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Books at Auction in San Francisco - By Bruce McKinney A collectible book. By Bruce McKinney In February, as the ABAA comes into San Francisco for its once every two year antiquarian fair February 16-18, auction houses gear up to offer collectible material that appeals to this highly focused audience. This year Dorothy Sloan, Bonhams & Butterfields and PBA are hosting sales just before and after the fair. Their material provides an interesting counterpoint to the show where results are difficult to confirm. At auction, sales are public, the outcomes immediately known. Auctions and dealers have been on a parallel path for more than 25 years as auctions have increasingly moved into the retail side of the business. In prior decades traditional auctions functioned as the wholesale redistribution network. Today that role is increasingly taken by eBay. The first sale will be held on February 14th. Dorothy Sloan of Austin, Texas provides 137 lots of Texas and the Southwest material. Her venue, as in past years, is the Joseph & Mildred Rolph Moore Gallery at The Society of California Pioneers, 300 4th Street, San Francisco 94107. Bonhams and Butterfields offer 497 lots on Monday the 18th and PBA 129 lots on Thursday the 22nd. Bonhams & Butterfield is located at 220 San Bruno Avenue, San Francisco 94103. Pacific Book Galleries [PBA] conducts their sale of Rare Books & Manuscripts on February 22nd at 133 Kearny Street, San Francisco. The fair is a powerful magnet with potential sales of more than $6.0 million. The aggregate low estimate of the three auctions another $1,778,975. The Sloan material is available for inspection from Monday February 12th until the lots go under the hammer Wednesday at 10:00 am. Both Bonhams and Butterfields and PBA, whose sales are the following week, provide inspection the week of the fair and special arrangements over the weekend. Auction realizations tend to be lower than retail prices because the date of sale is fixed and the price decided by competitive bidding. Dealer material is more extensive and the prices fixed [but subject to discussion if not agreement]. For the dealer, the variable is in the timing, for auctions it's in the price. When auction houses offer material of interest it's an attractive way to acquire it. Both dealers and auction houses strive to offer unduplicated material so to avoid direct comparisons. The first auction is Dorothy Sloan's sale of 137 lots. Here are some representative items: 33. HUMBOLDT, Alexander von. Vues des cordillères....Paris, 1810-[1813]. 69 engravings & aquatints. Folio, later three-quarter morocco. Good, complete copy, fresh color. First edition of "the most beautiful and generally interesting of Humboldt's works" (Sabin 33754). Glass 627: "Pioneer work with first partial publications of various Mesoamerican pictorial manuscripts." Hill (1) I, pp. 148-149; Hill (2) 839. Lipperheide 1630. Palau 117026. Pilling 1871. ($10,000-20,000)
Books at Auction in San Francisco - By Bruce McKinney Important maps are highly collectible. 57. [MAP]. IMRAY, James. Chart of the Coast of California from San Blas to San Francisco Drawn chiefly from the Spanish Surveys, the Charts of Vancouver &c. the whole much improved by recent observations made by English and French Naval Officers.... London, 1849. Engraved large-scale blueback chart. Remarkably fine condition. This is a format that seldom survives due to intended use, and when found, condition is often a problem, showing evidence of having been used at sea. The desirability of bluebacks is enhanced by their great scarcity. We have no records of ever seeing this chart before. A visually striking and rare historical artifact from the California Gold Rush era. ($7,500-15,000) 83. [MEXICAN-AMERICAN WAR]. AMERICAN STAR, DAILY AMERICAN STAR & THE NORTH AMERICAN. 57 issues of three newspapers published in Mexico City in 1847 during the U. S. occupation of the capital at the end of the Mexican-American War. Text in English and Spanish. At the back of the volume are lithographs of Mexican scenes, types, and battles of the War. Charno, pp. 325-326, 386-387. Garrett & Goodwin, The Mexican-American War, p. 510. The Daily American Star (started out as the American Star), was published in both Jalapa and Puebla as the U. S. Army advanced towards Mexico City itself. The paper ran from September 20, 1847 to May 30, 1848. The North American ran from September 29, 1847 to March 31, 1848. Extensive runs of any of these newspapers are extremely rare. ($15,000-$20,000) 112. [SAN FRANCISCO]. HESS, Fredrick. San Francisco -- California. Frederick Hess Publisher.... N.p., 1874. Steel-engraved panoramic view surrounded by 22 vignettes of landmarks, original delicate hand coloring. Fine, beautiful, and exceptionally rare. Reps 322 (locating two copies, Library of Congress & Oakland Museum). Although Baird & Evans (Historic Lithographs of San Francisco) illustrate this view, it is not described in their catalogue because it is a steel engraving rather than a lithograph. The view shows San Francisco as a sophisticated metropolis and cultural center in the seventies, during its phase of prodigious urban development after the Gold Rush and before the 1906 earthquake. Each of the twenty-two precisely engraved vignettes offers historical documentation of San Francisco architecture. ($5,000-10,000) 122. VERGER, Fr. Rafael José. Manuscript report in ink, signed at end, written to Mexican Viceroy Bucareli y Ursúa, dated at Colegio de San Fernando de Mexico, December 25, 1772. 