MEMORANDA OF CURTIS’S BOTANICAL MAGAZINE 1822 – c1832
(anonymous) Replicas of the first 58 volumes of Curtis Botanical Magazine rendered, in hand-colored floral illustrations and holographic text edited from and amended to the original text by an anonymous English artistic hobbyist and rebound (likely early 20thC) in 24 volumes. William Curtis' first volume was published in 1787; Curtis's volume 59, the last in this hobbyist's project is dated 1832, which coincides when the hobbyist concluded his or her work. (The magazine continues still under the auspices of Kew Gardens.). The hobbyist here started this ambitious undertaking in 1822, which is known from the notation, "Commenced 1822", he or she leaves on the title page of the first volume. The ten-year project concluded sometime in 1832, which the last entry is dated. The monumental work results in replications of illustrations and text for 3,024 species. The drawing and hand-coloring aspires to the original works of James Sowerby, the first of Curtis's artists. The hobbyist here sometimes copies, sometimes adapts Sowerby's style; the result, though technically primitive in execution, is consistently charming. The amateur's colors are not as vibrant as Sowerby's; supplies of high-quality natural pigments would have been limited to the amateurist. Bound-in after Curtis' Volume 42, is the actual, published Part 1 of "General Indexes to the Plants contained in the First Forty-Two Volumed of the Botanical Magazine", printed by Stephen Couchman and published by Sherwood, Neely & Jones, 1816, 40 pp, and Part II, 1817, pp 41 - 111. Most impressive is the hobbyist's holographed index to all Curtis's 53 volumes, which runs approximately 200 double-sided pages. These 58 volumes were collected into 24 bound volumes (presumably organized by the hobbyist thusly) and were professionally rebound in polished black half leather - with five raised bands,titles and devices in gilt to the spine, over green/salmon/ black marbleized boards, with marbleized edges - by appearances sometime in the first quarter of the 20thC by an anonymous binder. The bindings are of highest quality. Laid-in to Volume 1 is the original bill of sale for the work, from Henry A. Martin, print dealer and publisher of Washington DC, dated 11/24/1916. The original bindings were likely calf, which, with age, would have called for some kind of rebinding, here handsomely executed.- $9,500
- $9,500
The Letters of Charles Lamb, in Which Many Mutilated Words and Passages Have Been Restored to Their Original Form; With Letters Never Before Published and Facsimiles of Original Ms. Letters and Poems Volumes I – V (complete set)
Lamb, Charles Limited edition, 470 copies, uncommonly found complete in all five volumes. Volume I is 4to, Volumes II - V are 8vo. Each volume has double slipcases, the outer of which is moderately soiled and variously edgeworn. Volume I has faux vellum covers; Volumes II - V are the same tan paper-backed boards as the slipcases of Volume I. Light scattered foxing to contents, otherwise, covers and contents crisp, clean, unworn: well-protected by slipcases.- $275
- $275
LES DINERS DE GALA (and) THE WINES OF GALA
Dali, Salvador A pairing of trade editions of Dali's dining books, LES DINERS (1973) and WINES (Harry Abrams, 1978) uniform in format and design. LES DINERS has a gift inscription dated Christmas 1979 on the half-title. The corners of the gold-foil pictorial dutsjacket are a tad more chipped in LES DINERS than WINES; internals in both are near fine.- $425
- $425
DISFARMER: THE HEBER SPRINGS PORTRAITS 1939 – 1945
Disfarmer, Mike (photographs of). Scully, Julia (text). Miller, Peter (editor) Photographer MikeFarmer's photographs of the local folk of Heber Springs, Arkansas. Inscribed by the publisher on the half-title: "Too bad that the artist is not alive to sign this so you will just have to accept mine. Addison" Disfarmer (1884-1959) was best known for his portraits of everyday people in rural Arkansas from the 1920s to the 1950s. His stark, realist photographs were rediscovered in the 1970s and later came to be regarded as works of art. Because of his status outside of the artistic mainstream, Disfarmer's photographs are considered an example of Outsider art. (Source: Wikipedia). Dustjacket has some wear at corners and a slightly sun-faded spine,- $500
- $500
The Princess and Curdie
MacDonald's 1883 fantasy published as part of MacMillan's New Children Classics series with illustrations by Nora Unwin, and first edition thus. Front gutter partially revealed, else better than very good in unclipped, moderately worn dustjacket with a slightly sunned spine and closed tear front panel. THE HISTORY OF THE TIMES (5 volumes, complete) (THE LONDON TIMES)
Complete set - five volumes printed 1935 - 1948 - each volume uniform in format and binding, each volume individually titled. Each in original dustjackets which are variously chipped or with spines tanned. Still quite presentable and uncommon in complete uniform condition. An apparently unread/ unused set. The authorized history of the paper of record of London, founded in 1785. THREE TITLES ABOUT THE WORK OF NEW MEXICO ARTIST PAUL HURD
