May 1, 2024 10:00 EST
Rare Books, Autographs & Maps
27
A rare account of divisions among Chinese missionaries
[CHINA]
Apologia de' Padri Domenicani Missionarii della China, overo Risposta al Libro del P. le Tellier, Giesuita, intitolato Difesa de'Nuovi Cristiani, ed alla Dichiarazione del Padre le Gobien della medesima Compagnia, Sopra gli onori che i Chinesi fanno a Confusio ed a'Morti. [bound with] Documenta controversiam missionarium apostolicorum Imperii Sinici de culto praestim Confucii... Cologne: Heredi di Cornelio d'Egmond, 1699. Original cream vellum over flexible boards, all edges sprinkled red. 6 1/8 x 3 5/8 inches (15.5 x 9.25 cm); [12] pp., 644, [10] pp. [including terminal blank]; 257, [3] pp.; with a 4 pp. list of errata at the rear. A few leaves rather toned or spotted, but generally a rather pleasing copy, with the duplicate stamp of the Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana on the title and final leaf, and various shelfmarks in ink on the pastedown.
An important account of sectarian divisions among the Catholic Church's missionaries to China. Pragmatically, the Jesuit missionaries, who were in favor at the Chinese court, had allowed their converts, the mandarins and princes, to honor their religious obligations to Confucius and their ancestors on certain traditionally appointed days; they otherwise professed Christianity. Dogmatically, the Dominicans and Franciscans absolutely forbade these venerations as a heathen practice, and after a century of dissension, Rome decided against the leeway that the Jesuits had permitted. From that time on Christianity was in decline in China, especially among the elite who had been its strongest proponents.
Sold for $704
Estimated at $500 - $800
Includes Buyer's Premium
[CHINA]
Apologia de' Padri Domenicani Missionarii della China, overo Risposta al Libro del P. le Tellier, Giesuita, intitolato Difesa de'Nuovi Cristiani, ed alla Dichiarazione del Padre le Gobien della medesima Compagnia, Sopra gli onori che i Chinesi fanno a Confusio ed a'Morti. [bound with] Documenta controversiam missionarium apostolicorum Imperii Sinici de culto praestim Confucii... Cologne: Heredi di Cornelio d'Egmond, 1699. Original cream vellum over flexible boards, all edges sprinkled red. 6 1/8 x 3 5/8 inches (15.5 x 9.25 cm); [12] pp., 644, [10] pp. [including terminal blank]; 257, [3] pp.; with a 4 pp. list of errata at the rear. A few leaves rather toned or spotted, but generally a rather pleasing copy, with the duplicate stamp of the Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana on the title and final leaf, and various shelfmarks in ink on the pastedown.
An important account of sectarian divisions among the Catholic Church's missionaries to China. Pragmatically, the Jesuit missionaries, who were in favor at the Chinese court, had allowed their converts, the mandarins and princes, to honor their religious obligations to Confucius and their ancestors on certain traditionally appointed days; they otherwise professed Christianity. Dogmatically, the Dominicans and Franciscans absolutely forbade these venerations as a heathen practice, and after a century of dissension, Rome decided against the leeway that the Jesuits had permitted. From that time on Christianity was in decline in China, especially among the elite who had been its strongest proponents.
Provenance:
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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
