Selected Works From the California Institute of the Arts Library at Bloomsbury Auctions
Godalming—Selected works from the California Institute of the Arts Library will be offered in the February Bibliophile sale at Bloomsbury Auctions alongside the residual working library of Scottish author George MacDonald Fraser and works from other private collections. The sale on Thursday 12th February 2015 will be held at Bloomsbury Auctions’ Godalming saleroom in Surrey.
A first edition of George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949), in the more desirable red dust-jacket, leads the Modern First Editions section [Lot 67, estimate £600-800].
From the property of the California Institute of the Arts Library come 11 volumes of the first edition of the first comprehensive description of Ancient and Modern Egypt; Description de l’Egypte, (1809-22). The 11 volumes cover maps, botany, mineralogy, antiquities and natural history and are illustrated with over 600 engraved plates [Lot 229, estimate £2,000-3,000]. When sold as a 20-volume complete set this work can be expected to achieve in excess of £30,000. The proceeds from this and all pieces from the California Institute of the Arts Library will go towards supporting their library.
Other private collections include a selection of rare and collectable playing cards from the property of a gentleman, including Grand Jeu des Adventures de Robinson Crusoe (circa 1770), comprising 25 hand-coloured engraved cards depicting Robinson Crusoe, each with explanatory text [Lot 345, estimate £400-600].
Under the topic of magic is an excellent book on conjuring, card tricks and magical games; Natürliches Zauber-Buch oder Neu-eröffneter Spiel-platz rarer Künste (1745). The woodcut illustrations include a magic lantern, palmistry and mechanical cars. [Lot 205, estimate £400-600].
Elsewhere in the sale is a 40-lot strong section of Art reference works, which include books on Hogath, Julia Margaret Cameron, George Moreland and Whistler amongst others [Lot 304-344].
From the growing Middle-Eastern department at Bloomsbury Auctions comes a collectable travel book on Persian Kouli Kan; Complete History of Thomas Kouli Kan…Sovereign of Persia (1742) [Lot 478, estimate £800-1,200].
The Bibliophile Sale will be held at Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions’ Godalming saleroom in Surrey on Thursday 12th February 2015. The catalogue is available to view and download online at www.bloomsburyauctions.com.
