Solvyn's 1812 Hindu History "Les Hindous" Features Prominently at Auction

On June 10, 2017, National Book Auctions presented a signature sale comprising an extensive and carefully curated group of rare and collectible books, maps, and ephemera.

One of the standout lots was a scarce volume from the first French edition of Frans Balthazar Solvyn's "Les Hindous." Profusely illustrated with colored engraved plates that captured the mysterious beauty of the Indian subcontinent, this seminal ethnographic text sold for $5,000.

This sale is also exceptionally strong in natural history works, including two first-edition octavo volumes of Audubon's iconic "Birds of America," which fetched $5,000 and $4,062, as well as Griffith's "Natural History of Barbados," which brought $3,375. 

Numerous desirable emblem books from the sixteenth through eighteenth centuries were also showcased, such as "Omnia Andreae Alciati" from circa 1574, which sold for $1,000.

While this sale was focused principally on antiquarian titles, a select few collectible volumes from the twentieth century were offered as well, like an author-signed pre-publication presentation copy of Charles Lindbergh's "Spirit of St. Louis," which was hammered down for $1,187.

For more information about consigning or bidding at National Book Auctions, email mail@nationalbookauctions.com or call 607-269-0101.