Antiquarian Book Auction Preview

Rachel Littlewood previews the next Antiquarian Book Auction, which will be held on Wednesday, 4th Sepetmber 2019. The sale has many interesting books on offer, but the pre-sale highlight must be the rare Jane Austen first edition of her second novel 'Pride and Prejudice'.

Pride and Prejudice (BK22/117) by Jane Austen offered in our Books, Maps and Prints Auction starting on 4th September 2019 at our salerooms in Exeter, Devon.

The forthcoming Antiquarian Book Auction on 4th September 2019 includes a rare Jane Austen first edition of her second novel Pride and Prejudice (BK22/117). Published in 1813 in three volumes by Thomas Egerton, it is bound in near contemporary full calf. This much sought after Jane Austen first edition rarely turns up at auction, especially in a contemporary binding and hence this set of three volumes is expected to realise £6,000-£8,000.

The first English cookbook to include a recipe for ice cream, being Mary Eale's receipts book (BK22/390) is expected to create interest too. This is a second edition and was published in 1733. On the title page the author claims to be confectioner to her late Majesty Queen Anne. In this edition are listed some 126 recipes, many for making jellies, cream, jams, preserves, dried fruit, cakes etc. This scarce copy in its original binding is expected to realise £200-£300.

Mrs Mary Eales's Receipts (BK22/390).

A single owner collection of early children's and juvenile books is sure to be of interest too, the stand out lot from the collection being a rare pamphlet of some 40 pages published by Dyer of Totnes, circa 1816 (BK22/89). Titled 'A Short Treatise on the use of the Globes, for, Mrs Rachet's School, part II'. This is a rare early provincial document intended for the education of young ladies. Miss Rachet ran an Academy for Ladies in Totnes and this rare lot carries a pre-sale estimate is £100-£150.

A Short Treatise on the Use of the Globes, For Mrs Rachet's School, Part II (BK22/89).

Other highlights include William Borlase's 'The Natural History of Cornwall' (BK22/304), with map, 28 copper engraved plates, 1758 with an estimate of £375-£575 and a small collection of signed limited edition books by Ted Hughes, many of which are signed by him, including Season Songs, 1975 (BK22/186), which has a full page sketch by him of otters on the end paper and carries a pre-sale estimate of £100-£175 and Watership Down (BK22/50)by Richard Adams, which some consider to rank among the greatest eco-novels to have ever been written. In its original dustwrapper, it has a signed presentation inscription to the recipient from Richard Adams and as a bonus, a letter from the owner to the author with his reply. The pre-sale estimate is £250-£350.