Auctions | May 29, 2012

Signed First Editions & Antique Posters Coming Up at NBA

National Book Auctions, located in Ithaca, NY, will host a Sunday, June 3rd auction featuring a broad range of rare antique books, as well as a quantity of posters and ephemera. Featured is a large collection of modern first editions, the majority of which retain their original dust jackets. We will also offer another session from the large nautical collection we are bringing to market over a series of auctions this year. Ephemera lots include magazines, advertising and various other genres.

Featured among the rare and collectible books to be sold are many modern first editions, including a number of author-signed copies.  Featured is a copy of “A Set of Six,” inscribed by author Joseph Conrad to colleague John Charles Tarver. Additionally offered are dozens of signed first editions by prominent writers such as Ed McBain, Michael Connelly and Jesse Kellerman, to name a few.  Also featured is the 1862 first American edition of Victor Hugo’s classic, “Les Miserables,” published in five volumes. A number of desirable antique children’s books will be sold, including pleasing volumes filled with color chromo-lithographic plates.

This session of nautical history titles features a quantity of new, uncirculated reference books as well as select antique offerings.  Many of the lots including new stock offer multiple copies of titles relating to ship modeling.  Additional new books which are offered individually include landmark printings and folios such as David Steel’s “Elements et Pratique de l'Architecture Navale,” originally published in 1805 and here offered as the 2001 facsimile reprinting of the complete folio.  Antique items include an author-inscribed copy of William Bainbridge-Hoff’s “The Avoidance of Collisions at Sea,” printed in 1886, and lots featuring groups of decorative antique bindings.

Found throughout this auction are pleasing groups of ephemera along with vintage and antique posters and broadsides and a unique 1885 sketchbook which includes 12 original works of art.  The sketchbook was circulated by a prominent lady of Victorian society who presented the book to several artists, principally in Boston in 1885 and invited them to create an original drawing within.  Included are two drawings and a letter, executed by and belonging to celebrated White Mountains artist, Benjamin Champney. Many vintage and antique posters will be offered, ranging from an important 1876 broadside to various twentieth century examples featuring the work of artists such as Pablo Picasso, Joan Miro and Jean Cocteau. Ephemera lots offer themes such as the 1893 Columbian World’s Fair in Chicago, advertising, and various others such as magazines including three
original issues of Alfred Stieglitz’s “Camera Work Photographic Quarterly.”  Also offered will be a personal collection of souvenirs, military-issued items and uniforms belonging to a U.S. Navy sailor who served in the Pacific theatre during World War II.

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. Preview for the upcoming Sunday, June 3rd auction is at 10 a.m. and the live auction starts at noon. For more information or to consign collectible material please contact David Hall, Business Manager, at 607-269-0101 or email mail@nationalbookauctions.com.