Another highlight is the 1896 Kelmscott Chaucer (estimate: $60,000), edited by F.S. Ellis and designed by William Morris with 87 woodcut illustrations by Edward Burne-Jones and intricate borders, frames, and typefaces by Morris.
The Fine Autographs and Artifacts Featuring Art and Literature sale ends on January 8.
Washington Irving Manuscripts and Tolkien Presentation Copy to Auction
RR Auction
Washington Irving's politics notebook
A selection of Washington Irving manuscripts leads RR Auction's January Fine Autographs and Artifacts sale.
Highlights include the unpublished handwritten draft of Legend of the House of Omeya, a narrative shaped by Irving's immersion in Spanish culture during his time in Spain (estimate: $40,000). Also featured is Irving's personal notebook on Spanish politics, written while serving as the United States ambassador (estimate: $15,000).
Also going under the hammer is a signed first edition copy of J.R.R. Tolkien's 1968 The Road Goes Ever On: A Song Cycle (estimate: $20,000), inscribed to Margaret Wiseman, a lifelong friend and Benedictine nun to whom the author gave inscribed copies of his works for more than 30 years. The book, with music by Donald Swann, features Tolkien's rarely used signature "Ronald".
An additional Tolkien lot is a signed autograph letter dated May 14, 1955, in which Tolkien reflects on the anticipated publication of The Return of the King, the final volume of his The Lord of the Rings trilogy. In the letter (estimate: $15,000), addressed to Mrs. L.C. Beckett Frost in Ravello, Italy, he expresses his hope that readers will not be disappointed, comparing his work to Homer's epics and discussing the delays caused by his commitment to provide extensive appendices and information. This handwritten letter is accompanied by the original envelope, addressed in Tolkien's hand.
