Rare Book Monthly

Book Catalogue Reviews - September - 2011 Issue

Arts of the Book from the Veatchs

- by Michael Stillman

Victoria Regia, the largest water lily.

Item 32 is a work that the Veatchs fairly describe as "a cornerstone of American color printing." It contains just six illustrations, but they are elephant folio in size, and remarkable in reproduction. The title is Victoria Regia:  or the Great Water Lily of America, by John Fisk Allen, published in 1854. This story goes back to the 1830s when an enormous water lily was discovered along the banks of the Amazon. The flowers were a foot in diameter, the leaves as tall as a man. A specimen was brought to England, where it was named for the newly crowned Queen Victoria. It was next taken to Philadelphia, where a sample was given to John Fisk Allen of Boston. He wrote the copy for this book and produced one of the illustrations. The others came from William Sharp, an immigrant from England who produced some of America's finest, and pioneering works in chromolithography. $63,000.

 

Item 85 is a collection of 42 pieces from the Overbrook Press. Overbrook was founded in 1934 by Frank Altschul, an investment banker with an interest in books and printing. Altschul printed a fair number of political pamphlets, generally from a left point of view, but even these were printed with unusual care for quality. Additionally, he printed books and other items more typically associated with fine press work. This collection includes both topical and literary works along with some Christmas greetings. Dates range from 1940-1969. Overbrook closed its doors in 1969. $700.

 

The Veatchs Arts of the Book can be reached at 413-584-1867 or veatchs@veatchs.com. Their website is www.veatchs.com.

Rare Book Monthly

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