Rare Book Monthly

Book Catalogue Reviews - April - 2018 Issue

Zinos Books Publishes Their First Catalogue

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Zinos' 2018 catalogue.

Zinos Books recently published their first paper catalogue. While the catalogue is new, Zinos is not. Nicholas Zinos has been selling books and manuscripts from St. Paul, Minnesota, since 2004. However, the focus is not on the heartland, nor even America. Their selections are international in scope. This 2018 Catalog features European rare and antiquarian books. The catalogue is neatly laid out by centuries. They range from the 16th to the 21st. To be even more exact, the dates go from 1525-2011. What we find here are books that are rare and often noted for their beauty. I can also add that these are mostly titles you are not likely to find anywhere else. Here are a few samples of them.

 

We begin with a look at the city-state of Genoa in the early 16th century. The author was Agostino Giustiniani, a native of Genoa who became Bishop of Nebbio, on Corsica. Most of his writing was religious in nature and he was familiar with leading figures in the church. As best we can tell, he was not a particularly controversial figure, though he did manage to annoy Erasmus. However, this book seriously angered Christopher Columbus' son Ferdinand. Item 3 is his Castigatissimi Annali di Genova (Annals of Genoa), published in 1537. In it, Giustiniani describes Columbus' journeys and how they represent the fulfillment of biblical writings. He claims humble Genoan origins for the Columbus family. This did not sit well with Ferdinand Columbus. Ferdinand saw his family as aristocratic, attacking what he called the twelve lies of Giustiniani. Priced at $2,500.

 

Next we have Systeme des Contradictions Economiques or Philosophie de la Misere, by Pierre Joseph Proudhon, published in 1846. It is best known by the latter half of its title, the Philosophy of Poverty. It resulted in a strong attack from Karl Marx, cleverly titled the Poverty of Philosophy. Proudhon is seen by some as the father of anarchism. He believed labor was the source of economic value and was against private property and profits from capital. However, he also saw changes come through workers understanding the shortcomings of the current system, and thereby joining in voluntary economic collectives, avoiding government force. He foresaw this happening through their voluntary actions rather than violent revolution. While Marx was once an admirer of Proudhon's work, he found this one objectionable and attacked it savagely. I suspect you had to be there to fully understand the nature of Marx's displeasure. Item 51. $500.

 

This is one of those books that is noted for its beauty. It is L'Odyssee, Homer's Odyssey, an event from Greek legend dating back some three millennia. This edition dates only to 1930. While the 30 century age from the original spared Francois Louis Schmied from having to pay Homer copyright royalties, he still had to provide the artwork from scratch. That was Schmied's talent. He expanded from producing artwork to creating entire books. His specialty was to make lavish editions in very short print runs, for which he would gather a group of wealthy subscribers. The intention for this book was to print about 125 copies, but the costs were so great that it is believed that only around 73 copies were produced. Schmied traveled to Greece to study the lighting to get it just right for his images. Printing was done entirely on vellum, and it was said that 3,000 goats from the high mountains of Morocco gave their lives to make this production possible. Wood engraving was handled by Schmied's son, Theo. Item 60 is the first volume (of four) of the "c" copy, which was given to Theo Schmied. The book was published by the Compagnie des Bibliophiles de l'Automobile Club de France. That is something of a surprise to an American. I have long been a member of the AAA and they have never published anything like this, just some soft cover travel guides. It turns out that the French Automobile Club has a society of bibliophiles within it, which publishes such fine books, has an extensive library and other services. Automobile clubs in France are different. $7,500.

 

Item 61 is another Schmied production. This one is Faust, Goethe's classic, only a little over a century old when Schmied published his edition in 1938. Ward Ritchie called Faust "the most ambitious project that Schmied had undertaken to publish." Started in 1929, this one took longer. Schmied relied on people of substantial means to buy his books, the number of whom was seriously eroded by the Great Depression. This is another of his art deco masterpieces, number 79 of just 106 copies. It is signed in pencil. $5,000.

 

Next we have a defense of the indefensible, from William Cecil, who served in various high offices and was a most trusted advisor to Queen Elizabeth (not the current Queen Elizabeth, the original one). This pamphlet is titled A declaration of the fauourable dealing of her Majesties commissioners appointed for the examination of certain traitours and of tortures unjustly reported to be done upon them for matters of religion. It was published in 1583. That was a time of tortures of various Jesuits, which Cecil considered right and proper. In this polemic, he attacks the victims with all sorts of accusations amounting to treason, explaining why they got what they deserved. The pamphlet was published as England was getting a bad reputation as a result of its tortures, and Cecil wanted Europeans to know that it was only applied where necessary, and to those who did not properly recant. Jesuits such as St. Edmund Campion were placed on the rack, and later hanged, drawn and quartered. There was nothing unjust about this at all, in Cecil's opinion. This was not a high point in English history. Item 11. $5,000.

