Auctions | October 17, 2016

Sotheby's to Present Selections from the Fox Pointe Manor Library

NEW YORK, October 2016 - Sotheby’s is pleased to announce the sale of Selections from the Fox Pointe Manor Library - a spectacular exhibition space and private home located in Anaheim, California. From William Shakespeare to John Locke, the collection compiled by philanthropists Howard and Linda Knohl is largely focused on English books from the 16th and 17th centuries. Diverse topics include literature, travel, Americana, science and medicine, sports and cookery. Following a four-day exhibition in the New York galleries, Selections from the Fox Pointe Manor Library will be offered over two sessions on 26 October 2016.

The Knohl’s were first drawn to the world of antiquarian books when, while raising their family and establishing themselves professionally, they were gifted a rare first-edition book. Captivated by the illustration, text and typography, Dr. Knohl began collecting English language first-edition texts printed before 1700, eventually compiling a collection of over 4,000 titles. Fueled by this passion to collect, the Knohl’s began expanding their collecting into other fields including art from the 15th through 19th centuries - bronze statues, ceramics, and clocks from Europe and the United States - with themes and scenes similar to those described in their book collection. Their diverse and accomplishing collecting tastes can be seen and admired by all visitors to Fox Pointe, their private home in Anaheim, California.

Lot 267

William Shakespeare

Comedies, Histories, and Tragedies (1685)

Published according to the true original copies. Unto which is added, seven plays, never before printed in folio. Fourth Folio, first issue.

Estimate $70/100,000

Lot 259

Dr. Hartmann Schedel

Liber Cronicarum (1493)

Nuremberg: Anton Koberger for Sebald Schreyer and Sebastian Kammermeister.

First edition of the most extensively illustrated book of the fifteenth century.

Estimate $80/90,000

Lot 6

Anthony Askham

A Lytel Treatyse of Astronomy (1552)

Declaryng The Leape Yere, And What Is The Cause Therof, And Howe To Knowe Saynte Mathies Day For Ever, With The Marvelous Mocion Of The Sonne ... And Also The Dyversities That May Come By Dyvers And Sundry Inhabitacions Upon The Earth. London: Imprinted by Wylliam Powel.

Estimate $20/30,000

Lot 244

Samuel Purchas

Purchas His Pilgrimes (1624-26) 

[With] purchase his pilgrimage. London: Printed by William Stansby for Henrie Fetherstone, 1624-26.

Estimate $70/90,000