16 pp. Verger's report on progress of the California missions (unpublished), incorporating Father Juan Crespí's diary detailing his second exploration of the San Francisco Bay area. The two reports in this document are crucial, important descriptions of the San Francisco Bay area at the time of Spanish settlement. ($6,000-12,000)
Books at Auction in San Francisco - By Bruce McKinney One example of an interesting & eclectic sale. 135. [NEW ORLEANS IMPRINT]. Postillon del Mensagero Luisianés. Nueva Orleans, Lunes 22 de Julio 1811. [New Orleans: Joaquín de Lisa and José Antonio Boniquet, 1811]. Folio broadside in three columns, 41.5 x 31.3 cm. First edition of an exceedingly rare New Orleans imprint with important content relating to dispatch of U.S. troops to quell uprising in West Florida and the Kemper brother filibusters (who would soon move their operations to Texas). Not in American Imprints, Jumonville, MacCurdy, Medina (Notas bibliográficas referente a las primeras producciones de la imprenta en algunas ciudades de la América Española...1764-1822), etc. This issue is believed to be unique. ($2,500-5,000) 137. MARGIL DE JESÚS, Antonio. Manuscript dictum written in Latin, signed by Margil as Guardian of the College of Guadalupe of Zacatecas, May 4, 1724. 1 page, folio, in Latin. Documents signed by Margil are rare. Father Margil informs the friars that, under the papal bull of foundation of the College of Santa Cruz of Querétaro of Innocent XI in 1682, the friars doing missionary work do not need licenses from the local prelate to preach or administer the sacraments. Margil is known as the "Apostle of Texas" and the "Giant Northern Pilgrim." His efforts in Texas resulted in the first permanent civil settlement in Texas. He found Mission in East Texas, and his greatest success was the founding of Mission San José in San Antonio de Béxar in 1720 (Handbook of Texas Online: Margil de Jesús, Antonio). ($10,000-20,000) The Bonhams and Butterfield sale is the broadest of the three. There are 497 lots with an average low estimate of $1,616.16. The material is eclectic, serious in the Southern California way. That is, in this sale, Thomas Jefferson and Dr. Seuss rub shoulders if not noses. I asked Catherine Williamson, Director of Books & Manuscripts for an overview and she said, "For the second year we are timing our auction to coincide with the California ABAA Book Fair. Last year was very successful both for buyers and sellers and we hope to make this an annual event." In response to feedback they are offering extended previewing: Thursday, Friday and Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Here are some examples of what's offered. The sale is Sunday the 18th and begins at 10:00 am. Lot No: 35 ROBERTS, DAVID. 1796-1864. The Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt, & Nubia. London: Day & Son, 1855-1856. 6 volumes bound in 3. Illustrated with 248 tinted lithographed plates, mostly duotone, some in three tints (including 6 pictorial title-pages & portrait of Roberts); 2 engraved maps. 4to (292 x 196mm). Period full armorial morocco gilt, all edges gilt. Light foxing to plates but images mostly clean, bookplates of G. Redmayne. First quarto edition. Abbey Travel, 272, 385, and 388. Estimate: $3,000 - 5,000
Books at Auction in San Francisco - By Bruce McKinney A story that everyone knows. Lot No: 52 BLAKE, TOM. 1902-1994. Hawaiian Surfboard. Honolulu: Paradise of the Pacific Press, 1935. Illustrated. 8vo. Original tapa-cloth. Ownership inscription to front pastedown, final several leaves and endpapers with brief dampstain in lower margin, else excellent. First edition of the first title devoted to surfing. Blake was an early 20th century surfing and health food pioneer who conceived and developed the hollow surf board. Estimate: $2,000 - 3,000 Lot No: 116 ADAMS, ANSEL EASTON. Parmelian Prints of the High Sierras. San Francisco: Jean Chambers Moore, 1927. Letterpress title, dedication, and contents leaves + 18 gelatin silver print photographs, each signed by Adams ("AE Adams"), letterpress captions, measuring approximately 205 x 155 mm on 302 x 254 mm sheets, in individual letterpress folders. Text printed by the Grabhorn Press. Loose as issued in original silk-lined cloth portfolio. Minor marginal paper crease to "Mount Galen Clark," one folder browned, overall very fine and fresh. Limited edition, one of approximately 75 copies from a projected edition of 150. Estimate: $30,000 - 50,000 Lot No: 194 BOSWELL, JAMES. 