May 1, 2024 10:00 EST
Rare Books, Autographs & Maps
64
The first edition of Audubon's octavo Birds of America
AUDUBON, JOHN JAMES
The Birds of America. New York: Published by J.J. Audubon; Philadelphia: J.B. Chevalier, 1840-1844. First octavo edition. Seven volumes, dark blue pebbled leather blocked in gilt with a central motif of an urn surrounded by an arabesque border of an ornithological theme, almost certainly an elaborate deluxe publisher's binding, flat spines, white moire endpapers. 10 3/8 x 6 1/2 inches (26.5 x 16.5 cm); half-titles and lists of subscribers present in all volumes, 500 finely hand-colored lithographic plates after Audubon, printed and colored by J.T. Bowen, in-text illustrations. Light spotting throughout, heaviest at preliminaries and on tissue guards, a few leaves in volume VI with a marginal stain, plate 280 with an old tissue adhesion, but overall a clean copy in both text and plates, spines rubbed at joints, some separation to the rear joint of the first volume at the head, shelf-labels at foot of spines, volume V with the front hinge cracked through at the endpaper, volume VI with chip at head of spine, other minor spine defects.
A pleasing set of the first octavo edition in one of the more attractive and appropriate trade bindings for this work we have seen. Reese notes the work as "the most extensive color plate book produced in America up to that time". The first octavo edition, expanded in both plate count and the number of species depicted, was the final Birds of America publication overseen by Audubon in his lifetime, and was designed to be available "at such a price, as would enable every student or lover of nature to place it in his library" (introduction). Bennett p. 5; Nissen IVB 51; Reese 34; Sabin 2364; McGill/Wood p.208; Ayer/Zimmer p. 22.
Sold for $41,600
Estimated at $25,000 - $35,000
Includes Buyer's Premium
AUDUBON, JOHN JAMES
The Birds of America. New York: Published by J.J. Audubon; Philadelphia: J.B. Chevalier, 1840-1844. First octavo edition. Seven volumes, dark blue pebbled leather blocked in gilt with a central motif of an urn surrounded by an arabesque border of an ornithological theme, almost certainly an elaborate deluxe publisher's binding, flat spines, white moire endpapers. 10 3/8 x 6 1/2 inches (26.5 x 16.5 cm); half-titles and lists of subscribers present in all volumes, 500 finely hand-colored lithographic plates after Audubon, printed and colored by J.T. Bowen, in-text illustrations. Light spotting throughout, heaviest at preliminaries and on tissue guards, a few leaves in volume VI with a marginal stain, plate 280 with an old tissue adhesion, but overall a clean copy in both text and plates, spines rubbed at joints, some separation to the rear joint of the first volume at the head, shelf-labels at foot of spines, volume V with the front hinge cracked through at the endpaper, volume VI with chip at head of spine, other minor spine defects.
A pleasing set of the first octavo edition in one of the more attractive and appropriate trade bindings for this work we have seen. Reese notes the work as "the most extensive color plate book produced in America up to that time". The first octavo edition, expanded in both plate count and the number of species depicted, was the final Birds of America publication overseen by Audubon in his lifetime, and was designed to be available "at such a price, as would enable every student or lover of nature to place it in his library" (introduction). Bennett p. 5; Nissen IVB 51; Reese 34; Sabin 2364; McGill/Wood p.208; Ayer/Zimmer p. 22.
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
