad-related, magazines, NOS magic-related pamphlets, travel-related, original correspondence, photographs, billheads, stamps, and other genres. 

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 2016 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.