Auction of Fine Books & Manuscripts to be Hosted by Skinner Nov. 18th
Sale to Feature Rare Broadside Printing of the Declaration of Independence and Other Historic Documents
BOSTON, Mass. - Oct 31 , 2007
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www.skinnerinc.com - Skinner, Inc., one of the nation's leading auction houses for antiques and fine art, will offers bidders a glimpse into history at its auction of Fine Books & Manuscripts. The sale, with boasts 789 lots, will be held on November 18th at 11 a.m. and features important books and intimate documents, some of which have played vital roles in the shaping of governments.
Declaration of Independence Broadside
A featured highlight of the sale is a rare and historically important contemporary broadside printing of the Declaration of Independence (lot 11, est. $70/90,000), being sold to benefit a Massachusetts historical society. This broadside was likely printed between July 12th and16th, 1776, just days after the July 4th signing of the original document in Philadelphia. The signers of the Declaration decreed that the document be disseminated to the populace and the first replication was done by John Dunlap in Philadelphia the night of July 4th, for distribution on the 5th. The progress of the contents of the Declaration up the East coast can be traced by studying the dates of the broadside printings throughout the month of July. Due to the transient nature of paper, and the heavy handling that these broadsides would have received, there are believed to be fewer than one hundred of any date still known to have survived. These early broadside printings of the Declaration, arguably one of the most famous documents ever conceived, represent the lucent spark that ignited the flame of the Revolutionary War. There are few documents still in existence that so summarily changed the course of modern history.
Historic Documents
Aside from the Declaration of Independence broadside, bidders will excite over several other notable documents. One of the most important is an autographed letter by Thomas Jefferson, dated Philadelphia, January 3, 1794 (lot 20, est. $70/100,000). The letter to Thomas Pickney, Ambassador to Great Britain, informs of Jefferson's resignation as Secretary of State. After having served as Minister to France from 1784 to 1789, he was appointed Secretary of State under President George Washington during the tumultuous period of 1790-1793. Jefferson's resignation from this post was motivated by philosophical differences with President Washington. This letter was one of the last he wrote before retreating home to Monticello, where he remained for three years before returning to the political arena.
Another example of note is a bound group of three pamphlets. The orations, one delivered by John Hancock on March 5, 1774, one by Warren Joseph on March 6, 1775 and another by Dr. Benjamin on March 5, 1773, are "at the request of the inhabitants of the Town of Boston, to commemorate the bloody tragedy of the 5th of March, 1770" the Boston Massacre (lot 232, est. $4/6,000).
Finally, a collection of General Douglas MacArthur documents (lot 29, est. $7/9,000) comprised of three pencil written transcripts for coded messages will be offered. The first includes a coded message entitled "No. 5 SECRET PRIORITY" to General George C. Marshall War Dept., detailing his departure from Corregidor and relating the hazardous aspects of the trip along the way, as well as enemy sighting and travel difficulties.
Books
A gem of the sale is the complete collection of Henry David Thoreau first editions (lot 519, est. $18/25,000). The set includes: A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers; Walden, or, Life In the Woods; Excursions; The Maine Woods; Cape Cod; Letter to Various Person; A Yankee in Canada, with Anti-Slavery and Reform Papers; Early Spring in Massachusetts; Summer: From the Journal of Henry D. Thoreau; Winter" From the Journal of Henry D. Thoreau; Autumn, From the Journal of Henry D. Thoreau.
Audubon
While Skinner's Fine Books & Manuscripts auctions often include Audubon material, this sale's collection of the works of John James Audubon is unparalleled. Lots 616 through 683 (with estimates ranging from the low of $200 to a high of $40,000) include Birds of America, the plate series that tried to portray every bird in actual size, which is why the largest birds, the Flamingo and the Great Blue Heron, have contorted necks so that they fit on the page.
Audubon is one of the father's of American ornithology, and is credited with some level of conservation awareness. As was typical of the time, he did so while being an avid shooter. His critics sometimes claim the poses of his animals are overly dramatic, but his achievement in publishing is undeniable.
Preview and catalog information
Previews for the auction will be held from 12 to 7 p.m. Thursday, November 15th, 12 to 5 p.m. Friday, November 16th, 12 to 5 p.m. Saturday, November 17th, and 9 to 11 a.m. Sunday, November 18th. Illustrated catalog #2386 is available by mail for $32 ($39 for foreign requests) from the subscription department at 978-779-6241 x240. It is also available at the gallery for $29. Prices realized will be available at
www.skinnerinc.com during and after the sale. For more information, visit
www.skinnerinc.com. Skinner's site also allows users to view all lots in the auctions, leave bids, and order catalogs online.
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About Skinner
Skinner, Inc. is one of the nation's leading auction houses for antiques and fine art and the only major auction house headquartered in New England. With expertise in over 20 specialty collecting areas, Skinner draws the interest of buyers from all over the world and its auctions regularly achieve world record prices. Skinner provides a broad range of auction and appraisal services, and it is widely regarded as one of the most trusted names in the auction business. Skinner's appraisal experts regularly appear on the PBS-TV series,
Antiques Roadshow, and its specialty departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, Paintings & Prints, English & Continental Furniture & Decorations, Fine Ceramics, Jewelry, Couture, 20th Century Furniture & Decorative Arts, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Art, Fine Judaica, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, Science & Technology, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographic Art, and Discovery. Skinner galleries are located in Boston and Bolton, Mass. For more information on upcoming auctions and events, visit Skinner's web site
www.skinnerinc.com.
