AntiquarianAuctions.com Auction #43 Highlights, May 28-June 4

From drawings made on the spot by David Roberts, with historical descriptions by Rev. George Croly. Lithographed by Lois Haghe. 3 volumes bound in two. Frontispiece portrait of Roberts, 114 lithographed plates with tissue guards, map. Bookplate of J Warnesby-Wright.

In 1839, Roberts left for Alexandria and visited many of the sites there, then travelled across the desert to the Holy Land visiting Mount Sinai and Petra, Gaza, and then on to Jerusalem. 

He travelled to many of the Holy Land biblical sites, which are depicted in the book. Roberts praised the lithography of Haghe: 'He has rendered the views in a style clear, simple and unlaboured, with a masterly vigour and boldness which none but a painter like him could have transferred to stone' Abbey (272 and 385). This is a very rare piece of early travel literature. Abbey (Travel): “Robert’s Holy Land was one of the most important and elaborate ventures of nineteenth-century publishing, and it was the apotheosis of the tinted lithograph”.

Estimate: $12,000

Lot 1

Schouten (Wouter): WOUTER SCHOUTENS, REYS-TOGTEN NAAAR EN DOOR OOST-INDIE;

in welke, de voornaamste Landen, Koningryken, sSteden, Eylanden, Bergen, en Rivieren, met haare eEigenschappenm, beneffens de Wetten, Godsdienst, Zeden en Dragten der inwooders, en wat verder zoo van Dieren, Vrugten, en Planten aanmerkelyks in die Gewesten is naauwkeurig word beschreven.

Published: Gerrit Tielenburg en Jan Tlam, Amsterdam, 1740

4to (240 x 190 mm) 

3rd edition: 2 volume in 1

An account of extensive travels in the East Indies. Schouten called at the Cape on both his outward and homeward voyages, and both visits are described in this volume. This edition includes a Dutch copy of Edmond Halley's famous map (volume 1, page 224) first published in 1701, which shows worldwide compass deviations for 1700 and was also the very first to introduce arrows showing the directions of monsoon and trade winds.

Estimate: $2,000/3,000

Lot 108 

Rev. F.O. Morris: A NATURAL HISTORY of the NESTS AND EGGS of BRITISH BIRDS

Published: George Bell & Sons, London, 1853 - 1856

490 pages, 8vo., an excellent 3 volume set of the first edition of this definitive work in the original blind and gilt embossed green cloth. A superior copy of this work complete with the 232 hand coloured plates of nests and eggs with the tissue guards all present and clean.

Estimate: $1,000/1,200

Lot 164 

Walter Jerrold and Charles Robinson: The Big Book of Nursery Rhymes

Published: Blackie and Son, London, 1903

320 pages, with a personal note to ‘Chas. Ed. Potter Jr.’ and small ink sketch, signed by Robinson on the ffep (‘With all affection right over the sea/ from/ Charles Robinson/ England/ Xmas. 1907’).

Quarto (25 cm) in red pictorial publisher’s cloth, gilt titles and decoration to cover and spine, a.e.g., fancy endpapers. Three hundred rhymes and stories illustrated on every page with delightful portraits, sketches, doodles, and decorations by Charles Robinson. 

Estimate: $900-1000

Lot 171 

Anon: The Builder’s Dictionary: or, Gentleman’s and Architect’s Companion

Printed for A. Bettesworth and C. Hitch at the Red Lion in Paternoster-Row; and S. Austen, at the Angel and Bible in St. Paul’s Church-Yard, 1734. 

First edition (prelims, unpaginated), Volume I only (of two). Octavo (21 cm) in full leather, gilt titles and decorations to spine, red-stained edges; three fold-outs tipped in at back. Volume I ends at ‘Hy’, repaired hinges. 

Estimate: $600-700   

Lot 31

Compagnie a Charte de Mozambique (1899; 1st Edition; With FOLDING MAPS of Railways of Southeast Africa and the Mozambique Company)

Published: Imprimerie Francois Sapene, Paris, 1899

Work about the colonisation of Southeast and South Africa and The Mozambique Company, a public company for mining and colonial enterprises in Mozambique and their predecessor entities. This work contains many historical, financial, political, economic, social and military details.

Estimate: $400-700

Lot 231

Peter Clarke: Light 

Colour Silkscreen

Published: Hard Ground Printmakers, 
Cape Town, 1999

Edition: AP

Peter Clarke was best known for his graphic prints, particularly his woodcuts, and in later years he moved into collage. He also used leather, glass, found objects and other mixed media to produce his colourful work. Clarke’s artistic career spanned more than 6 decades and he produced a large number of works and appeared in many exhibitions. Nevertheless, despite this experience and exposure, it has been said that his work was not given the full recognition it deserves.

Described as a "quiet chronicler", his work offers a critique of South Africa's social and political history over 60 years.

Estimate: $750

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