BERKELEY, Calif. – On Thursday, September 8, PBA Galleries will host a sale with 107 lots of rare, valuable, important and profoundly interesting material in all fields. These range from a first edition of the King James Bible to the foundation of Game Theory, with classics from Homer, Aristotle, Virgil and the pre-Socratic philosophers. Landmarks of science by Kepler, Darwin and Einstein are also available, as well as travels through the interiors of North and South America, manuscripts and ephemeral printings from Mexico, finely bound sets and high spots of literature. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.
A highlight of the auction is the Great “She” Bible, a first edition, second issue of the King James Bible from 1613-1611. It is a rare, complete copy including the elaborate woodcut historiated title pages for both the Old and New Testaments, wood cut initials headpieces and genealogical tables, and a double-page engraved map by John Speed. It carries an estimate of $60,000-$90,000.
Another notable offering is Edward Gibbon’s Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, in six volumes dating from 1776-1788. It was the most celebrated historical work in English literature covering the Roman Empire from the 2nd century A.D. to its collapse in the west in the 5th century and in the east in the 15th century. It is an exceptional set bound in period tree calf, with all volumes in the first edition, and is estimated at $30,000-$50,000.
A featured lot is an official period copy of the Japanese Instrument of Surrender signed aboard the USS Missouri in 1945. It is printed on the rectos of eight leaves of U. S. Army watermarked paper. This document marked the end of the seminal armed conflict of the 20th century. Its estimate is $20,000-$30,000.
A first edition of the groundbreaking and supremely influential Theory of Games and Economic Behavior by John Von Neumann and Oskar Morgenstern from 1944 also graces the auction. It is a presentation copy inscribed and signed by Morgenstern with the often-lacking Corrigenda slip tipped in at the end of the table of contents. It has an estimate of $20,000-$30,000.
Rounding out the highlights is a spectacular copy of Darwin’s Origin of Species in the second edition and second issue. It is in the original green cloth, bright, fresh and very fine – exceptionally sharp and crisp, and estimated at $20,000-$30,000.
For more information about upcoming sales, to schedule a Zoom preview or phone bidding for a future auction, please contact PBA Galleries at 415-989-2665 or pba@pbagalleries.com.
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