Auctions | January 31, 2017

Twain's "1601" and Leather Bindings at National Book Auctions

[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 ephemera. We will offer a rare copy of Mark Twain's "1601" along with a sizeable private library of decorative antique leather bindings. Special printings and important signed items will also be presented.          

Antique and rare books in this catalog include numerous titles. Leading the group is one of the elusive copies of the Derrydale Press publishing of Mark Twain's "1601, Being a Fireside Conversation in Ye Time of Ye Goode Queene Bess," produced in 1926 and limited to 100 copies. Among the other early offerings, examples include the 1676 printing of Cave's "Antiquitates Apostolicae," featuring engraved plates, Pliny the Elder's "Naturalis Historiae Libri XXXVII," published in five volumes in 1685, and the works of Jonathan Swift with supplement, printed in fourteen volumes over the years 1755 through 1779. Additional rare pieces include signed examples of Berkeley Breathed titles from the celebrated "Bloom County" series, and the 1878 printing of Hamerton's "Etching and Etchers," containing original drawings and a signature by Charles Jay Taylor.                       

Several pleasing collections will also be showcased. Highlighted is a substantial array of decorative antique bindings, including many signed bindings. Fancy leather sets such as works by Thackeray, Cooper and Dickens will be sold along with many privately-bound tomes containing classic literature and poetry, history, books-on-books, theology and other genres. Vintage and antique titles from estate collections also include works from subject areas such as travel & exploration, history of the American West, philosophy, music & art, history of New York City and State, medicine, the Far East, and natural history, to name a few.   

Found throughout this catalog are interesting group offerings and ephemera lots. Ephemera offered includes antique billheads and correspondence, antique magazines (individual issues and bound compilations), along with a private collection of books and items reportedly belonging to a former mistress of Vladimir Nabokov.    

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.