Mar 31, 2001, The B. H. Manuscript/Collectible/Philatelic Sale, Sale 9
Lot 794
Dickens, Charles
(1844-1870). British novelist. When Dickens was just twelve years old,
his father, who had a habit of living beyond his means, was put into
debtors prison, propelling the young Dickens into childhood poverty. His
experiences in this period of his life contributed to his views on social
reform garnering his great compassion for the lower class and inspiring
several of his later works. Classic works include Great
Expectations, David Copperfield, A Tale of Two Cities,
and the traditional holiday favorite, A Christmas Carol.
Carte de Visite. Sepia toned, 2½ x 4", n.p., n.d. (circa
1860). Some surface abrasion, one chip with projecting scratch, minor
foxing, two pin holes at border of image. Overall condition good to very
good.
This bust portrait presents Dickens in a thoughtful pose. A
very nice piece.
Estimated Value $100-150.
Lot 795
Dickens, Charles.
Quarter size cabinet card of novelist Charles Dickens, circa 1867.
Mounted on a card backstamped by J. Gurney & Son, this sepia toned
photograph measures 2 x 3½" and pictures a profile of Dickens. With
one surface indentation at the upper right, and a spot of nearly
indetectable staining. In good to very good condition overall.
Estimated Value $100-125.
Lot 796
Longfellow, Henry
Wadsworth (1807-1882). American poet and college professor. Longfellow
was a writer of verse with an easy rhyme style. Focusing on obvious themes,
such as joyousness, he made a great contribution to American culture during
the "flowering of New England". Works include "The Song of Hiawatha",
"Tales of a Wayside Inn", as well as translations of several classics such
as The Divine Comedy of Dante Alighieri.
Circa 1860s. Carte
de Visite picturing a full length portrait of Longfellow holding a cane
with his dog sitting at his side. Verso is marked "Warren Cambridgeport,
Mass". With a few scattered abrasions. Overall, in good condition.
Estimated Value $100-150.
Lot 797
Maximilian.
Ferdinand Maximilian Joseph (1832-1867). Archduke of Austria and
"puppet" emperor of Mexico.
Carte de Visite of Maximilian circa
1864 wearing ceremonial uniform with a wiry beard. Measuring 2-1/2 x 4". A
few light stains. In very good condition overall.
Estimated Value
$150-200.
Lot 798
Mott, Lucretia and
James. 19th Century Reformers. Mrs. Mott was the founder and president
of the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society, and participated in Seneca
Falls Convention with Elizabeth Cady Stanton calling for women's rights.
Pair of Civil War period carte de visite portraits of Mrs. James
and Lucretia Mott. Sepia toned with hand tinting. Both portraits portray
the reformers comfortably seated. Both measure 4 x 3", and are presented in
a folding picture frame of card stock. Mr. Mott's photo has light surface
scratches at the upper left. Mrs. Mott's photo has a spot of foxing.
Otherwise, in good to very good condition.
Estimated Value $200-250.
Lot 799
Thumb, Tom
(1838-1883). American entertainer, born a dwarf and made famous by P.T.
Barnum.
Carte de Visite picturing the wedding party of General Tom
Thumb and his wife Lavinia Warren. Dubbed the "Fairy Wedding Group", this
bridal party was completed with best man Commodore George Nutt, and maid of
honor Minnie Bump -- Lavinia's dwarf sister. The couple was married in New
York City on February 10, 1863. Verso identifies the photographer as
William Brady and features printed signatures of the four pictured. Light
toning and an abrasion at the upper left. Otherwise, in very good
condition.
Estimated Value $200-250.
Lot 800
Early 20th Century
Butcher Shops. A remarkable group of twelve black and white and sepia
toned photos of butcher shop interiors collected over 30 years by a retired
butcher (talk about bringing your work home with you!).The assemblage of
20th century photos, includes images of both Washington and Oregon branches
of Murphy Brothers Grocers, Piggly Wiggly and Brooklyn Meat Market. Also
featured are views of shops in Roundup and Columbus, Montana and a great
shot from the Anderson Brothers in Laurel, Montana. Most photographs
measure 5 x 7", and are mounted on cardboard. One photo has been
hand-colored. Sharp, clear images with some silvering and foxing. Generally
in very good to fine condition.
Interesting Americana, these images
would be great in a meat market, restaurant or in the hands of a
carnivorous collector.
Estimated Value $500-750.
Lot 801
Miniature Tin-Types.
Some 95 miniature tin-types in a small leather album, measuring
3½ x 4¼". A mix of images capturing round-cheeked children,
women in their Sunday best and men gazing sternly into the distance has
been compiled into this album. Most of the pictures are clear and sharp and
in very good condition, but the album itself is in poor condition.