1740-1795. The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D.... London: Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly, 1791. 2 volumes. xii, [16], 516; [2], 588 pp. Engraved frontispiece portrait of Johnson after Sir Joshua Reynolds, and 2 engraved plates. 4to (264 x 200 mm). Period full tree calf, rebacked, covers paneled with gilt floral and foliate roll enclosing blind foliate roll, spines with brown and red gilt lettered labels, custom cloth slipcase. Internally clean, bookplate to front pastedown of each volume, covers with some light shelfwear, corners expertly reinforced, a few stray marks to spine, but an excellent set. First edition, with "give" reading on p 135 of vol. I. Estimate: $2,000 - 3,000 Lot No: 303 STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. Cup of Gold: a Life of Henry Morgan, Buccaneer. With Occasional Reference to History. New York: Robert M. McBride & Co., 1929. Yellow cloth printed in black, top edge stained blue, front edges untrimmed, dust jacket. Endleaves spotted with faint offset from tape on former jacket cover, jacket creased with small chips to head and foot of spine, 3 mm diagonal chip to lower right front panel. First edition, first issue of Steinbeck's first book, presentation copy, inscribed on front pastedown: "For my sister Beth whom I love very much John Steinbeck." Estimate: $20,000 - 30,000 Lot No: 287 MORRISON, TONI. The Bluest Eye. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, [1970]. 8vo. Quarter cloth and boards; dust jacket. Previous owner's name and some erasures to front endpapers, very slight lean and mild sunning to boards, jacket with some toning, mild edge wear including a 1/4" tear to lower panel, tiny losses at corners and some fraying at spine panel ends. First edition of the author's first book, signed by Morrison on the title-page with a calligraphic pen. Estimate: $1,500 - 2,500
Books at Auction in San Francisco - By Bruce McKinney A story that everyone knows. Lot No: 421 JEFFERSON, THOMAS. 1743-1826. FIRST SILK BROADSIDE OF JEFFERSON'S SECOND INAUGURAL SPEECH President Jefferson's Inaugural speech. : On the 4th inst. at 12 o'clock, Mr. Jefferson appeared in the Chamber of the United States' Senate, where his re-election was declared, and the necessary oath administered to him. On this occasion he delivered the following speech. [Boston: The Democrat, 1805.] Broadside printed in two columns on silk. 345 x 535 mm. Light spotting on left margin, a few small holes at upper left corner, generally age toned, else an exceptionally well preserved example. Estimate: $8,000 - 12,000 Finally, there is PBA Galleries' [Pacific Book Auction] sale on Thursday the 22nd. According to Bruce MacMakin, head of cataloguing, "it's an eclectic sale of premium material that's intended to offer something for every type of book collector." Material is available for viewing from Wednesday the 14th until the hammer falls on the 22nd at 1:00 pm. Here are some representative items: No. 65. Johnson, Samuel. A Dictionary of the English Language: In Which the Words are deduced from their Originals, and Illustrated in their Different Significations by Examples from the best Writers. To Which Are Prefixed, a History of the Language, and an English Grammar. London: 1755. Printed by W. Strahan, for J. & P. Knapton, et al. Estimated $15,000 to $25,000. No. 86. Melville, Herman. Moby Dick; or, the Whale. New York: 1851. Harper & Brothers. Estimated $15,000 to $20,000. No. 33. Dickens, Charles. A Christmas Carol. In Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas. London: 1843. Chapman & Hall. Estimated $10,000 to $15,000. No. 101. Poe, Edgar. The Raven. New York: [1870?] W. Jennings Demorest. Estimated $4,000 t0 $7,000. No. 92. Newton, Isaac. A Letter of Mr. Isaac Newton, Mathematick Professor in the University of Cambridge; containing his New Theory about Light and Colors... [London]: Feb. 19, 1671. [For John Martin]. Estimated $15,000 to $20,000. No. 7. Aristotle. De Categoriae [and] De Interpretatione. [Northern France, probably Paris]: [c.1250] bound with] Boethius. Liber de Divisione and De Differentiis Topicis. [bound with] Liber sex principiorum. 81 leaves. Latin manuscript on vellum, rubricated throughout, together with one- to four-line initials in red and blue; six marginal diagrammatic tables. 175x115 mm. (7x4 1/2), modern wooden boards with old brass clasps. Estimated $80,000 to $120,000. No. 113. Sowerby, James, & James Edward Smith. English Botany; or, Coloured Figures of British Plants, with their Essential Characters, Synonyms, and Places of Growth. To which will be added, Occasional Remarks. 40 volumes in 30 including the 4 supplements. London: 1790-1849. Estimated $20,000 to $30,000. The auctions expect to benefit from the thousands who will attend the Book Fair. And they in turn contribute their audiences to the book fair throngs. Both show participants, visitors, auctions houses and their communities should do well by this unusual opportunity that occurs when their paths cross.

