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This auction presents a remarkably diverse collection of 159 lots, spanning nearly two centuries of printed material. The catalog reflects an eclectic mix of American and European publications, with particular strengths in art books, classical scholarly works, and Connecticut regional history.
Of particular note are several significant first editions and limited printings, including a scarce 1897 fire insurance history limited to just 30 copies (lot 57) and Rev. J.W. Loguen’s important 1859 slave narrative (lot 71). The sale features an impressive collection of art books, with comprehensive coverage of major American artists like John Singer Sargent, Mary Cassatt, and Gilbert Stuart. A substantial section is devoted to furniture and design books, with special emphasis on American colonial and federal periods.
The auction includes some notable ephemera, such as a 1942 WWII women’s recruitment poster (lot 1) and a December 1975 Rolling Stone magazine featuring Jack Nicholson (lot 98). Classical scholars might be particularly interested in the selection of scholarly texts from a professor’s library, including several important editions of Latin and Greek works. The local history section is especially strong in Connecticut materials, featuring several rare volumes on Litchfield County and Hartford.
For collectors of fine bindings, the sale offers several noteworthy examples, including vellum-bound volumes, Franklin Library leather editions, and specialized book arts publications like multiple volumes of The Colophon. The overall character of the collection suggests it was assembled by one or more serious collectors with broad interests in American history, classical scholarship, and fine arts, with many volumes dating from the late 19th to mid-20th centuries.
