SEUSS, Dr. (pseudonym of GEISEL, Theodor (1904-1991). Hand-Painted Cast Resin Sculpture, “Blue-Green Abelard.” One of only 375 copies of this scarce resin sculpture.
A little-known Dr Seuss creation from the author's Collection of Unorthodox Taxidermy will go under the hammer at Potter & Potter on November 21.
The hand-painted cast resin sculpture by Theordore Geisel who wrote pseudonymouly as Dr Seuss, of a Blue Green Abelard, one of a limited edition of 375 and measuring 24” x 12” x 6”, has an estimate of $10,000.00 - $15,000.00.
Seuss began putting together mounted sculptures of invented animals in the 1930s, calling them his Collection of Unorthodox Taxidermy and the auction lot is based on one of these 19 creations which also included The Seasick Walrus, Sea Going Dilemma Fish, and Andulovian Grackler. These were initially used as promotional items in an exhibition and in bookshops for the publication of his And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street (1937). He never sold them, giving them away as presents and very rarely appear at auction.
The originals often incorporated deceased animal parts such as horns and antlers that his father, superintendent of the local zoo, passed on to him. Seuss also used inanimate objects such as a shaving bush for the hair of the Tufted Gustard.
Other highlights from the Fine Books and Manuscripts auction include:
H. P. Lovecraft's The Outsider and Others, collected by August Derleth and Donald Wandrei. Sauk City, Wisconsin: Arkham House, 1939, illustrator Hannes Bok's personal copy, bookplate, and pencil notes (estimate: $10,000 - $12,000)
Isaac Asimov's The Foundation Trilogy, all first editions in dustjackets, all Inscribed by Asimov. New York: Gnome Press Publishers, [1951-53]. (estimate: $5,000 - $8,000)
a 1952 signed first edition of Flannery O'Connor's first novel Wise Blood. New York: Harcourt, Brace and Company, [1952] (estimate: $2,000 - $4,000)
Mark Twain 1900 original inscribed photogravure portrait, signed as Mark Twain and S. L. Clemens, by H. Walter Barnett. Twain is pictuerd from the chest up in a black suit and tie, ad above the image is the inscription by him: “Good friends, good books, + a sleepy conscience: This is the ideal life. Truly Yours Mark Twain”. Beneath the portrait is: “Sincerely Yours S. L. Clemens Feb. 10, 1900.” (estimate: $15,000 - $20,000)
