AE Monthly

<b>Bonhams:</b> MANDELSHTAM, OSIP. 1891-1938. Autograph Manuscript, 2 pp, [Petersburg,] January 1913, entitled

Article Archives Search

AE Reviews


First Editions, History, Science and More from The Manhattan Rare Book Company An untitled catalogue from the Manhattan Rare Book Company. By Michael Stillman The Manhattan Rare Book Company has issued a remarkable catalogue to open the new year. I have searched in vain for a title for this catalogue or even a number. I find none other than the motto: "building fine collections one book at a time." So we will skip the title and move to a description of the contents. What you will find is primarily works of literary or artistic merit, with a few items of politics and history, science, along with some children's books. The greatest concentration is in literary first editions from the best-known authors, but as noted, that is not all. Here are some samples of the 85 items in this extensively illustrated catalogue of important works. Is there a more popular American poem than Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven? Perhaps, but it doesn't immediately come to mind. Item 37 is a copy of the first appearance of this classic, as it appeared in The American Review in 1845. Poe published under the pseudonym "Quarles," though there was no need to hide behind anonymity with works like this. Manhattan notes that it immediately became one of the most recited poems in the country, though it did little to lift Poe's ever-present financial burden. Offered is a bound volume of the issues of January-June 1845 of The American Review, which contains this poem. Priced at $3,800. Item 6 is a notable work with a most intriguing inscription. The book is In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. The inscription states, "To my dearest Marion; hope you enjoy this my dear -- it was written with you in mind." Written with you in mind? In Cold Blood is the story of two criminals who senselessly murder a Kansas farmer, his wife and two children. Just what did Capote have in mind for poor "Marion?" $2,200. We will continue this Truman Show with Mr. President, William Hillman's record of Harry Truman's presidency. It is inscribed by Mr. President himself to James E. Noland, a congressman from Indiana. Item 63. $1,800. Galileo was pilloried and almost executed for blasphemy for claiming the Earth was not the center of the universe, but today he is about as controversial as Barney the Dinosaur. Charles Darwin was not so lucky. Some heresies are better able to stand the test of time. Item 16 is Darwin's The Descent of Man, a first edition, first issue from 1871. Darwin had first enunciated his theory of natural selection in the "Origin of the Species," but it was not until this book that he applied his theories in detail to humans. It was also in this work that he first used the "E" word to describe his theory -- evolution. $12,500.
First Editions, History, Science and More from The Manhattan Rare Book Company Charles Darwin - still controversial after all these years. It was August 20, 1940, when Winston Churchill strode before the House of Commons to give this speech. The Blitz of London was underway, virtually all of Europe had fallen to the Nazis, and Britain stood alone. To anyone else it may have looked hopeless, but Churchill would rally his people, presenting an honest assessment, unshakable determination, and absolute confidence that right would win out, no matter how long it might take. His words are inspirational still today. "[W]hen we are doing the finest thing in the world, and have the honour to be the sole champion of the liberties of all Europe, we must not grudge these years or weary as we toil and struggle through them." Churchill was right. Time was on his side. Item 68 is A Speech by the Prime Minister...August 20, 1940. $1,600. Manhattan describes The Grapes of Wrath as "Steinbeck's masterpiece." There will be no quarrel here. It is the quintessential story of the Great Depression, a time of great misery, only to be followed by the agony Churchill spoke of. Item 62 is a first edition, first issue of the masterpiece. $6,500. Most people think Bambi is as American as Walt Disney, but the young buck was actually born in the forests of Austria. His creator was Felix Salten, and item 48 is a first edition in English of Bambi. A Life in the Woods. Salten was a prolific writer, but nothing else ever quite reached the same level of mass appeal as his story of the orphaned deer. Five years after this edition was published, Salten sold the film rights, which made their way to Disney and his movie in 1942. $1,600. The Manhattan Rare Book Company is found online at www.manhattanrarebooks.com, telephone 212-326-8907.

First Editions, History, Science and More from The Manhattan Rare Book Company

An untitled catalogue from the Manhattan Rare Book Company.

By Michael Stillman

The Manhattan Rare Book Company has issued a remarkable catalogue to open the new year. I have searched in vain for a title for this catalogue or even a number. I find none other than the motto: "building fine collections one book at a time." So we will skip the title and move to a description of the contents. What you will find is primarily works of literary or artistic merit, with a few items of politics and history, science, along with some children's books. The greatest concentration is in literary first editions from the best-known authors, but as noted, that is not all. Here are some samples of the 85 items in this extensively illustrated catalogue of important works.

Is there a more popular American poem than Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven? Perhaps, but it doesn't immediately come to mind. Item 37 is a copy of the first appearance of this classic, as it appeared in The American Review in 1845. Poe published under the pseudonym "Quarles," though there was no need to hide behind anonymity with works like this. Manhattan notes that it immediately became one of the most recited poems in the country, though it did little to lift Poe's ever-present financial burden. Offered is a bound volume of the issues of January-June 1845 of The American Review, which contains this poem. Priced at $3,800.

Item 6 is a notable work with a most intriguing inscription. The book is In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. The inscription states, "To my dearest Marion; hope you enjoy this my dear -- it was written with you in mind." Written with you in mind? In Cold Blood is the story of two criminals who senselessly murder a Kansas farmer, his wife and two children. Just what did Capote have in mind for poor "Marion?" $2,200.

We will continue this Truman Show with Mr. President, William Hillman's record of Harry Truman's presidency. It is inscribed by Mr. President himself to James E. Noland, a congressman from Indiana. Item 63. $1,800.

Galileo was pilloried and almost executed for blasphemy for claiming the Earth was not the center of the universe, but today he is about as controversial as Barney the Dinosaur. Charles Darwin was not so lucky. Some heresies are better able to stand the test of time. Item 16 is Darwin's The Descent of Man, a first edition, first issue from 1871. Darwin had first enunciated his theory of natural selection in the "Origin of the Species," but it was not until this book that he applied his theories in detail to humans. It was also in this work that he first used the "E" word to describe his theory -- evolution. $12,500.

First Editions, History, Science and More from The Manhattan Rare Book Company

Charles Darwin - still controversial after all these years.

It was August 20, 1940, when Winston Churchill strode before the House of Commons to give this speech. The Blitz of London was underway, virtually all of Europe had fallen to the Nazis, and Britain stood alone. To anyone else it may have looked hopeless, but Churchill would rally his people, presenting an honest assessment, unshakable determination, and absolute confidence that right would win out, no matter how long it might take. His words are inspirational still today. "[W]hen we are doing the finest thing in the world, and have the honour to be the sole champion of the liberties of all Europe, we must not grudge these years or weary as we toil and struggle through them." Churchill was right. Time was on his side. Item 68 is A Speech by the Prime Minister...August 20, 1940. $1,600.

Manhattan describes The Grapes of Wrath as "Steinbeck's masterpiece." There will be no quarrel here. It is the quintessential story of the Great Depression, a time of great misery, only to be followed by the agony Churchill spoke of. Item 62 is a first edition, first issue of the masterpiece. $6,500.

Most people think Bambi is as American as Walt Disney, but the young buck was actually born in the forests of Austria. His creator was Felix Salten, and item 48 is a first edition in English of Bambi. A Life in the Woods. Salten was a prolific writer, but nothing else ever quite reached the same level of mass appeal as his story of the orphaned deer. Five years after this edition was published, Salten sold the film rights, which made their way to Disney and his movie in 1942. $1,600.

The Manhattan Rare Book Company is found online at www.manhattanrarebooks.com, telephone 212-326-8907.