Illustrated Magnificent Voyages from the William Reese Co.
Some magnificent voyages with an old-time American fish fry on the cover.
By Michael Stillman
The William Reese Company has issued its 16th "Art Bulletin," with the title Magnificent Voyages. It consists of 11 spectacular items, most being books which contain notable illustrations, though there are sets of watercolors offered. The works range from the 16th to the 19th century, and they describe some of the great explorations of what was then an unknown world to Europeans. Included are illustrated works from travelers on specific voyages to compilations of reports of many early travels. All are illustrated with views of the world that must have caused wonder and amazement when viewed by the folks back home. Here are the eleven items offered in this bulletin.
1. The Latin edition of Theodor De Bry and his heirs Great Voyages, 12 volumes (lacking the extremely rare 13th), published from 1590-1624. It contains illustrations of North American Indians from Florida and Virginia (see cover illustration). Priced at $450,000.
2. Samuel Purchas' Hakluytus Postumus or Purchas His Pilgrimes. The second great collection of English voyages expanded greatly on the work of Hakluyt, covering over 1,200 worldwide voyages, many to the New World. Five volumes published 1625-1626. $200,000.
3. Sketches of a Cruise Around the World in the U.S. Frigate Constitution in the Years 1844, 1845, & 1846, a manuscript titled collection of 34 watercolor or pencil sketches by John B. Dale of scenes in the Far East. $58,000.
4. A complete set of Cook's three voyages, the first and third in second editions, the second voyage in a first edition. The set includes the folio atlas. $85,000.
5. Graphic Scenes of the Japan Expedition, an 1856 publication of ten prints, nine from Wilhelm Heine, the official artist on Matthew Perry's "visit" that opened Japan to trade. $5,000.
6. A Voyage to the South Atlantic...for the Purpose of Extending the Spermaceti Whale Fisheries, by James Colnett. This 1798 book is the first important published account of the Pacific sperm whale fishery. $17,500.
7. An album of six watercolor illustrations of Kamchatka and Siberia circa 1808 based on plates taken from Cook and others. $60,000.
8. Set of four hand-colored aquatints of Cook's final voyage, including a depiction of Cook's death, from James Cleveley, the ship's carpenter. $30,000.
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Illustrated Magnificent Voyages from the William Reese Co.
An illustration of some of the terrible experiences of Gerrit de Veer.
9. Vraye Description de Trois Voyages de Mer Tres Admirables... a 1598 Amsterdam account of a difficult attempt to find a northeast passage, describing a terrible winter author Gerrit de Veer and his colleagues endured on Nova Zembla. $22,500.
10. The Zoology of the Voyage of H.M.S. Erebus & Terror, under the Command of Captain Sir John Clark Ross...During the Years 1839 to 1843... three volumes edited by John Richardson and John Edward Gray, published 1844-1875. The set includes 185 of the full complement of 209 plates. This is the natural history report of one of the first major Antarctic voyages. $12,500.
11. Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition. During the Years 1838...1842. This is Captain Charles Wilkes' account of the first great American sea exploration, which he headed. Wilkes sailed around the world, exploring areas from the Antarctic to the Pacific coast of America. This set is composed of copies of the rare, quarto pre-regular publication from 1845, consisting of three volumes from the 100-copy "Sherman" edition, and two from the 150-copy "Lea and Blanchard" issue. $32,500.
You may reach the William Reese Company at 203-789-8081 or amorder@reeseco.com. Their website is www.reeseco.com.
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