Books at Auction in San Francisco

- By Bruce McKinney

A collectible book.

By Bruce McKinney

In February, as the ABAA comes into San Francisco for its once every two year antiquarian fair February 16-18, auction houses gear up to offer collectible material that appeals to this highly focused audience. This year Dorothy Sloan, Bonhams & Butterfields and PBA are hosting sales just before and after the fair. Their material provides an interesting counterpoint to the show where results are difficult to confirm. At auction, sales are public, the outcomes immediately known. Auctions and dealers have been on a parallel path for more than 25 years as auctions have increasingly moved into the retail side of the business. In prior decades traditional auctions functioned as the wholesale redistribution network. Today that role is increasingly taken by eBay.

The first sale will be held on February 14th. Dorothy Sloan of Austin, Texas provides 137 lots of Texas and the Southwest material. Her venue, as in past years, is the Joseph & Mildred Rolph Moore Gallery at The Society of California Pioneers, 300 4th Street, San Francisco 94107. Bonhams and Butterfields offer 497 lots on Monday the 18th and PBA 129 lots on Thursday the 22nd. Bonhams & Butterfield is located at 220 San Bruno Avenue, San Francisco 94103. Pacific Book Galleries [PBA] conducts their sale of Rare Books & Manuscripts on February 22nd at 133 Kearny Street, San Francisco. The fair is a powerful magnet with potential sales of more than $6.0 million. The aggregate low estimate of the three auctions another $1,778,975. The Sloan material is available for inspection from Monday February 12th until the lots go under the hammer Wednesday at 10:00 am. Both Bonhams and Butterfields and PBA, whose sales are the following week, provide inspection the week of the fair and special arrangements over the weekend.

Auction realizations tend to be lower than retail prices because the date of sale is fixed and the price decided by competitive bidding. Dealer material is more extensive and the prices fixed [but subject to discussion if not agreement]. For the dealer, the variable is in the timing, for auctions it's in the price. When auction houses offer material of interest it's an attractive way to acquire it. Both dealers and auction houses strive to offer unduplicated material so to avoid direct comparisons.

