Auctions | May 15, 2017

Currier & Ives, Signed Books, Western Americana 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. A vast array of antique volumes chronicling the opening of the American West will be featured, along with a private collection of original Currier and Ives plates.          

Antique and rare books in this catalog include numerous titles. Among the earliest examples are two tomes by William Camden, including the 1590 printing of his landmark chorographical work, "Britannia Sive Florentissimorum Regnorum," retaining the original wood cut illustrations, and "Remains Concerning Britaine," produced in 1614. Additional rare pieces include Roberts and Croly's "The Holy Land," published in six volumes in 1855, the 1801 first edition of Alexander Mackenzie's "Voyages from Montreal," featuring folding maps, and the limited first edition of Wheat's "1540-1861 Mapping the Transmississippi West," produced in six volumes.                     

Several pleasing collections will also be showcased. Highlighted is a sizable group of antique volumes relating to the American West, including such examples as the six-volume, 1845 printing of Wilkes' "Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition," retaining the original hand-colored folding map, and numerous mid-nineteenth century titles by John Fremont including works relating to California, the Rocky Mountains, Oregon, Missouri, Native American Indians and more. Other vintage and antique pieces also include volumes from the celebrated Fruits of New York series, fancy Easton Press bindings, author-signed copies, and areas such as arctic and polar exploration, magic, books-on-books, military history, Civil War, decorative antique, multi-volume sets, and much more.   

Found throughout this catalog are interesting ephemera offerings. These lots include antique photographs and tintypes, 18th & 19th century maps and atlases, antique cartes-de-visite, Americana, Civil War-related, original antique correspondence, bound compilations of Harper's Weekly (including Civil War year issues), rare prints of photogravure works by Yousuf Karsh, antique lithographs and engravings, antique magazines, issues of Derriere le Miroir, stamps, Hollywood memorabilia, postcards, and other desirable items.   

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 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.