Category: Past auctions

BOOK AUCTION JUNE 2 Literary Currents and Cultural Icons: First Editions, Feminism, and Illustrated Classics from the 19th & 20th Centuries

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Auction 1431 brings together an eclectic and highly collectible array of literary and cultural material, anchored by significant first editions, illustrated classics, and rare examples of visual storytelling. Spanning the 19th and 20th centuries, the offerings reveal a focus on works that shaped literary imagination, gender discourse, humor, and historical consciousness across continents. From the American mythos reimagined by Nathaniel Hawthorne to the radical feminist voice of George Sand, the catalog captures the breadth of influence across genres and formats.

Among the literary highlights is an 1887 edition of Hawthorne’s Tanglewood Tales, a reworking of classical myths for young readers. Its worn but intact state speaks to its historical use and continued appeal. In contrast, the inclusion of Indiana by George Sand—complete in its original 1838 French edition—offers collectors a rare opportunity to own one of the foundational texts of feminist literature. Its association with early Parisian booksellers and elegant binding further enhances its desirability.

Equally notable are the visual and popular culture offerings. A lot featuring four variant first editions of Walt Kelly’s Pogoshowcases the early development of American political satire through comics. These variations, annotated by a previous collector, reflect the bibliographic richness of mid-century cartoon art. Complementing these are nautical histories, such as Deep-Water Sail and Queens of the Western Ocean, which document the golden age of sailing and merchant shipping with photographs and fold-out plates.

Book auction, june 9th Faith and Fiction: Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Ste Therese, Literature, Ephemera etc..

 

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This auction catalog features a noteworthy selection of literary and religious works, anchored by a significant first edition first printing of Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe. Widely considered one of the most influential novels of the 19th century, Stowe’s work galvanized anti-slavery sentiment and remains central to American literary and social history. Its presence here, in a collectible format, stands as a highlight of the sale for scholars and collectors alike.

Equally important is the inclusion of a rare reliquary of Sainte Thérèse of Lisieux. This devotional object reflects the deep reverence surrounding the young Carmelite saint, canonized in 1925 and often referred to as “The Little Flower.” The reliquary exemplifies early 20th-century Catholic devotional art and holds special interest for collectors of religious ephemera.

While much of the catalog centers on literary works, other highlights include editions by noted authors such as Theodore Dreiser, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, and a first cloth edition of Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse. Though more modest in presentation, these volumes offer insight into the broader cultural and intellectual currents represented in the sale.

Several lot are books from the personal library of Edward Herrmann, the distinguished actor and bibliophile and father figure on Gilmore’s Girls the beloved television sitcom.