Auctions | November 17, 2015

Botany, Incunabula, Engravings at National Book Auctions

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

This catalog presents rare, antique and decorative books as well as select additions of ephemera, artwork and collectibles.  Prominent in this sale is a selection of early botanical titles featuring fine plates.  An array of early engravings and lithographs is accompanied by a group of incunabula.

Antique and rare books in this catalog feature numerous titles.  Among the earliest examples are the 1677 printing of Felicius' "Iurisconsulti Italiae Praeclarissim Tractatus Desideratissimus de Communione Seu Societate," the 1694 first edition of the "Memoirs of the Sieur de Pontis," and Nani's "Historia della Republica Veneta," printed in 1676.  Other scarce titles include Benesch's catalogue raisonne, "The Drawings of Rembrandt," produced in six volumes in 1973, the 1893 first edition of "Captain Cook's Journal during His First Voyage round the World," and Nobbes' landmark angling treatise, "The Compleat Troller or the Art of Trolling," printed c1790 with woodcut illustrations.          

Several pleasing collections will also be showcased.  Highlighted is a broad selection of desirable titles relating to the field of botany including antique titles such as Stephenson and Churchill's "Medical Botany," produced in 1834 with hand-colored plates.  Additional lots will include vintage pulp printings and a private collection of science fiction works, Mark Twain first editions, and scarce titles from categories such as decorative antique bindings, the "Fruits of New York" series, magic, modern first edition fiction, military history, railroad, New York, early Americana, atlases, natural history, and much more.

Found throughout this catalog are interesting offerings of ephemera, artwork and collectibles.  Sourced from private collections and estates, numerous lots feature antique engravings and lithographs including botanical and important cartographic examples.  Three examples of incunabula with hand-colored vignettes are included along with several original antique oil paintings.  Antique ephemera lots incorporate stereoviews, postcards, railroad-related, magazines, travel-related, original correspondence, photographs, billheads, stamps, and other genres.  Select pieces of vintage and antique furniture will also be offered.

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.