JUNE 21, 2009 NATIONAL BOOK AUCTION LISTINGS - ITEMS SUBJECT TO CHANGE [FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 607-269-0101] • RETURN TO HOME PAGE

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Page 12

Realized Prices

Condition/Details: Bound in black cloth with gilt lettering, this antique volume is a scarce collection of aphoristic writings by American journalist, novelist, essayist and poet Christopher Morley (1890-1927). The author characterized this work in the following manner: "But, like most poets, I have always hankered to put down some of my private pensiveness about the nature and purpose of literature (and especially poetry). This is not a book of literary criticism, but something much less skilful and much more important - an attempt to probe those disturbances and ecstasies that engender literature. It is an attempt to avert my eyes from facts. I even thought of it as a sort of eccentric textbook for students. Hoping to ingratiate myself with serious people, I proposed to call it 'Preliminary Ejaculations Tending Toward an Understanding of the Meaning of Poetry.' But when I wrote that down on the title-page it looked too formidable." The volume is in excellent condition, and is solidly bound with clean pages. Small stain appears along bottom edge between pages 97 and 121. Dustjacket is intact. The book measures approximately 4 1/4" x 7 1/4" and contains 158 pages. Shipping cost (within the U.S.) for this lot will be: $4.50

Notes: These magazines show very nicely with beautiful color front and rear covers. Most of the magazines are intact and whole, some issues show signs of age/wear including chipping, loose covers, etc. Shipping cost (within the U.S.) for this lot will be: $23.50

Coast Redwood lumber is highly valued for its beauty, light weight, and resistance to decay. Its lack of resin makes it resistant to fire. Because of its impressive resistance to decay, redwood was extensively used for railroad ties and trestles throughout California. Many of the old ties have been recycled for use in gardens as borders, steps, etc. Redwood burls are used in the production of table tops, veneers, and turned goods. Trees over 60 m (200 feet) are common, and many are over 90 m (300 feet). The current tallest tree is Hyperion, measuring at 115.55 m (379.1 feet). The tree was discovered in Redwood National Park during Summer 2006 by Chris Atkins and Michael Taylor and has been measured as the world's tallest living thing. The previous record holder was the Stratosphere Giant in the Humboldt Redwoods State Park, at 112.83 m, last measured in 2004 (was 112.34 m in Aug 2000 and 112.56 m in 2002). Until it fell in March 1991, the "Dyerville Giant" was the record holder. It too stood in Humboldt Redwoods State Park; it was 113.4 metres high and estimated to be 1,600 years old.

The volume remains a strong example of the work of craftsmanship that went into its production. Well-preserved, with corners that are slightly bumped, and tearing along gutters, the book is solidly bound with age-toned pages that show mild rippling. The endpapers have elegant green floral pattern. It shoud be stressed that photographs are unfaded and bright, showing detail after detail of the work this book sets out to describe. They capture a world that is now largely extinct. The book measures approximately 8.75" x 11.25" and contains 107 pages. Shipping cost (within the U.S.) for this lot will be: $4.50

Condition/Details: Bound in green cloth with bright gilt embossing, this antique volume is a scarce work of botany. The work is illustrated with a tissue-guarded frontispiece and many bright color plates. This handsome volume shows very light external age/wear, and is solidly bound with clean pages. The book measures approximately 9.75" x 12" and contains 614 pages. Shipping cost (within the U.S.) for this lot will be: $4.50

Notes: Most of the newspapers are intact and whole, some issues show signs of age/wear including chipping, soiling, tearing, etc. A large number have been preserved in plastic and are in very good condition. Shipping cost (within the U.S.) for this lot will be: $32.50

Condition/Details: This album shows significant external wear. The pages and cards are in very good condition with slight age/wear indications. Shipping cost (within the U.S.) for this lot will be: $6.50