The first auction is Dorothy Sloan's sale of 137 lots. Here are some representative items:

33. HUMBOLDT, Alexander von. Vues des cordillères....Paris, 1810-[1813]. 69 engravings & aquatints. Folio, later three-quarter morocco. Good, complete copy, fresh color. First edition of "the most beautiful and generally interesting of Humboldt's works" (Sabin 33754). Glass 627: "Pioneer work with first partial publications of various Mesoamerican pictorial manuscripts." Hill (1) I, pp. 148-149; Hill (2) 839. Lipperheide 1630. Palau 117026. Pilling 1871. ($10,000-20,000)

Books at Auction in San Francisco

- By Bruce McKinney

Important maps are highly collectible.

57. [MAP]. IMRAY, James. Chart of the Coast of California from San Blas to San Francisco Drawn chiefly from the Spanish Surveys, the Charts of Vancouver &c. the whole much improved by recent observations made by English and French Naval Officers.... London, 1849. Engraved large-scale blueback chart. Remarkably fine condition. This is a format that seldom survives due to intended use, and when found, condition is often a problem, showing evidence of having been used at sea. The desirability of bluebacks is enhanced by their great scarcity. We have no records of ever seeing this chart before. A visually striking and rare historical artifact from the California Gold Rush era. ($7,500-15,000)

83. [MEXICAN-AMERICAN WAR]. AMERICAN STAR, DAILY AMERICAN STAR & THE NORTH AMERICAN. 57 issues of three newspapers published in Mexico City in 1847 during the U. S. occupation of the capital at the end of the Mexican-American War. Text in English and Spanish. At the back of the volume are lithographs of Mexican scenes, types, and battles of the War. Charno, pp. 325-326, 386-387. Garrett & Goodwin, The Mexican-American War, p. 510. The Daily American Star (started out as the American Star), was published in both Jalapa and Puebla as the U. S. Army advanced towards Mexico City itself. The paper ran from September 20, 1847 to May 30, 1848. The North American ran from September 29, 1847 to March 31, 1848. Extensive runs of any of these newspapers are extremely rare. ($15,000-$20,000)

112. [SAN FRANCISCO]. HESS, Fredrick. San Francisco -- California. Frederick Hess Publisher.... N.p., 1874. Steel-engraved panoramic view surrounded by 22 vignettes of landmarks, original delicate hand coloring. Fine, beautiful, and exceptionally rare. Reps 322 (locating two copies, Library of Congress & Oakland Museum). Although Baird & Evans (Historic Lithographs of San Francisco) illustrate this view, it is not described in their catalogue because it is a steel engraving rather than a lithograph. The view shows San Francisco as a sophisticated metropolis and cultural center in the seventies, during its phase of prodigious urban development after the Gold Rush and before the 1906 earthquake. Each of the twenty-two precisely engraved vignettes offers historical documentation of San Francisco architecture. ($5,000-10,000)

122. VERGER, Fr. Rafael José. Manuscript report in ink, signed at end, written to Mexican Viceroy Bucareli y Ursúa, dated at Colegio de San Fernando de Mexico, December 25, 1772. 16 pp. Verger's report on progress of the California missions (unpublished), incorporating Father Juan Crespí's diary detailing his second exploration of the San Francisco Bay area. The two reports in this document are crucial, important descriptions of the San Francisco Bay area at the time of Spanish settlement. ($6,000-12,000)

Books at Auction in San Francisco

- By Bruce McKinney

One example of an interesting & eclectic sale.

135. [NEW ORLEANS IMPRINT]. Postillon del Mensagero Luisianés. Nueva Orleans, Lunes 22 de Julio 1811. [New Orleans: Joaquín de Lisa and José Antonio Boniquet, 1811]. Folio broadside in three columns, 41.5 x 31.3 cm. First edition of an exceedingly rare New Orleans imprint with important content relating to dispatch of U.S. troops to quell uprising in West Florida and the Kemper brother filibusters (who would soon move their operations to Texas). Not in American Imprints, Jumonville, MacCurdy, Medina (Notas bibliográficas referente a las primeras producciones de la imprenta en algunas ciudades de la América Española...1764-1822), etc. This issue is believed to be unique. ($2,500-5,000)

