Auctions | February 7, 2012

Civil War, Baseball, and more at National Book Auctions in February

[ITHACA, NY] National Book Auctions, located in Ithaca, NY, will host a Sunday, February 19th auction featuring a broad range of rare antique books, as well as intriguing ephemera and artwork.  Of particular note are rare first editions of early and modern titles, many of which are signed.  Also featured are important Civil War history titles including large, important reference sets.  Ephemera lots include magazines, postage and postal history, advertising and various other genres.  Also being offered are two important bronze sculptures and Major League Baseball collectibles.

Important books in this auction include first editions, many of which are author-signed. Noteworthy examples include an author-signed copy of Michael Shaara’s “The Killer Angels” and first editions by Cormac McCarthy and Herman Melville.  Other lots include decorative sets by classic authors such as Henry Fielding and Charles Dickens as well as early printings of works by Charles Darwin.  Early works in French and Italian, dating back to the 1700’s, will also be sold.  Civil War historical works include the entire 128-volume work, “The War of the Rebellion:  A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies” and the complete 36-volume printing in leather by the Easton Press of “The Library of the Civil War.”  Modern works include hundreds of signed first editions by prominent writers such as Sue Grafton, Ha Jin, Tess Gerritsen, Jeffrey Archer, John Grisham, P. D. James, Dean Koontz and Dick Francis, to name just a few.

Found throughout this auction are pleasing groups of ephemera and artwork. Leading the art field is a pair of limited edition bronze sculptures of works by Erte and Mario Jason.  Dozens of the ephemera lots in this auction offer early postage and postal history including early American cancels and postage from Roman States, as well as cancels which date back centuries.  A large collection of vintage and antique collectible magazines will also be offered.

Other important collections offered in this auction include an array of themes. Reference libraries of Sherlockiana and volumes relating to the assassination of John Fitzgerald Kennedy will be sold.  We will also bring to market more material from the estate of renowned philanthropist and collector, Charles Rand Penney, including items from the 1893 Columbian Exposition, the 1934 Century of Progress World’s Fair in Chicago and the New York World’s Fair in 1939.  Several signed baseballs will be offered including two Waterford Crystal limited edition pieces which commemorate the 2000 World Series win by the New York Yankees.

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, February 19th 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.