Estimated Value $250-350.
Lot 802
Pair of 1860s Carte de
Visite Albums. Pair of Carte de Visite Albums, circa 1860-1870. Each
album features 20 images, primarily picturing costumed, period actors and
actresses of the Civil War period. Of note, is a portrait of John Wilkes
Booth, Shakespearean actor and assassin of Abraham Lincoln. Also
included is one hand tinted image. Albums measure 4-1/4 x 5-1/2, and 5 x
6". Individual pages may be a bit stained, but photos are fine. Both album
covers are in very good condition, with original hinges.
Estimated
Value $500-750.
Lot 803
Spanish American War
Cabinet Photo & Ephemera. Sepia toned Cabinet Card with hand tinting,
featuring an image of a United States soldier in full dress uniform. Card
measures 4-1/4 x 6-1/2". Accompanied by a Guard Manual for non-commissioned
officers and privates, dated 1898, belonging to one Henry Clay Fox, Jr., as
well as the Infantry Drill Regulations for the United States Army, dated
1904. The guard manual is obviously used, the others are aged. Overall, the
lot is in very good condition.
Estimated Value $125-150.
Lot 804
Stereo Views - Various
Early Publishers. Thirty-six different stereo views from a variety of
publishers. Includes various worldwide locations including Vatican, Milan
Cathedral, Yosemite Falls, early view of Randolph Street (Chicago), Royal
Order of St. George Parade (Chicago), Swinging Festival (Calcutta)
Cheapside London, The Blue Grotto (Capri Italy) as well as mining and an
interesting Miss Hickok (The Champion Equestrienne of the World) on a
raised stallion and others. Most in fine condition.
A wonderful
variety of images -- some humorous, some picturesque.
Estimated Value
$250-350.
Lot 805
Stereo Views of French
Women in Lingerie. A rare and attractive group of five hold-to-light
color stereo views featuring various French women in lingerie. Minor foxing
and some fading of these slightly racy ladies who are in good to very good
condition.
Estimated Value $150-200.
Lot 806
Stereoscopic Views.
Lot of 18 stereoscopic views. Mix of black and white and sepia toned
images, 7 x 3½, United States. From a variety of manufacturers and
states, with several different borders, several with informative copy on
the reverse. Many pieces have a slight curve, there is some fading and
foxing. Overall, fair to very good condition.
Cowboys, miners,
hunters and cavalrymen are all represented in this collection of images,
which also features five outstanding views of pre-earthquake San Francisco.
Stereoscopes brought the wide world into Victorian parlors, opening doors
into unknown realms -- for us, they offer a fleeting glimpse of bygone
days.
Estimated Value $150-200.
Lot 807
Vintage 1860s Carte de
Visite Album. Carte de Visite Album, circa 1860. Measuring 5-1/4 x 6",
the book features 29 sepia-toned images, including such Philadelphia
landmarks as the State House (Independence Hall), the "Old Walnut Street
Theater", the Union League building, and the Philadelphia Academy of Music.
Of special note, is one image closely resembling President Abraham
Lincoln standing inside a Philadelphia Church; as well as another image
of nearly 100 people standing before a Quaker meeting house. The book is in
very good condition for its age, clasps are intact, a few pages stained.
Estimated Value $500-UP.
Lot 808
Vintage Photographs --
Scenes of California. A beautiful collection of 25 views of Northern
and Southern California, presenting each image in both original sepia and
hand-colored versions, are offered in this attractive album. Subjects
include views of historic missions, four vistas from Yosemite, and two
scenes from the Monterey area. Inside label indicates the album was
presented as a gift in 1940. Although the protective sheets between leaves
have yellowed, a few photographs show some silvering and there is minor
buckling of a few album pages, condition is very good.
This
collection may have been from a commercial photographer's sample book, as
indicated by inventory numbers on labels at the bottom of each page. Soft
hues, painstakingly applied, enhance the beauty of the California scenery
and historic missions show graceful aging in the striking photographs
featured in this album. Whatever its original purpose, this album is a
wonderful piece of Californiana and a great representation of the
photographer's art in the middle of the 20th century.
Estimated Value
$400-500.
Lot 809
Vintage Photographs of
Canton, China. Fifteen photographs, circa 1890. Measuring 10½ x
8¼", the lot includes a variety of scenic views throughout China,
including images of sacred temples, courtyards, and hillside landscapes.
Also included are two photos portraying a mass beheading at the treaty port
of Kowloon. The gruesome images show victims kneeling prior to the
execution, as well as a shocking post mortem scene. A few images are
lightly stained, with a few of the backings lightly folded or chipped.
Overall, the group is in good condition.
Estimated Value $400-500.