May 1, 2024 10:00 EST
Rare Books, Autographs & Maps
349
A unique sixteen-volume photographic archive of a major NYC architectural firm
[ARCHITECTURE]
Sixteen-volume photographic record of architectural projects executed by the firm of Morris and O'Connor. New York: 1920s-1930s. Sixteen uniform spring-backed albums. 14 1/2 x 11 1/2 inches (37 x 29.5 cm); each album with between 24 and 36 toned gelatin silver prints (by Fischer and others) of buildings, interiors, (and, in some cases, plans) on guarded card mounts, each image 9 1/2 x 7 5/8 inches or the reverse, for a total of approximately 450 photographs, all carefully labeled in pencil on the mounts in a fine architect's fine script; the first volume with a single-sheet index of the projects and volume numbers. Light wear, but generally in attractive condition; with the firm's label.
Benjamin Wistar Morris (1870-1944) was among the foremost New York architects of the pre-WWII era, working in a variety of historically allusive styles, including (most notably) Tudor English Renaissance Revival and French Ecole des Beaux-Arts styles. His partner, Robert B. O'Connor, was his son-in-law and a Princeton graduate (1920); he was also a graduate of the Ecole de Beaux Arts The firm was favored with the patronage of J. P. Morgan, for whom they designed the great Annex to the Pierpont Morgan Library (see volume 13); the also designed the Wadsworth Atheneum (same volume). For John D. Rockefeller they designed the scheme for a location of the Metropolitan Opera House at Rockefeller Center, which was never completed; photographs of the plans occupy volume 10. Volume XI shows the interiors of the Cunard Building and the Queen Mary that they produced. The Continental Bank & Trust Building and the Seamen's Bank for Savings occupy most of volume 2A. The number of major New York landmarks in which they had a hand is remarkable, but they also created many major landmarks in Westchester and beyond. The sheer quality of the architectural photography used in these works is also worthy of note. This archive is likely unique; labels within the front covers show that this was the firm's own, and likely sole, copy.
Sold for $20,480
Estimated at $5,000 - $8,000
Includes Buyer's Premium
[ARCHITECTURE]
Sixteen-volume photographic record of architectural projects executed by the firm of Morris and O'Connor. New York: 1920s-1930s. Sixteen uniform spring-backed albums. 14 1/2 x 11 1/2 inches (37 x 29.5 cm); each album with between 24 and 36 toned gelatin silver prints (by Fischer and others) of buildings, interiors, (and, in some cases, plans) on guarded card mounts, each image 9 1/2 x 7 5/8 inches or the reverse, for a total of approximately 450 photographs, all carefully labeled in pencil on the mounts in a fine architect's fine script; the first volume with a single-sheet index of the projects and volume numbers. Light wear, but generally in attractive condition; with the firm's label.
Benjamin Wistar Morris (1870-1944) was among the foremost New York architects of the pre-WWII era, working in a variety of historically allusive styles, including (most notably) Tudor English Renaissance Revival and French Ecole des Beaux-Arts styles. His partner, Robert B. O'Connor, was his son-in-law and a Princeton graduate (1920); he was also a graduate of the Ecole de Beaux Arts The firm was favored with the patronage of J. P. Morgan, for whom they designed the great Annex to the Pierpont Morgan Library (see volume 13); the also designed the Wadsworth Atheneum (same volume). For John D. Rockefeller they designed the scheme for a location of the Metropolitan Opera House at Rockefeller Center, which was never completed; photographs of the plans occupy volume 10. Volume XI shows the interiors of the Cunard Building and the Queen Mary that they produced. The Continental Bank & Trust Building and the Seamen's Bank for Savings occupy most of volume 2A. The number of major New York landmarks in which they had a hand is remarkable, but they also created many major landmarks in Westchester and beyond. The sheer quality of the architectural photography used in these works is also worthy of note. This archive is likely unique; labels within the front covers show that this was the firm's own, and likely sole, copy.
Auction: Rare Books, Autographs & Maps, May 1, 2024
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Auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps on May 1, 2024 Totals $1.2 Million
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A Medieval Manuscript Rules of St. Augustine Achieves $102k
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Consignments Are Currently Being Accepted for Future Auctions
NEW YORK, NY -- Competitive bidding at Doyle’s May 1, 2024 auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps drove strong prices and a sale total that topped $1.2 million, surpassing expectations.
Featured in the sale was a fascinating selection of early manuscripts that achieved exceptional results. Highlighting the group was a 14th century manuscript of the Rules of St. Augustine from an English priory that soared over its $8,000-12,000 estimate to realize a stunning $102,100. The Rule of St. Augustine is among the earliest of all monastic rules, created about 400, and it was an influence on all that succeeded it. Other notable results included a 14th century Etymologiae of St. Isidore estimated at $5,000-8,000 that achieved $51,200 and a 15th century Prayer Book of Jehan Bernachier estimated at $10,000-15,000 that sold for $28,800.
A first edition of John James Audubon's octavo Birds of America sold for $41,600, far over its $25,000-35,000 estimate. Published in 1840-1844 in seven volumes, the first octavo edition was the final Birds of America publication overseen by Audubon in his lifetime.
The Fred Rotondaro Collection offered rare books and manuscripts on a range of subjects touching the African American experience in the United States over three centuries. A first edition copy of Frederick Douglass’ 1876 speech at the unveiling of the Freedman's Monument in Washington realized $12,800, far exceeding its $3,000-5,000 estimate. A first edition of the first issue of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin from 1852 also achieved $12,800.
Highlighting the range of offerings from the Ken Harte Collection of Natural History was a first edition Richard Bowdler Sharpe’s beautifully illustrated monograph of Kingfishers, 1868-71, that sold for $14,080, doubling its $6,000-8,000 estimate. It was accompanied by an inscribed copy of the rare unfinished chapter on the anatomy of the kingfisher by James Murie.
We Invite You to Auction!
Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. We invite you to contact us for a complimentary auction evaluation. Our Specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection.
For information, please contact Peter Costanzo at 212-427-4141 ext 248, Edward Ripley-Duggan at ext 234, or Noah Goldrach at ext 226, or email Books@Doyle.com
