May 1, 2024 10:00 EST
Rare Books, Autographs & Maps
143
The magnificent Cranach Hamlet in the deluxe binding by Dõrfner
CRANACH PRESS
SHAKESPEARE, WILLIAM. The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke. Weimar: Cranach Presse, 1930. One of 300 copies on regular paper, this copy 10 (there were also 15 copies on Imperial Japanese paper and 7 copies on animal vellum). Full crimson morocco, the deluxe issue binding by Otto Dõrfner, signed on the rear turn-in; covers with single gilt rules, spine with five raised bands, top edge gilt. 14 x 9 inches (35 x 23 cm); 186, [2] pp.; with the 35-page "Notes on the Text of Shakespeare's Hamlet, 1604" inserted into rear cover pocket as issued. Printed in orange and black (in the typeface designed for the press by Edward Johnston) on Gaspard Maillol's handmade paper, the "Notes" bound in salmon Maillol-Kessler paper; illustrated throughout with wood engravings by Edward Gordon Craig, in black and pail gray with occasional use of slate-blue; half-title lettering by Eric Gill. The spine slightly toned, light shelf wear; within, some offsetting from the laid-in tissues to the title and colophon, and a few spots of foxing to the penultimate text leaf, in all a handsome, fresh example.
This is one of the most beautiful books of the inter-war period, both typographically and in terms of the exquisite illustration, which was conceived by Gordon Craig, who had recently designed a set for the play for the Moscow State Theater. The inspiration for the woodcuts were the wooden stage models that Craig had prepared for that production. The marriage between the illustration and Kessler's typography is as near perfect as in any printed book I know. This copy is in the deluxe binding by Otto Dõrfner, the majority of the edition appearing in vellum- or cloth-backed boards
This edition was preceded by the German edition of 1929, but this is of course a typographically distinct production. The Artist and the Book 66; Ransom 253.
Sold for $25,600
Estimated at $7,000 - $10,000
Includes Buyer's Premium
CRANACH PRESS
SHAKESPEARE, WILLIAM. The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke. Weimar: Cranach Presse, 1930. One of 300 copies on regular paper, this copy 10 (there were also 15 copies on Imperial Japanese paper and 7 copies on animal vellum). Full crimson morocco, the deluxe issue binding by Otto Dõrfner, signed on the rear turn-in; covers with single gilt rules, spine with five raised bands, top edge gilt. 14 x 9 inches (35 x 23 cm); 186, [2] pp.; with the 35-page "Notes on the Text of Shakespeare's Hamlet, 1604" inserted into rear cover pocket as issued. Printed in orange and black (in the typeface designed for the press by Edward Johnston) on Gaspard Maillol's handmade paper, the "Notes" bound in salmon Maillol-Kessler paper; illustrated throughout with wood engravings by Edward Gordon Craig, in black and pail gray with occasional use of slate-blue; half-title lettering by Eric Gill. The spine slightly toned, light shelf wear; within, some offsetting from the laid-in tissues to the title and colophon, and a few spots of foxing to the penultimate text leaf, in all a handsome, fresh example.
This is one of the most beautiful books of the inter-war period, both typographically and in terms of the exquisite illustration, which was conceived by Gordon Craig, who had recently designed a set for the play for the Moscow State Theater. The inspiration for the woodcuts were the wooden stage models that Craig had prepared for that production. The marriage between the illustration and Kessler's typography is as near perfect as in any printed book I know. This copy is in the deluxe binding by Otto Dõrfner, the majority of the edition appearing in vellum- or cloth-backed boards
This edition was preceded by the German edition of 1929, but this is of course a typographically distinct production. The Artist and the Book 66; Ransom 253.
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