 

We will balance the previous item with a much happier day in Catholic history. Item 54 is The Solemn Blessing and Opening of the New Cathedral of St. Patrick, New York. St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan is likely the most notable symbol of the Church in America. It is a magnificent structure, located across the street from Rockefeller Center. However, at the time it was completed, there was no Rockefeller Center and that part of town was hardly as developed as it is today. It was completed and officially opened in 1879. This pamphlet celebrates the opening, and includes a description of the building, a list of bishops and archbishops attending the celebration, the music and blessings given, and other details about the event. $300.

 

Zinos Books may be reached at 612-707-4804 or npzinos@yahoo.com.

Rare Book Monthly

  • <b>Swann Auction Galleries Sep 27:</b> Franklin H. Brown, <i>State Sovereignty, National Union,</i> Chicago, 1860. $6,000 to $9,000.
    <b>Swann Auction Galleries Sep 27:</b> Thomas Paine, <i>The American Crisis,</i> Fishkill, NY, December 1776. $25,000 to $35,000.
    <b>Swann Auction Galleries Sep 27:</b><br>The Aitken Bible, Philadelphia, 1781. $20,000 to $30,000.
    <b>Swann Auction Galleries Sep 27:</b> Francisco Loubayssin de Lamarca, probable first edition of the first novel set in the Spanish New World, Paris, 1617. $15,000 to $25,000.
    <b>Swann Auction Galleries Sep 27:</b> Juan de la Anunciación, <i>Sermonario en lengua mexicana,</i> first edition, first book of sermons in Nahuatl, Mexico, 1577. $30,000 to $40,000.
    <b>Swann Auction Galleries Sep 27:</b> Maturino Gilberti, <i>Thesoro spiritual en lengua de Mechuacá,</i> first edition, Mexico, 1558. $15,000 to $25,000.
    <b>Swann Auction Galleries Sep 27:</b> Commission of William O. Stoddard as secretary to the president, signed by Lincoln, Washington, 1861. $7,000 to $10,000.
    <b>Swann Auction Galleries Sep 27:</b> <i>Clay and Frelinghuysen,</i> flag banner, circa 1844. $8,000 to $12,000.
    <b>Swann Auction Galleries Sep 27:</b> Daguerreotype of a man believed to be Frederick Granger Williams Smith, son of Joseph Smith, circa late 1850s. $10,000 to $15,000.
    <b>Swann Auction Galleries Sep 27:</b> John C. Wolfe, <i>Portrait of Abraham Lincoln,</i> oil on board in period wooden frame, circa 1860s. $12,000 to $18,000.
    <b>Swann Auction Galleries Sep 27:</b> Francis W. Winton, manuscript on pow-wows with indigenous Canadians, 1881. $15,000 to $25,000.
    <b>Swann Auction Galleries Sep 27:</b> Family letters from two young daguerreotype artists, 1826-79. $10,000 to $15,000.
  • <b>Forum Auctions: Fine Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper. September 27, 2018</b>
    <b>Forum Auctions, Sep. 27:</b> Cartwright (George). <i>A Journal of Transactions and Events, during a Residence of nearly Sixteen Years on the Coast of Labrador...,</i> first edition, with A.L.s. from the author, 1792. £4,000 to £6,000
    <b>Forum Auctions, Sep. 27:</b> Swift (Jonathan). <i>Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World,</i> 2 vol., first edition, Teerink's "A" edition, Printed for Benj. Motte, 1726. £15,000 to £20,000
    <b>Forum Auctions, Sep. 27:</b> Fourier (Jean Baptiste Joseph). <i>Theorie Analytique de la Chaleur,</i> first edition, Paris, chez Firmin Didot, 1822. £6,000 to £8,000
    <b>Forum Auctions: Fine Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper. September 27, 2018</b>
    <b>Forum Auctions, Sep. 27:</b> Boccaccio (Giovanni). <i>Genealogiae Deorum,</i> additions by Dominicus Silvester and Raphael Zovenzonius, Venice, Vindelinus de Spira, 1472. £10,000 to £15,000
    <b>Forum Auctions, Sep. 27:</b> Mary I. Letter signed at the head "Marye the Quene" to Lord Paget, 1 page, 7th June 1556. The recall from exile of nine persons opposed to the Marian regime. £10,000 to £12,000
    <b>Forum Auctions, Sep. 27:</b> Nelson (Horatio). Autograph Letter signed "Horatio Nelson" and written to Francis Drake, British Minister at Genoa, discussing the disposition of his "Cruizers" near Genoa. £6,000 to £8,000
    <b>Forum Auctions: Fine Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper. September 27, 2018</b>
    <b>Forum Auctions, Sep. 27:</b> Darwin (Charles). Unpublished Autograph Letter signed to Walter Raleigh Browne, playing down his scientific knowledge of comparative anatomy, 1881. £6,000 to £8,000