Condition/Details: Bound in blindstamped dark green cloth with bright gilt embossing, this antique volume is a scarce horticultural work by Jane C. Webb Loudon (1807-1858), English writer and botanist, known for her work in creating the first popular gardening manuals, providing an alternative to the specialist horticultural tomes of her time. She found the gardening manuals of the day confusing as they were written for those already deeply into the field via some apprenticeship; there were no entry-level manuals. She wisely saw the need for and potential interest in such books, and set to writing them when she herself learned: Instructions in Gardening for Ladies; The Ladies' Flower Garden; The Ladies' Companion to the Flower Garden; Botany for Ladies; The Lady's Magazine of Gardening, etc. According to Adams, these became "standard books of reference, and attained a large circulation." She was not only influenced by her husband in gardening, but by John Lindley, whose lectures she attended and ardently seconded his concepts of gardening as an occupation very fit for ladies.

The work is illustrated with many in-text engravings. The volume shows light external age/wear, and is solidly bound with age-toned pages. The book measures approximately 5 1/2" x 8" and contains 430 pages. Shipping cost (within the U.S.) for this lot will be: $4.50

Condition/Details: Bound in yellow cloth with embossed lettering to spine and front cover, this volume is a scarce signed first United States edition of the English author's first novel. It won the Somerset Maugham Award in 1974 and in 1989 was made into a film by the same name, starring Dexter Fletcher and Ione Skye. The author's signature appears on half-title page. The volume shows very light external age/wear, and is solidly bound with clean pages. Dustjacket appears in mylar cover. The book measures approximately 5 3/4" x 8 1/2" and contains 228 pages. Please note that a number of signed first edtions of this author's novels are being offered in this auction. See lot 450. Shipping cost (within the U.S.) for this lot will be: $4.50

Notes: Most of the newspapers are intact and whole, some issues show signs of age/wear including chipping, loose covers, etc. A great number are quite well preserved and several appear in plastic bags. Shipping cost (within the U.S.) for this lot will be: $16.50

Notes: Bound in three-quarter leather with bright embossed gilt lettering to spine, this antique set is a scarce German-language work on organic chemistry. The fifth volume ("Cyclische Verbindungen - Naturstoffe") was published in 1924 by Walter de Gruyter & Co. (Berlin). The volumes show mild external age/wear, and are solidly bound with clean, lightly age-toned pages, decorative endpapers and marbled edges. These volumes are ex-library copies with the standard markings. The books measure approximately 6 1/2" x 9 1/4". Shipping cost (within the U.S.) for this lot will be: $16.50

Notes: Bound in leatherette with bright silver lettering, this vintage set is a scarce reference work, "the Bible for pre-war tube set schematics," containing detailed schematics and alignment instructions. The work is profusely illustrated with diagrams and photographs (these volumes are often over 1500 pages each). The volumes show external age/wear (abridged volume has cracked hinges). Lightly age-toned pages are clean and unmarked. The books measure approximately 9" x 11 3/4". Shipping cost (within the U.S.) for this lot will be: $102.50

Condition/Details: Bound in green cloth with bright gilt lettering, this antique volume is a scarce pomological work. The work is illustrated with many bright color plates. The volume shows external age/wear. The book has a cracked front hinge and detaching rear cover. Age-toned pages are unmarked. Final pages are detached and show marginal staining. The book measures approximately 9 1/2" x 12" and contains 564 pages. Shipping cost (within the U.S.) for this lot will be: $4.50

Condition/Details: Bound in green cloth with gilt lettering to spine, this antique volume is a scarce botanical study by Liberty Hyde Bailey (1858 - 1954), American horticulturist, botanist and cofounder of the American Society for Horticultural Science. The work contains in-text illustrations. The volume shows light external age/wear, and is solidly bound with age-toned pages that show foxing throughout. A letter addressed to the author on the stationery of "The Sports Club" of St James' Square, London, dated July 8, 1898, has been laid in. The letter raises a number of botanical questions as they relate to Africa. The letter is signed by Felix Roth, District Medical Officer, H. B. M.'s Niger Coast Protectorate. The book measures approximately 5 1/4" x 7 3/4" and contains 515 pages plus 4 pages of publisher's advertisements. Shipping cost (within the U.S.) for this lot will be: $4.50