May 1, 2024 10:00 EST
Rare Books, Autographs & Maps
65
The Audubon's definitive study of American four-footed wildlife
Estate / Collection: The Ken Harte Collection of Natural History
AUDUBON, JOHN JAMES and BACHMAN, JOHN
The Quadrupeds of North America. New York: V. G. Audubon, 1856-60. The third edition. Three volumes. Publisher's elaborately blind-stamped and gilt lettered brown morocco, all edges. 11 x 7 1/2 inches (28 x 19 cm); 155 hand-colored lithographed plates printed by J.T. Bowen; xvi, 383; 334; v, 348 pp., half-titles present. The bindings rubbed and with some scratches and nicks, the head of the rear cover of volume I badly rubbed, remnants of old shelf lettering at foot of spine, slight snag to headcap of volume III, the endpapers and flyleaves strengthened at gutter, spotting to preliminaries, some thumbsoiling and toning, the plates generally clean.
A complete set of John James Audubon's definitive study of American four-footed wildlife, the most successful color-plate book to be produced in America in the 19th century. Audubon conducted the research for Quadrupeds by travelling across America, notably over the Rocky Mountains to the Great Plains (and at the advanced age of 58 years old no less). Weakened by the return journey, he was only able to complete a little over half of the drawings needed for the book, and so he left the remaining animals, mostly smaller ones, to be drawn by his eldest son, John Woodhouse. The text was mostly compiled by John Bachman, then the leading expert on American mammals. While Audubon lived to see the publication of the "elephant" folio of Quadrupeds, he died in 1851 with the quarto edition only partly completed. This third edition is the last to be produced by the Audubon family. Wood p. 208; Nissen IZB 163; Reese, Stamped With A National Character 38; Sabin 2638.
Sold for $4,800
Estimated at $4,000 - $6,000
Includes Buyer's Premium
Estate / Collection: The Ken Harte Collection of Natural History
AUDUBON, JOHN JAMES and BACHMAN, JOHN
The Quadrupeds of North America. New York: V. G. Audubon, 1856-60. The third edition. Three volumes. Publisher's elaborately blind-stamped and gilt lettered brown morocco, all edges. 11 x 7 1/2 inches (28 x 19 cm); 155 hand-colored lithographed plates printed by J.T. Bowen; xvi, 383; 334; v, 348 pp., half-titles present. The bindings rubbed and with some scratches and nicks, the head of the rear cover of volume I badly rubbed, remnants of old shelf lettering at foot of spine, slight snag to headcap of volume III, the endpapers and flyleaves strengthened at gutter, spotting to preliminaries, some thumbsoiling and toning, the plates generally clean.
A complete set of John James Audubon's definitive study of American four-footed wildlife, the most successful color-plate book to be produced in America in the 19th century. Audubon conducted the research for Quadrupeds by travelling across America, notably over the Rocky Mountains to the Great Plains (and at the advanced age of 58 years old no less). Weakened by the return journey, he was only able to complete a little over half of the drawings needed for the book, and so he left the remaining animals, mostly smaller ones, to be drawn by his eldest son, John Woodhouse. The text was mostly compiled by John Bachman, then the leading expert on American mammals. While Audubon lived to see the publication of the "elephant" folio of Quadrupeds, he died in 1851 with the quarto edition only partly completed. This third edition is the last to be produced by the Audubon family. Wood p. 208; Nissen IZB 163; Reese, Stamped With A National Character 38; Sabin 2638.
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
