Our March sale showed continued evidence of the depth of interest in rare books, documents and manuscripts with many lots dramatically running away from the estimates – the overall realisation was 25% above the top estimate and just shy of double the low estimate – but this letter is to announce details of our two June sales.
Our next major sale will be held on Monday 28 June. The highlight of this sale is a group of valuable and important early voyages from a private collection, including an impressive set of the rare deluxe large paper issue of Flinders’s Voyage, with large format unfolded atlas in original boards; Parkinson’s Journal – both the first edition as well as the extremely scarce and important 1784 second edition; the very rare issue of Dalrymple’s An Historical Collection of the Several Voyages and Discoveries in the South Pacific Ocean dated 1769; the rare true first editions of Barrington’s Voyage and of the Sequel, in matching bindings (possibly the first time both have been offered in the same sale!), and others by Bligh, Cook, Vancouver, Phillip, Hunter, Tench, etc. Rounding off this section are Antarctic voyages, including a Shackleton letter, from the library of the late Dr Eric Stock (whose fine Australiana collection was sold in our rooms March 2001). The sale also includes a good section of fishing books; some most unusual ephemera; militaria; art, literature, and children’s books; general antiquarian; as well as a good section of travel, including Australiana from the collection of Dr. John Chapman and several other private vendors.
The colour-illustrated catalogue will be posted to subscribers soon. If you are not a subscriber, it will be available for purchase at the Gallery early June (cost $33).
Prior to this already keenly anticipated sale, we will be conducting our next uncatalogued room sale at 1pm on Monday 7 June (viewing: 10am – 5pm Saturday and Sunday 5-6 June, and for a limited time on the morning of Monday 7 June). Please note these dates in your diary now. The sale comprises militaria; art (including the collection of renowned artist the late Robert Grieve); Australiana; literature; reference; natural history; and a large collection of Irish and Celtic history.
Cataloguing has commenced for auctions planned for the second half of 2010, and we are always keen to discuss the dispersal of valuable single items or entire collections in all collectable fields. Please contact us as soon as possible to include your property in one of our forthcoming sales.
We look forward to seeing you in June.
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