Antiquarian Book Auction Preview

Rachel Littlewood previews the extensive offering of books for auction in the March 2017 Antiquarian Book Auction, which includes a large collection of Cornish books and a fascinating collection of material from the World War II Archive of Noel Melville Richard OBE LVO, Head of the Photographic and Reproductions Branch of the Air Ministry.

Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens (BK17/95) by Arthur Rackham is offered in our Books, Maps and Prints Auction starting on 15th March 2017 at our salerooms in Exeter, Devon.

The forthcoming Antiquarian Book Sale on 15th March 2017 has something on offer for everyone - for Cornish book collectors, there is the Harold Bowden Collection of Cornish Books, which includes over 100 lots of Cornish Books, including some extremely rare examples.

One of the most exciting of these is Philip Rashleigh's Specimens of British Minerals (BK17/584). Being two volumes bound in one, with 53 hand coloured plates of minerals, this excellent copy of this scarce early illustrated work on mineralogy is estimated at £3,500-£5,000. Also on offer from this collection is William Pryce's Mineralogia Cornubiensis – A Treatise on Minerals, Mines and Mining (BK17/580), dated 1778. This is probably the most important early work on Cornish Mining and carries a pre-sale estimate of £700-£1,000.

Philip Rashleigh's scarce early illustrated work on Mineralogy (BK17/584) carries a pre-sale estimate of £3,500-£5,000.

William Pryce's Mineralogia Cornubiensis (BK17/580) is another Cornish book on offer in the rare book auction.

Another collection included in the sale is the World War II archive of Noel Melville Richard OBE LVO who was Head of the Photographic and Reproductions Branch of the Air Ministry, which was located on the fourth floor in King Charles Street SW1. The building also housed Winston Churchill’s War Rooms in its basement.

Highlights of this collection include a four page facsimile printed agreement signed by Franklin D Roosevelt and Winston S Churchill – Articles of Agreement between the US and the UK in the matter of Tube Alloys (BK17/257), on the potential use of the A Bomb, dated 19th August 1943, which is expected to realise £500-£750 and a collection of 15 mainly large photographs of Winston S Churchill (BK17/258), including wartime poses in his map room. The photographs, capturing Churchill's spirit in typical defiant bulldog mode are inviting bids of £300-£500.

Articles of Agreement relating to the A Bomb, signed by Winston Churchill and Franklin D Roosevelt (BK17/257).

There is a good selection of volumes illustrated by Arthur Rackham, including two first editions of Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens (BK17/95 and BK17/97), both being offered at £100-£150 each and many others; a good selection of bindings; volumes on the English Civil War; Country books; woodcut illustrated books by Thomas Bewick through to modern fine private presses and so the list goes on with the offering of the 15th March 2017 Antiquarian Book Auction.