Auctions | October 7, 2014

Theology, Coins, Dickens at National Book Auctions

ITHACA, NY—National Book Auctions, located in Ithaca, NY, announces the launch of their next auction catalog.  

Book, Art and Ephemera Auction: Theology, Coins, Dickens, etc., Sunday, October 12. 

This catalog features rare, antique and decorative books as well as select additions of ephemera, artwork and collectibles.  Highlighted are fine private collections including author-signed modern literature, antique theology, and books by and about Charles Dickens. The ephemera lots include a large collection of antique photographs and glass slides with primarily New York State subject matter.

Antique and rare books in this catalog feature numerous titles.  Among the earliest examples are the 1516 Froben imprint of Saint Jerome's "Commentarii," four volumes from Laurentius Surius' "Bewerter Historien der Lieben Heiligen Gottes," printed over the years 1575 to 1580, and the 1671 first edition of Kircher's "Latium Id Est - Nova & Parallela." Other scarce titles include the 1923 first edition of George Grosz' "Ecce Homo," Pallas' "Travels through the Southern Provinces of the Russian Empire in the Years 1793 & 1794," produced in two volumes, and the 1818 first edition of Latrobe's "Journal of a Visit to South Africa in 1815 and 1816," featuring hand-colored plates and a fold-out map.

Several pleasing collections will also be featured.  A fine selection of early theological texts dating back to the 16th century includes titles already mentioned, along with examples such as Franciscus Sylvius' "Commentarii S. Thomae Aquinatis," produced in four volumes over the years 1695 to 1698, and the 1610 printing of Marguerin de la Bigne's "Sacrae Bibliothecae Veterum Patrum sev Scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum Indices Quatuor Locupletissimi."  Signed modern literature includes works by popular authors and public figures such as Barack Obama, Al Gore, Ed McBain, John D. MacDonald, Richard Dawkins, Elmore Leonard and many others.  Part of an estate library that is being offered includes a large collection of books by and about Charles Dickens including many scarce 19th century titles.  Another estate library includes an array of deluxe printings by publishers such as The Limited Editions Club, Nonesuch, Folio Society and others, many of which are signed and/or limited.  Additional collections include antique children's books, Civil War history, Quaker history, Americana, and much more. 

Found throughout this catalog are offerings of artwork, ephemera and other collectibles.  Art lots include original works such as linocuts executed by Palle Nielsen and signed limited edition lithographs by Max Slevogt.  Earlier pieces include a pair of Coptic or Ge'ez illumined manuscript leaves on vellum and cartographic collectibles such as Monk's 1859 wall map entitled, "Standard American Map Exhibiting the Larger Portion of North America."  In addition to the New York State-related photographs is a group of antique photographs of railroad locomotives.  Ephemera lots include antique postcards, magazines, chromolithographs, stamps, travel-related, original antique correspondence, antique photographs, and other genres.   The collectibles are led by a collection U.S. Mint proof sets, fresh from a local estate.

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 2014 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.