137. MARGIL DE JESÚS, Antonio. Manuscript dictum written in Latin, signed by Margil as Guardian of the College of Guadalupe of Zacatecas, May 4, 1724. 1 page, folio, in Latin. Documents signed by Margil are rare. Father Margil informs the friars that, under the papal bull of foundation of the College of Santa Cruz of Querétaro of Innocent XI in 1682, the friars doing missionary work do not need licenses from the local prelate to preach or administer the sacraments. Margil is known as the "Apostle of Texas" and the "Giant Northern Pilgrim." His efforts in Texas resulted in the first permanent civil settlement in Texas. He found Mission in East Texas, and his greatest success was the founding of Mission San José in San Antonio de Béxar in 1720 (Handbook of Texas Online: Margil de Jesús, Antonio). ($10,000-20,000)

The Bonhams and Butterfield sale is the broadest of the three. There are 497 lots with an average low estimate of $1,616.16. The material is eclectic, serious in the Southern California way. That is, in this sale, Thomas Jefferson and Dr. Seuss rub shoulders if not noses. I asked Catherine Williamson, Director of Books & Manuscripts for an overview and she said, "For the second year we are timing our auction to coincide with the California ABAA Book Fair. Last year was very successful both for buyers and sellers and we hope to make this an annual event." In response to feedback they are offering extended previewing: Thursday, Friday and Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Here are some examples of what's offered. The sale is Sunday the 18th and begins at 10:00 am.

Lot No: 35 ROBERTS, DAVID. 1796-1864. The Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt, & Nubia. London: Day & Son, 1855-1856. 6 volumes bound in 3. Illustrated with 248 tinted lithographed plates, mostly duotone, some in three tints (including 6 pictorial title-pages & portrait of Roberts); 2 engraved maps. 4to (292 x 196mm). Period full armorial morocco gilt, all edges gilt. Light foxing to plates but images mostly clean, bookplates of G. Redmayne. First quarto edition. Abbey Travel, 272, 385, and 388. Estimate: $3,000 - 5,000

Books at Auction in San Francisco

- By Bruce McKinney

A story that everyone knows.

Lot No: 52 BLAKE, TOM. 1902-1994. Hawaiian Surfboard. Honolulu: Paradise of the Pacific Press, 1935. Illustrated. 8vo. Original tapa-cloth. Ownership inscription to front pastedown, final several leaves and endpapers with brief dampstain in lower margin, else excellent. First edition of the first title devoted to surfing. Blake was an early 20th century surfing and health food pioneer who conceived and developed the hollow surf board. Estimate: $2,000 - 3,000

Lot No: 116 ADAMS, ANSEL EASTON. Parmelian Prints of the High Sierras. San Francisco: Jean Chambers Moore, 1927. Letterpress title, dedication, and contents leaves + 18 gelatin silver print photographs, each signed by Adams ("AE Adams"), letterpress captions, measuring approximately 205 x 155 mm on 302 x 254 mm sheets, in individual letterpress folders. Text printed by the Grabhorn Press. Loose as issued in original silk-lined cloth portfolio. Minor marginal paper crease to "Mount Galen Clark," one folder browned, overall very fine and fresh. Limited edition, one of approximately 75 copies from a projected edition of 150. Estimate: $30,000 - 50,000

Lot No: 194 BOSWELL, JAMES. 1740-1795. The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D.... London: Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly, 1791. 2 volumes. xii, [16], 516; [2], 588 pp. Engraved frontispiece portrait of Johnson after Sir Joshua Reynolds, and 2 engraved plates. 4to (264 x 200 mm). Period full tree calf, rebacked, covers paneled with gilt floral and foliate roll enclosing blind foliate roll, spines with brown and red gilt lettered labels, custom cloth slipcase. Internally clean, bookplate to front pastedown of each volume, covers with some light shelfwear, corners expertly reinforced, a few stray marks to spine, but an excellent set. First edition, with "give" reading on p 135 of vol. I. Estimate: $2,000 - 3,000

