Darwin, Charles (1809-1882) On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life. London: Murray, 1859. First edition (Lot 1144, Estimate $60,000-$80,000)
MARLBOROUGH, MA, May 13, 2016- This spring’s Fine Books & Manuscripts online-only auction will open for bidding on Wednesday, May 18 at 12 PM and conclude on Thursday, May 26 at 3PM.
The auction features a well-rounded selection of unique documents and rare printed books, including three documents signed by George Washington (Lots 1107, 1108, & 1109); a large archive of letters and notes by Nantucket whaler Seth Pinkham (Lot 1072, estimated between $10,000 and $15,000); a rare large-format signed photograph of Charles Dickens (Lot 1025, $8,000-$10,000); an early John F. Kennedy letter written just after the death of his brother Joe in 1944 (Lot 1053, $7,000-$9,000); a manuscript leaf from Henry David Thoreau’s Cape Cod (Lot 1099, $6,000-$8,000); two signed photographs of Theodore Roosevelt (Lots 1083 and 1085); and other interesting original material.
The history of science is represented by first editions of Darwin’s On the Origin of Species (Lot 1144, $60,000-$80,000); Alfred Russel Wallace’s A Narrative of Travels on the Amazon (Lot 1267, $2,000-$3,000) and The Malay Archipelago (Lot 1268, $2,000-$3,000); the first separate edition of Albert Einstein’s Foundation of the Generalized Theory of Relativity in German, 1916 (Lot 1163, $4,000-$6,000); and a first edition of John James Audubon’s octavo Birds of North America (Lot 1127, $30,000-$35,000).
Bayes, Jessie (1876-1970) Illuminated Manuscript, Six Poems from Gitanjali by Rabindranath Tagore. London, 1917 (Lot 1131, Estimate $15,000-$17,000)
Illustrated books are also featured in the auction, along with Audubon and other natural history prints and a very strong section of historic maps. Other highlights include a very early Helen Keller letter (Lot 1051, $3,000-$5,000) and a stunning illuminated manuscript from 1917 by Jessie Bayes (Lot 1131, $15,000-$17,000).
Previews, Catalog, and Bidding
Previews for the auction are free and open to the public. Previews will be held in Boston on Wednesday, May 24 from 10AM to 5PM and on Thursday, May 25 from noon to 7PM. Illustrated catalog 2891T is available for download or viewing online at www.skinnerinc.com. Prices realized will be available online at www.skinnerinc.com during and after the sale. The Skinner website also enables users to view all lots in the auction, leave bids, order catalogs and bid live, in real-time through SkinnerLive!
About Skinner
Skinner auctions draw international interest from buyers and consignors alike, with material regularly achieving record prices. The company’s auction and appraisal services focus on fine art, jewelry, furniture, and decorative arts from around the globe, as well as wine, fine musical instruments, rare books, Asian art, clocks, Judaica, and more. Monthly Skinner Discovery auctions feature a breadth of estate material. Widely regarded as one of the most trusted names in the business, Skinner appraisers have appeared on the PBS-TV series, Antiques Roadshow, since the show’s inception. Skinner has galleries in Boston and Marlborough, Massachusetts, as well as in New York City and Miami, Florida, with bidders participating in person, by phone, and online. Join auctions live with SkinnerLive! and Bidsquare. For more information and to read our blog, visit the website at www.skinnerinc.com, find us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
###
Contacts
Devon Eastland
Director of Books & Manuscripts
508-970-3293
I have a full 40 volume set of the Naturalist’s Library (William Jardin) with hand colored plates. Very good condition. Is this something that you would include in your auction?
Hi Kathy, Our appraisals department would be happy to assist you in finding out more about your books. Please submit photos and an auction evaluation form via our website. Initial auction evaluations are complimentary. https://www.skinnerinc.com/selling/auction-evaluation-form/