Done
Bonston, MA, United States
Auction Details
Fine Books & Rare Manuscripts
Our Fine Books & Rare Manuscripts live auction opens up possibilities for exploration—both geographic and bibliographic. The famed (and doomed) third voyage of Captain James Cook (1776-1780) explored the South and North Pacific, but it also left behind a literary and artistic legacy, some notable pieces of which are on offer. The highlight is an ultra-rare copy of John Ledyard's 1783 Journal of Captain Cook's Last Voyage with its fold-out map intact, fresh to the market after having been in the same New England family for over two centuries. Ledyard, an American-born Royal Marine serving on Cook's ship, was present when the explorer was killed by Hawaiians in 1779.
Also on offer is the Royal Admiralty's own, more detailed, account of the voyage, in three volumes plus a folio of large engravings from drawings by expedition artist John Webber. An engraving showing the moment of Cook's death, which was omitted from the folio, is offered framed, along with a rare early-20th-century print made from an unpublished watercolour by Webber. These items have an impeccable Hawaiian lineage, having been purchased four decades ago in Lahaina, Maui. Accompanying them is an intriguing selection of 19th-century Hawaii-related books, including the first publication of portions of the New Testament translated into the Hawaiian language by New England missionaries.
Three centuries before Cook, the German scholar Hartmann Schedel and the artists Michael Wolgemut and Wilhelm Pleydenwurff put together a massive survey of world history and geography under the title Liber Chronicarum (1493). Better known to English-speakers as the Nuremberg Chronicle, it spans the globe from Western Europe to East Asia in over 1,800 woodcuts—maps, cityscapes, and portraits of notables both secular and sacred. We offer a complete copy of the rarely-seen German-language edition, which was issued in slightly smaller numbers than the Latin.
SOLD
0001: LEDYARD, JOHN. 1751-1789 A Journal of Captain Cook's last voyage to the Pacific Ocean, and in qu...Est.
$50,000
-$75,000
0002: [CAPTAIN COOK'S LAST VOYAGE] WEBBER, JOHN. 1751-1793. The Death of Captain Cook., London: W. Byr...Est.
$3,000
-$5,000
Lot Passed0003: [CAPTAIN COOK'S LAST VOYAGE] [after] WEBBER, JOHN. 1751-1793. Boxing Match Before Capt. Cook at ...Est.
$5,000
-$7,000
Lot Passed0004: [CAPTAIN COOK'S LAST VOYAGE] Cook, James. 1728-1779; King, James. 1750-1784. A Voyage to the Pac...Est.
$8,000
-$12,000
Lot Passed0005: [HAWAIIAN HISTORY] ELLIS, WILLIAM. 1794-1872. Polynesian Researches, During a Residence of Nearl...Est.
$400
-$600
Lot PassedSOLD
0007: FIRST PRINTING OF NEW TESTAMENT IN HAWAIIAN. Ka Euanelio a Mataio, a Marako, a Ioane. Rochester,...Est.
$200
-$300
SOLD
0008: [HAWAIIAN HISTORY] BENNETT, C.C. Honolulu Directory and Historical Sketch of the Hawaiian or San...Est.
$2,000
-$3,000
0009: REPTON, H. [HUMPHRY]. 1752-1818. Observations on the Theory and Practice of Landscape Gardening....Est.
$5,000
-$7,000
Lot Passed0010: THE NUREMBERG CHRONICLE. SCHEDEL, HARTMANN. 1440-1514. Liber Chronicarum. [German: Das Buch der ...Est.
$50,000
-$75,000
Lot PassedSOLD
0011: CHAUCER, GEOFFREY. c. 1340s-1400. The Workes of Our Ancient and learned English Poet, Geffrey Ch...Est.
$3,000
-$5,000
SOLD
0012: MORDEN, ROBERT. c. 1650-1703. Geography Rectified, or, a Description of the World. London: Print...Est.
$3,000
-$5,000
SOLD
0013: AUDUBON, JOHN JAMES. 1785-1851. The Birds of America, from Drawings Made in the United States an...Est.
$25,000
-$35,000
SOLD
0014: AUDUBON, JOHN JAMES. 1785-1851. Brown Pelican (Pelicanus Fuscus) [Plate CCCCXXI]., London: Rober...Est.
$30,000
-$50,000
0015: AUDUBON, JOHN JAMES. 1785-1851. Canis Lupus, Linn, Var Rufus (Red Texan Wolf) [Plate LXXXII], Ne...Est.