    <b>Forum Auctions, Sep. 27:</b> Murphew (J.). <i>The fair in an uproar, or, the dancing-doggs.</i> As they perform in Mr. Pinkeman's New Opera in Bartholomew Fair, 1707. £1,500 to £2,000
    <b>Forum Auctions, Sep. 27:</b> Chaucer (Geoffrey). <i>The Workes,</i> by [Nicholas Hill for] Thomas Petit, dwellyng in Paules churche yarde at the sygne of the Maydens heed, 1550. £7,000 to £10,000
    <b>Forum Auctions: Fine Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper. September 27, 2018</b>
    <b>Forum Auctions, Sep. 27:</b> Austen (Jane). <i>Emma: A Novel,</i> 3 vol., first edition, 1816. £7,000 to £10,000
    <b>Forum Auctions, Sep. 27:</b> Greene (Graham). <i>Stamboul Train,</i> first edition, first issue, 1932. £8,000 to £12,000
    <b>Forum Auctions, Sep. 27:</b> Churchill.- Fearon (Percy Hutton) "Poy". “Eat More Beef,” pen and ink cartoon with shading in blue pencil, [July 1928]. £400 to £600
  • <b>19th Century Shop:</b> Charles Darwin on sexuality and the transmission of hereditary characteristics: Autograph Letter Signed to Lawson Tait. Down, 17 January [1877].
    <b>19th Century Shop:</b> MILTON, JOHN. <i>Paradise Lost. A Poem written in ten books.</i> London: 1667. A very rare example with the contemporary binding untouched and with a 1667 title page.
    <b>19th Century Shop:</b> Hamilton secures the ratification of the Constitution: <i>The Debates and Proceedings of the Convention of the State of New-York, assembled at Poughkeespsie, on the 17th June, 1788.</i>
    <b>19th Century Shop:</b> The social contract “Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains”: ROUSSEAU, JEAN-JACQUES. <i>Principes du Droit Politique [Du Contract Social]</i>. Amsterdam: Michel Rey, 1762
    <b>19th Century Shop:</b> “The first English textbook on geometrical land-measurement and surveying”: BENESE, RICHARD. <i>This Boke Sheweth the Maner of Measurynge All Maner of Lande…</i>
  • <b>Bonhams: Exploration and Travel, Featuring Americana, Part I. September 25, 2018</b>
    <b>Bonhams, Sep. 25:</b> Shackleton, Ernest. <i>Aurora Australis.</i> Printed at the sign of 'The Penguins'; East Antarctica, 1908. $70,000 to $100,000
    <b>Bonhams, Sep. 25:</b> Shackleton, Ernest. <i>South Polar Times.</i> 1st edition, limited issue. from the library of Michael Barne. $20,000 to $30,000
    <b>Bonhams, Sep. 25:</b> General Washington's <i>Proceedings of a General Court Martial... of Major General Lee.</i> Philiadelphia, 1778. 100 copies printed for Congress. BOUND WITH: ...Court Martial... of St Clair and ...Schuyler. $25,000 to $35,000
    <b>Bonhams: Exploration and Travel, Featuring Americana, Part I. September 25, 2018</b>
    <b>Bonhams, Sep. 25:</b> <i>The Voice of the People.</i> Boston, 1754. Rare pamphlet on the Excise Tax. Nathaniel Sparhawk's copy. $4,000 to $6,000
    <b>Bonhams, Sep. 25:</b> Autograph Letter Signed ("S.L. Clemens"), offering extensive hard-earned advice on writing, 5 pp, 1881. $30,000 to $50,000
    <b>Bonhams, Sep. 25:</b> After Fra Egnazio Danti. <i>L'Ultime Parti not:e nel Indie Occid:ntli" [The last known parts of the Western Indies].</i> Painted Map of California, Western Mexico, and Japan. $70,000 to $100,000
    <b>Bonhams: Exploration and Travel, Featuring Americana, Part I. September 25, 2018</b>
    <b>Bonhams, Sep. 25:</b> Ptolemaeus, Claudius. <i>Geographie opus nouissima...</i> 1513. The most important edition of Ptolemy, containing the Admiral's Map. $250,000 to $350,000
    <b>Bonhams, Sep. 25:</b> De Arellano, Don Alonso. Manuscript, his <i>"Relación mui singular y circunstanciada... Capitán del Patax San Lucas,"</i> manuscript copy from the Sir Thomas Phillips collection. $50,000 to $80,000
    <b>Bonhams, Sep. 25:</b> Purchas, Samuel. <i>Purchas his Pilgrimes.</i> First edition. With John Simth's engraved map of Virginia. $70,000 to $100,000
    <b>Bonhams: Exploration and Travel, Featuring Americana, Part I. September 25, 2018</b>
    <b>Bonhams, Sep. 25:</b> Lewis, Meriwether. Contemporary manuscript true copy of his final power of attorney, 1809. $8,000 to $12,000
    <b>Bonhams, Sep. 25:</b> <i>A New Method of Macarony Making, as Practiced at Boston in North America.</i> Mezzotint. London, 1774. $5,000 to $7,000
    <b>Bonhams, Sep. 25:</b> <i>Scientific Base Ball Pitching: A Treatise on the Pitcher, Pitching, Origin and Philosophy of the Curve.</i> Chicago, 1897. $2,000 to $3,000

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