BIASI, Guido (1933-84)
Inscribed Photograph Signed
- $95
This Neapolitan-born modernist painter and sculptor worked in Paris much of his career, and his works are found in major art museums worldwide. IPS (in French), heavy stock glossy 6" X 4 3/4", n.p., n.y. Fine. Color picture postcard of his landscape "Mémoire écologique," published by the Edizioni Galleria Blu in Milan. On the blank verso (never addressed or mailed), he boldly inscribes and signs it in French in black fineline: "Merci pour la lettre -- / .mieux tard / que jamais: voici / ma signature -- / Amicalement / Guido Biasi." (Thanks for your letter -- better late than never: here is my signature -- All the best.) Biasi died relatively young and his autograph material is seldom encountered.
More from Main Street Fine Books & Mss
Inscription and Signature
This Universalist minister and historian expounded his belief that Universalism dominated Christianity in its early centuries in such books as "Witnesses to the Truth: Containing Passages From Distinguished Authors, Developing the Great Truth of Universal Salvation" (1854) and others; in 1885 he published his own version of the New Testament -- "Hanson's edited New Testament"; his experiences as a Union chaplain during the Civil War he captured in his 1866 "Historical sketch of the old Sixth regiment of Massachusetts volunteers during its three campaigns in 1861, 1862, 1863, and 1864." Inscription and signature boldly penned in black ink on a 5 3/4" X 9½" sheet: "Sarah Eleanor Hanson / From her Father, the Author / J.W. Hanson / Christmas 1899." Near fine. On the verso is a photograph captioned "American Progress," which is the frontispiece for one of Hanson's last books: "Wonders of the Nineteenth Century: A Panoramic Review of the Inventions and Discoveries of the Past Hundred Years" (Chicago: W.B. Conkey Company, 1900). This gift inscription to his daughter was likely from a "hot off the press" copy of his latest book, which was copyrighted in 1899 but released in 1900. Unusual. Three Faces of Midwestern Isolationism: Gerald P. Nye, Robert E. Wood, John L. Lewis
SCHACHT, John N. (editor) 8vo. Stiff glossy wrappers. viii, 72pp. Near fine. Handsome, tight first edition of this slim collection of essays about North Dakota senator George P. Nye (1892-1971), Sears, Roebuck executive Robert E. Wood (1879-1969) and United Mine Workers labor leader John L. Lewis (1880-1969). This unique copy bears a choice autograph addition, for tipped to the inside front wrapper is a Typed Note Signed from Nye, 1p, 8" X 11", Washington, DC, 11 April 1936. Addressed to Arnold F. Gates (1914-93, noted Lincoln/Civil War scholar). Near fine. Two original folds. On "United States Senate" letterhead, Nye tells this admirer that "Our reports are to be ready within the next week and I shall see that a copy of it, autographed as requested, reaches you when it is available." Signed large and bold in full. Laid in is a printed "Compliments Friends The University of Iowa Libraries" slip.- $75
- $75
Windows Into China: The Jesuits and Their Books, 1580-1730
PARKER, John 8vo. Stiff wrappers. ix, 36pp. Frontispiece. Fine. Handsome first edition, limited to 1000 copies, of this address "Delivered on the occasion of the fifth annual Bromsen Lecture April 30, 1977" -- the fifth "Maury A. Bromsen Lecture in Humanistic Bibliography."- $30
- $30
Fifty Years of Collecting Americana for the Library of The American Antiquarian Society 1908-1958
BRIGHAM, Clarence S. Small 4to. Blue cloth with gilt spine lettering, dust jacket. 185pp. Frontispiece, illustrations. Fine/near fine. Handsome first edition, limited to 1000 copies, of this half-century chronicle by that august society's third librarian, who began in 1903 and ascended to the directorship in 1930, not retiring until 1959. A glorious read, I might add.- $55
- $55
Isaiah Thomas: Printer, Patriot and Philanthropist, 1749-1831
SHIPTON, Clifford K. Small 4to. Burgundy cloth with gilt spine lettering, pictorial dust jacket. xii, 94pp. Frontispiece, illustrations. Fine/very good. Faintest of jacket wear -- spine ever-so-slightly sunned. Handsome, tight first edition of the second title in the interesting "Printer's Valhalla" series, here a study of the influential publisher, author and American Antiquarian Society founder.- $55
