May 1, 2024 10:00 EST
Rare Books, Autographs & Maps
54
A finely bound, early, and complete set of Dickens's works
[FINE BINDING - SET]
DICKENS, CHARLES. Works. London: Chapman and Hall, 1863-1878. 31 (of 31) volumes, the "Library Edition." Three-quarters dark blue morocco gilt lettered and ruled, marbled paper boards, top edges gilt, signed "Bayntun. Binder. Bath. Eng" on the endpapers. 7 1/2 x 4 3/4 inches (19.25 x 12 cm); frontispieces, additional engraved titles, plates after Phiz (H. K. Browne), John Leech, George Cruikshank, and others. Toning to spines, some spots of rubbing and wear mostly at extremities and along spines, a few joints starting, Volumes I and II with some small rubbed spots and losses to marbled paper, contents generally clean and bright, sold as is.
A very early, if not the first, complete collected edition of Charles Dickens's works. Twenty-six of the thirty-one volumes were published during the author's lifetime, and the final volume, published in 1878, is The Life of Charles Dickens by John Foster. “The Library Edition came about largely because of the suggestion of [John] Forster that while Dickens's works were available in volumes in the Cheap Edition and in reprints of the serial parts, there was no high-quality edition that would appeal to the wealthy. Dickens eventually came round to the idea that an elegant edition could raise the stature of his writings... [It] sold at £15 for the set, a high price for the time” (Oxford Companion to Dickens). (Gimbel D32)
Sold for $2,432
Estimated at $700 - $1,000
Includes Buyer's Premium
[FINE BINDING - SET]
DICKENS, CHARLES. Works. London: Chapman and Hall, 1863-1878. 31 (of 31) volumes, the "Library Edition." Three-quarters dark blue morocco gilt lettered and ruled, marbled paper boards, top edges gilt, signed "Bayntun. Binder. Bath. Eng" on the endpapers. 7 1/2 x 4 3/4 inches (19.25 x 12 cm); frontispieces, additional engraved titles, plates after Phiz (H. K. Browne), John Leech, George Cruikshank, and others. Toning to spines, some spots of rubbing and wear mostly at extremities and along spines, a few joints starting, Volumes I and II with some small rubbed spots and losses to marbled paper, contents generally clean and bright, sold as is.
A very early, if not the first, complete collected edition of Charles Dickens's works. Twenty-six of the thirty-one volumes were published during the author's lifetime, and the final volume, published in 1878, is The Life of Charles Dickens by John Foster. “The Library Edition came about largely because of the suggestion of [John] Forster that while Dickens's works were available in volumes in the Cheap Edition and in reprints of the serial parts, there was no high-quality edition that would appeal to the wealthy. Dickens eventually came round to the idea that an elegant edition could raise the stature of his writings... [It] sold at £15 for the set, a high price for the time” (Oxford Companion to Dickens). (Gimbel D32)
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.
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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
