Dec 6, 2024 10:00 EST
Rare Books, Autographs & Maps
614
An immaculate set signed by Kipling and with original watercolors
Estate / Collection: The Collection of an International Multi-generational Family
[LIBRARY SET]
KIPLING, RUDYARD. The Works of Rudyard Kipling. London: MacMillan, 1913-15. The Bombay edition signed by Kipling and decorated with original watercolors signed by various artists in volume I, in this set Kipling's signature is surrounded by a bough of watercolored roses above the manuscript text "This set is specially bound and dedicated to the King and Queen of England." 23 volumes (of eventual 31). Finely bound in full tan morocco gilt, the covers paneled in gilt, the spines tooled and lettered in gilt and with raised bands, the top edge gilt, gilt turn-ins, watered silk endapers. 9 1/4 x 6 inches (24 x 16 cm); watercolor illustration to volume I by Douglas Frost, Bellville Carter, S. T. Turner, J. Standly, Lee Choat, J. B. Smythe, and others. The spines and extremities darkened and a trifle rubbed, some spotting within, bookplate of Apollonia Denkmann Davis and booklabel of Helen Davis Stibolt.
A rare example of the deluxe sets of the Bombay Edition of Kipling's works prepared for the King and Queen of England. Rare at auction, we trace another set sold recently which suggested the deluxe issue was limited to five sets but the current set does not mention a limitation. The watercolors are quite fine.
Sold for $5,440
Estimated at $3,000 - $5,000
Includes Buyer's Premium
Estate / Collection: The Collection of an International Multi-generational Family
[LIBRARY SET]
KIPLING, RUDYARD. The Works of Rudyard Kipling. London: MacMillan, 1913-15. The Bombay edition signed by Kipling and decorated with original watercolors signed by various artists in volume I, in this set Kipling's signature is surrounded by a bough of watercolored roses above the manuscript text "This set is specially bound and dedicated to the King and Queen of England." 23 volumes (of eventual 31). Finely bound in full tan morocco gilt, the covers paneled in gilt, the spines tooled and lettered in gilt and with raised bands, the top edge gilt, gilt turn-ins, watered silk endapers. 9 1/4 x 6 inches (24 x 16 cm); watercolor illustration to volume I by Douglas Frost, Bellville Carter, S. T. Turner, J. Standly, Lee Choat, J. B. Smythe, and others. The spines and extremities darkened and a trifle rubbed, some spotting within, bookplate of Apollonia Denkmann Davis and booklabel of Helen Davis Stibolt.
A rare example of the deluxe sets of the Bombay Edition of Kipling's works prepared for the King and Queen of England. Rare at auction, we trace another set sold recently which suggested the deluxe issue was limited to five sets but the current set does not mention a limitation. The watercolors are quite fine.
Auction: Rare Books, Autographs & Maps, Dec 6, 2024
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Auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps on December 6, 2024
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Consignments Are Currently Being Accepted for Future Auctions
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We Invite You to Contact Us for a Complimentary Auction Evaluation of Your Books, Autographs & Maps
NEW YORK, NY -- Doyle held a successful auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps onDecember 6, 2024 showcased is a wonderful diversity of Americana, maps, autographs, early books and landmarks of literature and science.
Highlighting the sale was the first edition of Spinoza's Tractatus theologico-politicus from 1670 that soared to $70,350. Spinoza’s Tractatus is his only work published during his lifetime and remains his most significant. It presents a clear theory of natural right, asserting that the love of God leads to love for others. The state exists to ensure liberty, not oppression, with justice, wisdom, and toleration as key. Influential to thinkers like Blake and Goethe, it shaped Romanticism.
The Jean Vounder-Davis Collection offered the largest trove of unpublished Raymond Chandler stories, poetry, letters, books and personal artifacts to come to market. Best known for his Philip Marlowe detective novels including The Big Sleep (1939) and Farewell, My Lovely (1940) and as screenwriter of film noir classics such as Double Indemnity (1944) and The Blue Dahlia (1946), Raymond Chandler is considered one of the top writers in the hardboiled fiction genre alongside Dashiell Hammett and James Cain. Held for decades, the archive belonged to Jean Fracasse [later Vounder-Davis] who was first hired in January 1957 as Chandler's personal secretary but quickly became his close friend, confidant, fiancé and muse to whom he dedicated his last book.
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