Lot No: 303 STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. Cup of Gold: a Life of Henry Morgan, Buccaneer. With Occasional Reference to History. New York: Robert M. McBride & Co., 1929. Yellow cloth printed in black, top edge stained blue, front edges untrimmed, dust jacket. Endleaves spotted with faint offset from tape on former jacket cover, jacket creased with small chips to head and foot of spine, 3 mm diagonal chip to lower right front panel. First edition, first issue of Steinbeck's first book, presentation copy, inscribed on front pastedown: "For my sister Beth whom I love very much John Steinbeck." Estimate: $20,000 - 30,000

Lot No: 287 MORRISON, TONI. The Bluest Eye. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, [1970]. 8vo. Quarter cloth and boards; dust jacket. Previous owner's name and some erasures to front endpapers, very slight lean and mild sunning to boards, jacket with some toning, mild edge wear including a 1/4" tear to lower panel, tiny losses at corners and some fraying at spine panel ends.

First edition of the author's first book, signed by Morrison on the title-page with a calligraphic pen. Estimate: $1,500 - 2,500

Books at Auction in San Francisco

- By Bruce McKinney

A story that everyone knows.

Lot No: 421 JEFFERSON, THOMAS. 1743-1826. FIRST SILK BROADSIDE OF JEFFERSON'S SECOND INAUGURAL SPEECH President Jefferson's Inaugural speech. : On the 4th inst. at 12 o'clock, Mr. Jefferson appeared in the Chamber of the United States' Senate, where his re-election was declared, and the necessary oath administered to him. On this occasion he delivered the following speech. [Boston: The Democrat, 1805.] Broadside printed in two columns on silk. 345 x 535 mm. Light spotting on left margin, a few small holes at upper left corner, generally age toned, else an exceptionally well preserved example. Estimate: $8,000 - 12,000

Finally, there is PBA Galleries' [Pacific Book Auction] sale on Thursday the 22nd. According to Bruce MacMakin, head of cataloguing, "it's an eclectic sale of premium material that's intended to offer something for every type of book collector." Material is available for viewing from Wednesday the 14th until the hammer falls on the 22nd at 1:00 pm. Here are some representative items:

No. 65. Johnson, Samuel. A Dictionary of the English Language: In Which the Words are deduced from their Originals, and Illustrated in their Different Significations by Examples from the best Writers. To Which Are Prefixed, a History of the Language, and an English Grammar. London: 1755. Printed by W. Strahan, for J. & P. Knapton, et al. Estimated $15,000 to $25,000.

No. 86. Melville, Herman. Moby Dick; or, the Whale. New York: 1851. Harper & Brothers. Estimated $15,000 to $20,000.

No. 33. Dickens, Charles. A Christmas Carol. In Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas. London: 1843. Chapman & Hall. Estimated $10,000 to $15,000.

No. 101. Poe, Edgar. The Raven. New York: [1870?] W. Jennings Demorest. Estimated $4,000 t0 $7,000.

No. 92. Newton, Isaac. A Letter of Mr. Isaac Newton, Mathematick Professor in the University of Cambridge; containing his New Theory about Light and Colors... [London]: Feb. 19, 1671. [For John Martin]. Estimated $15,000 to $20,000.

No. 7. Aristotle. De Categoriae [and] De Interpretatione. [Northern France, probably Paris]: [c.1250] bound with] Boethius. Liber de Divisione and De Differentiis Topicis. [bound with] Liber sex principiorum. 81 leaves. Latin manuscript on vellum, rubricated throughout, together with one- to four-line initials in red and blue; six marginal diagrammatic tables. 175x115 mm. (7x4 1/2), modern wooden boards with old brass clasps. Estimated $80,000 to $120,000.

No. 113. Sowerby, James, & James Edward Smith. English Botany; or, Coloured Figures of British Plants, with their Essential Characters, Synonyms, and Places of Growth. To which will be added, Occasional Remarks. 40 volumes in 30 including the 4 supplements. London: 1790-1849. Estimated $20,000 to $30,000.

The auctions expect to benefit from the thousands who will attend the Book Fair. And they in turn contribute their audiences to the book fair throngs. Both show participants, visitors, auctions houses and their communities should do well by this unusual opportunity that occurs when their paths cross.