$5,000
-$7,000
Lot Passed0016: AUDUBON, JOHN JAMES. 1785-1851. Lepus Palustris, Bachman (Marsh Hare) [Plate XVIII]., New York: ...Est.
$2,500
-$3,500
Lot Passed0017: AUDUBON, JOHN JAMES. 1785-1851. Ovis Montana (Rocky Mountain Sheep) [Plate LXXIII]., New York: J...Est.
$3,000
-$5,000
Lot PassedSOLD
0018: [Kelmscott Press] Coleridge, Samuel Taylor (1772-1834) Poems Chosen Out of the Works of Samuel T...Est.
$2,000
-$3,000
SOLD
0019: [Kelmscott Press] The Romance of Sir Degrevant, Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1896Est.
$700
-$1,000
SOLD
0020: [Kelmscott Press] Ruskin, John (1819-1900) The Nature of Gothic: A Chapter of The Stones of Veni...Est.
$1,000
-$1,500
SOLD
0021: [KELMSCOTT PRESS; WILLIAM HARCOURT HOOPER (1834-1912)] BEECHWOOD, WARWICK. The Friends and Othe...Est.
$400
-$600
SOLD
0022: SZYK, ARTHUR. 1894-1951. The Haggadah. London: Beaconsfield Press, Limited, [1940]Est.
$10,000
-$15,000
TOP


![AUDUBON, JOHN JAMES. 1785-1851. Brown Pelican (Pelicanus Fuscus) [Plate CCCCXXI]., London: Rober...](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/1043/306468/163686678_1_x.jpg?height=300&quality=70&version=1697793552)

![[CAPTAIN COOK'S LAST VOYAGE] WEBBER, JOHN. 1751-1793. The Death of Captain Cook., London: W. Byr...: [CAPTAIN COOK'S LAST VOYAGE]WEBBER, JOHN. 1751-1793. The Death of Captain Cook., Engraving, matted and framed, frame 26 3/4 x 30 3/4 in., image area 13 x 18 in.From a drawing by Webber, the official](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/1043/306468/163686666_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1697793552)
![[CAPTAIN COOK'S LAST VOYAGE] [after] WEBBER, JOHN. 1751-1793. Boxing Match Before Capt. Cook at ...: [CAPTAIN COOK'S LAST VOYAGE][after] WEBBER, JOHN. 1751-1793. Boxing Match Before Capt. Cook at Owhyhee..., Photogravure print, matted and framed, frame 29 3/4 X 39 3/4 in., image area 20 1/2 x 30](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/1043/306468/163686667_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1697793552)
![[CAPTAIN COOK'S LAST VOYAGE] Cook, James. 1728-1779; King, James. 1750-1784. A Voyage to the Pac...: [CAPTAIN COOK'S LAST VOYAGE]Cook, James. 1728-1779; King, James. 1750-1784. A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean, Undertaken, by the Command of His Majesty, for Making Discoveries in the Northern](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/1043/306468/163686668_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1697793552)
![[HAWAIIAN HISTORY] ELLIS, WILLIAM. 1794-1872. Polynesian Researches, During a Residence of Nearl...: [HAWAIIAN HISTORY]ELLIS, WILLIAM. 1794-1872. Polynesian Researches, During a Residence of Nearly Eight Years in the Society and Sandwich Islands. New York: J. & J. Harper, 1833. 4 vols., 8vo,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/1043/306468/163686669_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1697793552)
![[HAWAIIAN HISTORY] Assorted 19th-century Hawaiiana.: [HAWAIIAN HISTORY]Assorted 19th-century Hawaiiana. Comprises: Maps and Illustrations of the Missions of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (1843); The Volcano of Kilauea,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/1043/306468/163686670_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1697793552)

![[HAWAIIAN HISTORY] BENNETT, C.C. Honolulu Directory and Historical Sketch of the Hawaiian or San...: [HAWAIIAN HISTORY]BENNETT, C.C. Honolulu Directory and Historical Sketch of the Hawaiian or Sandwich Islands Honolulu: C.C. Bennett, 1869. FIRST EDITION, 8vo, paper-covered boards over black morocco](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/1043/306468/163686672_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1697793552)
![REPTON, H. [HUMPHRY]. 1752-1818. Observations on the Theory and Practice of Landscape Gardening....: REPTON, H. [HUMPHRY]. 1752-1818.Observations on the Theory and Practice of Landscape Gardening. London: Printed by T. Bensley for J. Taylor, 1805. Second edition, 4to (14 1/4 x 12 in.), original](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/1043/306468/163686673_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1697793552)
