Mar 31, 2001, The B. H. Manuscript/Collectible/Philatelic Sale, Sale 9

Books and Newspapers

Lot 771
Ramsay, David. Vie de Georges Washington (The Life of Washington). In French. Paris: La Librairie Française, 1809, 471 pages, 5 x 8½". Bound in leather. Original bookplate identifies the owner as Henry C. McLean. Toning and light stains throughout. In good condition overall.

This comprehensive biography of this nation's first leader begins with a brief note on Washington's ancestors, and concludes with Ramsey's own editorial. He writes: "Youths of the United States! Learn from Washington what may be done by an industrious improvement of your talents, and the cultivation of your moral powers. Without any extraordinary advantages from birth, fortune, patronage, or even of education, he, by virtue and industry, attained the highest seat in the temple of fame."
Estimated Value $300-400.

Lot 772
The Rehearsal, 1706. London: by London and Westminster, 1706, no. 97, 1 page, 8 x 13½". Natural toning and light foxing. In good condition overall.

Published by the controversial printer Charles Leslie for only 6 years, this edition of The Rehearsal includes an academic article defending the honor of The Rehearsal in light of accusations brought about by rival journals.
Estimated Value $100-250.

Lot 773
Rush, Benjamin. An Eulogium Intended to Perpetuate the Memory of David Rittenhouse, Late President of the American Philosophical Society. Philadelphia: Ormrod & Conrad, for J. Ormrod, 46 pages. Unbound. Edges are folded and lightly torn in spots, upper edges have not been cut and remained hinged. In good condition overall.

Eulogizing fellow member of the American Philosophical Society, David Rittenhouse, Rush delivered these words at the First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia on Dec. 17, 1796: "We are assembled this day upon a mournful occasion. Death has made an inroad upon our Society. Our illustrious and beloved PRESIDENT, is no more. RITTENHOUSE, the ingenious, the modest, and the wise -- RITTENHOUSE, the friend of God and man, is now no more! -- For this, the temple of Science is hung in mourning, --for this, our eyes now drop a tributary tear. Nor do we weep alone.-- The United States of America sympathize in our grief, for his name gave a splendor to the American character..."

Rush (1746-1813) was a physician known as the "Father of American Psychiatry" as his greatest contributions to the medical field were instituting reforms in the care of the mentally ill. Rush was also a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Though he served as president of the American Philosophical Society for five years, Rittenhouse was an astronomer and inventor who had gained earlier notice for observing that Venus had an atmosphere.
Estimated Value $100-150.

Lot 774
The Salem Gazette. Nine editions of The Salem Gazette dating between February 14, 1782 and November 29, 1782. Each four page periodical features the news of the day, and includes articles on the events at the House of Commons, an account on the siege of Gibraltar, an eye witness account of a recent volcanic eruption at Vesuvius, the story of a local child who fell into a well and drowned, and a recent influenza outbreak in London and Westminster. Conditions range from fair to good.
Estimated Value $450-650.

Lot 775
The Soldier In Our Civil War: A Pictorial History of the Conflict 1861-1865. New York: J. H. Brown Publishing Company, 1885, volume II, 473 pages with index. Portions of the original edition have been laminated in place affecting the first eight pages. Otherwise the book is nicely aged, with some water stains and buckling. Fine.

With illustrations on nearly every page, this step-by-step accounting of the Civil War truly proves itself to be an important reference book on the tragic American schism -- complete with a daily accounting of events that lists the number of soldiers involved in each skirmish, battle, and engagement. Details are also included specifying the number wounded, killed, and missing.
Estimated Value $250-350.

Lot 776
Stein, Gertrude. Three Lives. New York: The Modern Library, Inc., 1933. 279 pages. Fabric bound. Signed ("Gertrude Stein"), and inscribed "For Sophia Stone" in black ink on the half title page. 4 ¼ x 6½". Name plate tipped into pastedown identifying Sophia Ann Stone as the original owner. Toning and wear to spine, light soiling to covers, toning to pages. Signature is clear and bold. In very good to fine condition overall.

This book, Stein's first published work, is a collection of short stories centering around the lives of three young ladies. Entitled "The Good Ana", "Melanctha", and "The Gentle Lena", the three stories were originally criticised for their abstract or "literary cubist" style, which did not prove to be popular. However, here the stories have been reprinted and even praised in the introduction for that very style which seems reflective of both Zola and Flaubert.

Gertrude Stein (1874-1946) was an American writer and expatriate who, along with her brother Leo, began collecting art in France around the turn of the century. To further support the arts, they opened their home to contemporary talents creating a salon that fostered avant-garde art and literature. Her fondness for Picasso is well known, and resulted in the artist's famous portrait of Stein.
Estimated Value $450-500.

Lot 777
Thanksgiving Proclamation. Gazette of the United States. Philadelphia: John Fenno, October 7, 1789, no. L1, 16½ x 10¼". Matted and framed to an overall size of 21½ x 25½". One horizontal and one vertical fold, a few light spots. In good condition overall.

Prior to 1789, Thanksgiving was largely a regional holiday celebrated in each state, on different dates. A national precedent was not set until 1789, when George Washington proclaimed that the Thanksgiving holiday would be celebrated November 26th. Subsequently, the date has been moved to the last Thursday of the month (by Lincoln), and then to the 3rd Thursday (by F.D.R.). Here we offer Washington's proclamation as it appeared in the Gazette of the United States.
Estimated Value $250-350.

Lot 778
[Titanic]. The Sinking of the Titanic and Great Sea Disasters. Published by L.T. Myers, 1912, 351 pages, 6 x 9". Hard bound, two pages are torn horizontally along lower margin but remain, front board has split from cover. In good condition overall.

Including the personal accounts of several passengers and crew members, this book documents the facts surrounding the tragic ending of the "unsinkable" Titanic. Photographs, sketches and charts have been added to illustrate the devastating reality of this famous disaster.
Estimated Value $200-250.

Lot 779
[Titanic]. Everett, Marshall (Editor). Sinking of the Titanic: The World's Greatest Sea Disaster. Published by L.H. Walter: 1912, 320 pages, 6 x 8". Hard bound. Pages have yellowed but the book remains in good condition.

Packed with 35 chapters of historical content, this Official Edition of the Titanic book differs only slightly from the two other versions offered in this section: the book is slightly smaller, the dedication has been changed, and the introductory text has been tightened. Also added is a list of the unfortunate passengers that did not survive the disaster.
Estimated Value $150-250.

Lot 780
[Titanic]. Marshall, Logan (Editor). The Sinking of the Titanic and Great Sea Disasters. Published by W.E. Scull, 1912, 96 pages, 6 x 9". Hard bound. A few small chips to spine. In good condition overall.

Here we offer the Salesman's prospectus, or "dummy", for the book The Sinking of the Titanic... An example of the book prior to its completion, the prospectus includes the complete table of contents, many full page photographs and the first two pages of each proposed chapter. A publisher's note to agents warns: "This prospectus is hastily prepared and is only intended to indicate what the complete book will be. All errors will be corrected and this book will be a permanent historical record of the greatest disaster in the history of sea travel."
Estimated Value $500-750.

Lot 781
Twain, Mark. Editorial Wild Oats. Harper & Brothers: New York, 1905, 84 pages, 5½ x 8¼". First Edition. Hard bound. A very good copy in a chipped and torn dust jacket.

As noted on the dust jacket, this book "contains several of Mark Twain's funniest sketches, all narrating various journalistic experiences of his youth."
Estimated Value $100-150.