A lot of 3 titles by or about artist Peter Hurd. each inscribed by Hurd to a close friend and patron. Horgan, Paul. PETER HURD: A PORTRAIT SKETCH FROM LIFE. Austin: University of Texas press, 1971 ; Published for the Amon Carter Museum of Art, 1971 (1964). Third printing. 68 pages, illustrated in color and b&w. As new in dustjacket. Meigs, John (editor). Wyeth, Andrew (introduction). PETER HURD: THE LITHOGRAPHS. Lubbock, TX: Baker Gallery Press, 1969 (1968). Second edition. Reproduces 60 plates from 1935 -1938. Some soiling of dustjacket, book fine. PETER HURD; SKETCH BOOK. Chicago: Swallow Press, 1971. Large oblong. Reproduces 114 works in color, with attribution appendix. Dustjacket moderately rubbed/ soiled. book near fine. Peter Hurd (1904 - 1984) was an American painter whose work is strongly associated with the people and landscapes of San Patricio, New Mexico, where he lived from the 1930s. He is equally acclaimed for his portraits and his western landscapes. Early in his life, Hurd studied in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania under the noted illustrator N. C. Wyeth, along with two of his grown children. Hurd later married the painter's eldest daughter, Henriette Wyeth, who also is known as an accomplished painter. During World War II, Hurd worked for Life magazine as a war correspondent attached to the US Air Force. He created hundreds of "War Sketches".Hurd also was commissioned to paint the official portraits of two heads of state, United States President Lyndon B. Johnson and King Faisal of Saudi Arabia. (Sourde: Wikipedia). A Dance to the Music of Time: 1st Movement, 2nd Movement, 3rd Movement, 4th Movement (12 books in 4 volumes)
Mixed printings of the Little Brown's 4 volume set of all 12 books, all uniform in dustjackets that have minor edgewear and variously shallow losses at spine ends. Books appear unread. No ownership names or bookplates. Vol 1, 9th printing. Vol 2, 5th printing. Vol 3, 2nd printing, Vol 4 1st edition thus, first printing. THE GHOSTS OF MY FRIENDS: THE SPRIGHTLY SPIRITS OF MY EARTHLY FRIENDS AS RECORDED FOR ALL TIME BY THEIR OWN HANDS
Small 8vo, gray cloth in pictorial dustjacket that has shallow chipping around edges. Unique, autograph book from the turn of the last century, originally published in England, with an earlier edition in the US around 1906, attributed to Cecil Henland. How to use it? By writing and blotting your signature on the glossy pages and then doubling the page over without using blotter ink. What results is a sort of "ghost" ( a kind of Rorschach test image, which was only first used in the 1920s) of the person's signature. This copy unused. An odd little curio. The Age of the Grand Tour : Sketches of the Manners, Society & Customs of France, Flanders, The United Provinces, Germany, Switzerland & Italy in the Letters, Journals & Writings Between 1720 and 1820 with Descriptions of the most Illustrious Antiquities and Curiosities in these Countries
Oblong folio, 136 pages, illustrated. A fine copy, custom-bound by an unknown binder under the commercial auspices of Weitz Colman a defunct high-end specialty store in midtown Manhattan, in full light-green, polished leather with gilt decorations and titles. Modest surface wear. A handsome presentation. HUDSON RIVER HAYRIDE
Scarce juvenile maritime novel by Robert Carse (c1904 - 1971) known for his books on the sea, based on his early adult years as a commercial seaman. This story about a trio of young people caught up in piracy of whaling ship on the Hudson River. An apparently unread copy near fine in near fine, price-clipped dustjacket. Rebuilding Central Park: A Management and Restoration Plan DRAFT EDITION
The uncommon 1985 DRAFT EDITION published by the Central Park Conservancy itself that preceded the 1987 final edition published by MIT. Tall folio, pictorial paper covers, stapled spine, 93 pages, profusely illustrated with b&w historic and contemporary (showing the decline of the park) and original and new, restorative plans. A landmark study in both landscape and urban design and planniing. Covers a tad soiled, internals fine. CHOREOGRAPHY BY GEORGE BALANCHINE: A CATALOGUE OF WORKS
First edition, limited to 2000 copies. As new copy, in clear acetate wrapper, in light cardboards slipcase as issued. 4to, tan rough-weave cloth, green label w. gilt titles spine, 407, (2). Inscribed by Lincoln Kirstein on the colophon in rear with best wishes to a friend and supporter and dated by him October 1983. The Russian-born Balanchine (1904 - 1983) was the leading choreographer of American ballet and founder of the School of American Ballet. Lincoln Kirstein (1907 -1996) was an American writer, impresario, art connoisseur, philanthropist, and cultural figure in New York City, noted especially as co-founder of the New York City Ballet. FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS
First edition. (yes, the "A" on the copyright page) in first issue dustjacket without the photographer credit on rear panel. UNclipped dustjacket obviously heaviy worn and noticeably chipped about edges, missing a piece top of spine, with lots of (old) internal tape repairs. Book is quite nice - solid binding, no names, inscriptions or bookplates. HUNTING TRIPS OF A RANCHMAN: SKETCHES OF SPORT ON THE NORTHERN CATTLE PLAINS
The Medora Edition, #53 of only 500 copies printed. Publisher's brown cloth with gilt titles and cougar image front cover. 4to, xvi, 318, sides untrimmed, illustrated. Some crinkling of cloth at spine ends, front cover a little tender. No names, bookplates, etc. WALDMAN ON DANCE
Loose sheets place in clamshell box. Inscribed by Waldman to a close friend and patron: "To George In appreciation for your commitment to the arts. All the very best Max Waldman NYV 3/78" This edition limited to 200 copies, this copy numbered 41. 125 b&w photographs on 99 plates by Waldman of dance sequences from 28 ballets plus text. Fine all around.