![THE NUREMBERG CHRONICLE. SCHEDEL, HARTMANN. 1440-1514. Liber Chronicarum. [German: Das Buch der ...: THE NUREMBERG CHRONICLE.SCHEDEL, HARTMANN. 1440-1514. Liber Chronicarum. [German: Das Buch der Croniken und Geschichten]. Nuremberg: Anton Koberger for Sebald Schreyer and Sebastian Kammermeister, 23](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/1043/306468/163686674_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1697793552)



![AUDUBON, JOHN JAMES. 1785-1851. Brown Pelican (Pelicanus Fuscus) [Plate CCCCXXI]., London: Rober...: AUDUBON, JOHN JAMES. 1785-1851.Brown Pelican (Pelicanus Fuscus) [Plate CCCCXXI]., Hand-colored engraving with etching and aquatint, on J. Whatman paper, framed. Image area visible 25 1/4 x 38 in.](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/1043/306468/163686678_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1697793552)
![AUDUBON, JOHN JAMES. 1785-1851. Canis Lupus, Linn, Var Rufus (Red Texan Wolf) [Plate LXXXII], Ne...: AUDUBON, JOHN JAMES. 1785-1851.Canis Lupus, Linn, Var Rufus (Red Texan Wolf) [Plate LXXXII], Lithograph with hand coloring, unframed, 21 x 26 1/2 in. Plate LXXXII from Viviparous Quadrupeds of North](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/1043/306468/163686679_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1697793552)
![AUDUBON, JOHN JAMES. 1785-1851. Lepus Palustris, Bachman (Marsh Hare) [Plate XVIII]., New York: ...: AUDUBON, JOHN JAMES. 1785-1851.Lepus Palustris, Bachman (Marsh Hare) [Plate XVIII]., Lithograph with hand coloring, unframed, 21 x 27 1/4 in.Plate XVIII from Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America.,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/1043/306468/163686680_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1697793552)
![AUDUBON, JOHN JAMES. 1785-1851. Ovis Montana (Rocky Mountain Sheep) [Plate LXXIII]., New York: J...: AUDUBON, JOHN JAMES. 1785-1851.Ovis Montana (Rocky Mountain Sheep) [Plate LXXIII]., Lithograph with hand color, imperial folio, unframed, 21 x 27 in. Plate LXXIII from Viviparous Quadrupeds of North](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/1043/306468/163686681_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1697793552)
![[Kelmscott Press] Coleridge, Samuel Taylor (1772-1834) Poems Chosen Out of the Works of Samuel T...: [Kelmscott Press] Coleridge, Samuel Taylor (1772-1834)Poems Chosen Out of the Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, 8vo, publisher's limp vellum with ribbon ties, 'Coleridge' gilt to spine, title page](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/1043/306468/163686682_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1697793552)
![[Kelmscott Press] The Romance of Sir Degrevant, Hammersmith: Kelmscott Press, 1896: [Kelmscott Press]The Romance of Sir Degrevant, 8vo, publisher's blue-paper-covered boards, linen spine, 'Sire Degrevaunt' in black to front, frontispiece by Edward Burne-Jones, title page and first](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/1043/306468/163686683_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1697793552)
![[Kelmscott Press] Ruskin, John (1819-1900) The Nature of Gothic: A Chapter of The Stones of Veni...: [Kelmscott Press] Ruskin, John (1819-1900)The Nature of Gothic: A Chapter of The Stones of Venice, 8vo, publisher's stiff vellum with ribbon ties, title and author gilt to spine, first page of text](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/1043/306468/163686684_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1697793552)
![[KELMSCOTT PRESS; WILLIAM HARCOURT HOOPER (1834-1912)] BEECHWOOD, WARWICK. The Friends and Othe...: [KELMSCOTT PRESS; WILLIAM HARCOURT HOOPER (1834-1912)]BEECHWOOD, WARWICK. The Friends and Other Poems. London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans, 1854. 12mo, dark green morocco with gilt](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/1043/306468/163686685_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1697793552)
![SZYK, ARTHUR. 1894-1951. The Haggadah. London: Beaconsfield Press, Limited, [1940]: SZYK, ARTHUR. 1894-1951.The Haggadah. London: Beaconsfield Press, Limited, [1940] 4to, full crushed blue morocco signed by Sangorski and Sutcliffe, with pictorial emblem gilt to front and rear,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/1043/306468/163686686_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1697793552)


