Antiquarian Book Auction Preview (5)

Published 18th February 2019

A five volume Memorial Edition Set of Thomas Bewick's Works (BK21/241), offered in our Antiquarian Book Auction starting on 6th March 2019 at our salerooms in Exeter, Devon.

As always, the Antiquarian Book Auction offers something to suit everyone's interests. Within the Art and Art Reference section of the auction there is a five volume Memorial Edition Set of Thomas Bewick's Works (BK21/241). This is a limited edition of 750 copies and is estimated at £250-£350.

Lothar Meggendorfer's Princess Rose-Petal and Her Adventures (BK21/266a), which carries a pre-sale estimate of £500-£1,000.

In the Children's and Illustrated section, one of the highlights is a copy of Lothar Meggendorfer's Princess Rose-Petal and Her Adventures – A Moveable Toy Book (BK21/266a). Imagine the delight for the child who was originally the lucky owner of the wonderful moveable book, which is inviting bids of £500-£1,000.

The Peep View: Lane's Telescopic View of the Ceremony of Her Majesty Opening the Great Exhibition of all Nations (BK21/270).

Also within the same section of the sale is a peep view Lane's Telescopic View of the Ceremony of Her Majesty Opening the Great Exhibition of all Nations Designed by Rawlins (BK21/270). This hand coloured lithograph in five sections and incorporating the inside rear and front cover in the design is expected to fetch £150-£250.

The Bible, translated according to the 'Ebrew and Greeke' by Christopher Barker (BK21/298) and published in 1583.

Most book auctions contain a bible or two and this is no exception, with a copy of the Bible translated according to the Ebrew and Greeke by Christopher Barker 1583 (BK21/298) inviting bids of £800-£1,200.

A limited Folio Society edition of the Works of Geoffrey Chaucer (BK21/351).

A Folio Society Edition of the Works of Geoffrey Chaucer (BK21/351) in full natural coloured gilt Nigerian goatskin limited to 100 copies and dated 2003 is estimated at £200-£300.

Thomas Hardy's Tess of the D'Urbervilles (BK21/366).

Robert Louis Stevenson's Strange Case of Dr Jekylle and Mr Hyde (BK21/428).

One of the highlights of the Literature section of the auction is a set of three volumes of Thomas Hardy's Tess of the D'Urbervilles (BK21/366), dated 1891, which carries a pre-sale estimate of £400-£600, whilst Robert Louis Stevenson's Strange Case of Dr Jekylle and Mr Hyde (BK21/428) has an estimate of £200-£300.

The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent by Edward Hasted (BK21/506).

In the travel and topography section, The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent by Edward Hasted (BK21/506) in 12 volumes is estimated at £500-£700.

Charles Darwin's Origin of the Species by Means of Natural Selection (BK21/561).

John Gerard's The Herball or Generall Historie of Plantes (BK21/561).

In the Science and Natural History section, Charles Darwin's Origin of the Species by Means of Natural Selection (BK21/551), dated 1860, is being offered at £1,250-£1,500, whilst John Gerard's The Herball or Generall Historie of Plants (BK21/561) with upwards of 2,750 botanical woodcuts and dated 1636 is estimated at £300-£500.

In total, there are approximately 450 lots of books on offer in the Antiquarian book auction. The books will be sold not before 12:30pm, following on from the Philip Banham Collection of Optical Toys, Optical Prints and Stereoscopic, which commences at 10:00am.