Auctions | October 20, 2016

Canada, Egypt, Polar, West at National Book Auctions This Weekend

b9150557-2232-48a7-899e-d46e58edc399.jpg[ITHACA, NY] National Book Auctions, located in Ithaca, NY, announces the launch of their next auction catalog.  

This catalog features rare, antique and decorative books as well as select additions of artwork and ephemera. We will offer an array of period titles covering polar and arctic exploration, along with antique chronicles of the opening of the American West. Another antique collection includes desirable early printings of works on the exploration and history of Canada.             

Antique and rare books in this catalog feature numerous titles. Among the earliest examples are the 1607 first edition of Veen's "Q Horati Flacci Emblemata," featuring engraved plates, Alciati's "Emblematum Libellus," produced in 1545 with woodcuts, and the 1772 printing of Wise's "Vindication of the Government of New-England Churches." Other scarce titles include the 1952 first issue of Steinbeck's classic, "East of Eden," a 1919 printing of Kelley's "Book of Hallowe'en," and the 1928 first edition of Wanda Gag's signature title, "Millions of Cats."                   

Several pleasing collections will also be showcased. Highlighted is a collection of polar and arctic exploration titles, led by examples such as Weddell's "A Voyage towards the South Pole," produced in 1825 with folding maps and plates, and the 1867 printing of Hayes' "The Open Polar Sea," containing color maps and plates. Period works relating to the emerging American West feature titles such as the 1834 printing of Baird, Backe & Schenck's "View of the Valley of the Mississippi or the Emigrants and Traveller's Guide to the West," featuring color folding maps. Other important antique exploration chronicles cover areas such as Canada, Africa, Egypt, Central and South America, the Far East and the Middle East and present important works such as the 1802 first edition of Willyams' "Voyage up the Mediterranean in His Majesty's Ship the Swiftsure." Additional collections offer early theological works, including Quaker, and Americana.  

Found throughout this catalog are interesting offerings of ephemera. Included are several posters signed by Maurice Sendak, displaying illustrations from "Where the Wild Things Are."   

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 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.