May 1, 2024 10:00 EST
Rare Books, Autographs & Maps
33
John Linnell's illustrations of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling
LINNELL, JOHN
Capella Sistina di Michael Angelo Buonarotti. London: John Linnell, 1833-1835. First and only edition. Contemporary maroon half-russia, pebbled cloth boards, spine and upper board gilt, skillfully rebacked preserving original spine. 11 x 16 1/2 inches (28 x 42 cm); no title page as issued, forty-two engraved plates on india paper mounted, many signed and dated in the plate, tissue guards. Boards and spine with some scuffing and wear. a few spots of foxing to the plates, a few dog-eared corners and some light soiling to margins, creasing and tears to some of the tissue guards, bookseller's label of "Lawford, Saville Passage."
The only edition of this scarce album of engravings of Michaelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling, by the English engraver, portrait and landscape painter John Linnell (1792-1882). The plates are based on a set of original drawings that had been in the collection first of Sir Peter Lely, then Sir Joshua Reynolds, and subsequently Samuel Rogers, who gave Linnell permission to produce these prints. Linnell was a close friend to, and patron of, William Blake, whose art was greatly influenced by Michaelangelo. The album was originally issued in parts and is sometimes found with an 1833 prospectus leaf in the position of a title page.
Sold for $640
Estimated at $300 - $500
Includes Buyer's Premium
LINNELL, JOHN
Capella Sistina di Michael Angelo Buonarotti. London: John Linnell, 1833-1835. First and only edition. Contemporary maroon half-russia, pebbled cloth boards, spine and upper board gilt, skillfully rebacked preserving original spine. 11 x 16 1/2 inches (28 x 42 cm); no title page as issued, forty-two engraved plates on india paper mounted, many signed and dated in the plate, tissue guards. Boards and spine with some scuffing and wear. a few spots of foxing to the plates, a few dog-eared corners and some light soiling to margins, creasing and tears to some of the tissue guards, bookseller's label of "Lawford, Saville Passage."
The only edition of this scarce album of engravings of Michaelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling, by the English engraver, portrait and landscape painter John Linnell (1792-1882). The plates are based on a set of original drawings that had been in the collection first of Sir Peter Lely, then Sir Joshua Reynolds, and subsequently Samuel Rogers, who gave Linnell permission to produce these prints. Linnell was a close friend to, and patron of, William Blake, whose art was greatly influenced by Michaelangelo. The album was originally issued in parts and is sometimes found with an 1833 prospectus leaf in the position of a title page.
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
