Auctions | September 20, 2011

Twain, Seuss, Rembrandt Results from National Book Auctions

[ITHACA, NY] National Book Auctions, located in Ithaca, NY, hosted a Sunday, September 11th auction featuring a broad assortment of collectible books and ephemera, highlighted by the works of notable authors such as Mark Twain, Benjamin Franklin, and Alexander Hamilton. The 404-lot auction also featured a collection of rare antique atlases, antique Victorian lithographs, and items relating to the Civil War.
 
A scarce memorial edition of “The Writings of Mark Twain” (1929) fetched a hammer price of $8700 (including buyer’s premium). This 36-volume set features a unique, original handwritten manuscript page from the Estate of Samuel L. Clemens (Mark Twain) in Volume One. This handsome set is decoratively bound in three-quarter crimson leather over light red cloth with five raised spine bands and gilt tooling in the compartments. The set is hand-numbered 56 of 90 sets containing the manuscript material and signed by the publisher.
 
Realizing a hammer price of $1080 (including buyer’s premium) was the first edition of “The Private Life of Benjamin Franklin” (1793). This antique volume is a scarce autobiographical work, considered to be the greatest autobiography produced in Colonial America.
 
Another noteworthy item was an original period or early engraving by (or after) Rembrandt, which fetched a hammer price of $1020 (including buyer’s premium). This piece, which features a woman holding a flower, shows a magnificent level of detail.
 
A vintage first edition of Dr. Seuss’s “The Cat In The Hat” (1957) brought a hammer price of $960.00 (including buyer’s premium). This copy of the landmark children’s book included the first issue dust jacket.

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, October 2nd 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.