- $55
An Almanack for Booklovers
SOWERS, Roy Vernon (editor) Small 4to. Light grey paper over boards with red lettering and decoration. 76pp. Illustrations. Fine. Tight and bright first edition of this old timey "Farmer's Almanack"-type compendium of miscellaneous book lore, trivia, poems, odds and ends of all bookish manner, "Comprising A BOOKMAN'S CALENDAR, also A CURIOUS ANTHOLOGIE selected from divers Authours these past 500 Yeares, and ADORNED WITH CUTS" -- a charming faux-medieval production illkustrated with 15th century woodcuts.- $45
- $45
Carte-de-Visite / Copper Printing Plate
(DARWIN, Charles) The pioneering English naturalist, biologist and geologist (1809-82) turned the Earth on its axis with his concept of evolutionary biology in his landmark, still-controversial 1859 "On the Origin of Species." Two images: First, a choice carte-de-visite, 2½" X 4". Near fine. This superb c-d-v depicts Darwin in three-piece suit in later years, with bottom edge bearing the name of the preeminent Victorian photography studio Elliott & Fry and their address and the verso bearing their backstamp. Darwin sat for Elliott & Fry several times, and this likeness dates from an 1874 sitting. Second, a highly unusual copper printing plate bearing a head-and-shoulders stipple-point portrait of an elderly Darwin set within a partial oval, affixed to a heavy (2 pound 2 ounce) 7½" X 9" X 3/4" board. Very good. This plate was clearly used, but remains quite attractive, with the copper still gleaming. It depicts Darwin about the same age as in the carte-de-visite, although based on a different portrait. Stamped into the wood at each corner and also at lower left of the printing plate is a miniscule "LPIU" (Lithographers' and Photoengravers' International Union, an American and Canadian trade union) and the number "76P" whose meaning is unclear -- which identifies this as an American product. The portrait was most likely used either as a book frontispiece or a book illustration, though the book has not yet been identified. Such plates are difficult to date precisely but it is likely of late 19th or early 20th century vintage. A delightful pair of unusual images -- the Carte-de-visite scarce and the copper printing plate likely one-of-a-kind.- $1,500
- $1,500
Inscribed Photograph Signed
CHEYSSIAL, Georges (1907-97) This noted Fench painter is remembered for his figures and many genre scenes. IPS (in French), 5" X 7¼", n.p., n.y. Fine. Parisian photographer's name/address inkstamped on verso. Glossy black-and-white photograph of a Cheyssial painting of a half-length pensive young boy in checkered sweater clutching a baton of some sort, boldly inscribed to Albertine Lopez and signed by Cheyssial in blue ink along the blank lower margin.- $95
- $95
A Dream of Fair Women
TENNYSON, Alfred Small 4to. Dark blue bevel-edged cloth with ornate gilt lettering and embossed black and pale blue decorations. 103pp (rectos only). All edges gilt. Tissue-guarded frontispiece, numerous illustrations. Very good. Bit of edgewear at tips and mainly at spine head/tail; inner front hinge lightly cracked but quite strong, while text block is tight and fine. Handsome first U.S. edition, bearing many steel engravings by many notable illustrators of the day (some full page, many in text). First published when the poet was barely twenty years old and put into its final form in 1853, this is the first separate American edition. Text and accompanying images are bright and superb, as is the binding despite faint wear. Often found in brown cloth and green cloth, no priority is established and this seldom seen blue cloth is most striking.- $125
- $125
Autograph Note Signed
NORDAU, Max (1849-1923) Together with Theodore Herzl, this Hungarian-born Parisian author, physician and social critic co-founded the Zionist Organization in 1897 and led the movement for what he termed "muscular Judaism" in his books and essays. ANS (in French), 1p, 4½" X 7", Paris, France, 11 February 1906. Near fine.Boldly penned in purple ink entirely in French, it translates roughly: "Sir and dear friends, I am at your disposal on Monday tomorrow at 5pm, happy to be able to be pleasant to you, even more happy to be able to be useful to you. Believe me your affectionately devoted M. Nordau." .- $295
- $295
