CALABASAS, Calif. – The “real” Alice’s copy of Through the Looking Glass, and What Alice Found There (estimate $100,000-$150,000) and Beatrix Potter’s own copy of The Tale of Peter Rabbit, specially bound with a personal inscription ($80,000-$120,000) highlight Profiles in History’s Dec. 16 auction of the Pat McInally Collection of Children’s Literature. Internet live bidding will be provided by LiveAuctioneers.com.
The 101-lot auction also includes a first edition, first state of the text copy of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz ($40,000-$60,000), a first edition of Goldfinger, inscribed by Ian Fleming to William Plomer, the book’s dedicatee ($60,000-$80,000); and a first edition, first issue presentation copy of Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There, accompanied by something extra—two fine original pencil drawings by Alice and Humpty Dumpty by illustrator John Tenniel ($40,000-$60,000).
Other volumes to be offered include limited edition copies of Winnie the Pooh, The House at Pooh Corner and Now We Are Six, all inscribed by author A.A. Milne and illustrator Ernest H. Shepard ($20,000-$50,000 each); as well as a first edition presentation copy of The Time Machine: An Invention, inscribed by author H.G. Wells, ($20,000-$30,000) and a fine first edition (in dust jacket) copy of Stuart Little, inscribed by author E.B. White ($10,000-$15,000).
A first edition of J.R.R. Tolkien’s, The Fellowship of the Ring, ($10,000-$12,000), a first American edition of Peter and Wendy, inscribed by J.M. Barrie ($6,000-$8,000); and a copy of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, with a fantastic tipped-in autograph letter about Narnia by C. S. Lewis ($8,000-$12,000) also will be offered.
Additional highlights include a first edition copy of The Story of Little Black Sambo ($8,000-$12,000) and a first edition of Mother Goose in Prose, L. Frank Baum’s first published book for children and the first book appearance of Dorothy of Oz ($8,000-$12,000).
In addition to aforementioned Goldfinger, James Bond aficionados will be competing for inscribed, first edition copies of For Your Eyes Only ($20,000-$30,000), Thunderball ($15,000-$18,000) and On Her Majesty’s Secret Service ($8,000-$12,000).
Harry Potter fans may want to consider a set of deluxe editions copies of the first four Potter books, all inscribed by J. K. Rowling ($6,000-$8,000); as well as other rare editions from the Potter series.
Besides the books themselves, collectors will find exquisite, original artwork from the books, including an original John Tenniel drawing of the Gryphon from Lewis Carroll’s 1865 Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland ($60,000-$80,000) and Beatrix Potter’s original preparatory drawing of Robin for The Tale of Peter Rabbit ($6,000-$8,000).
About Pat McInally:
Pat McInally has been collecting children’s and young adult literature for over 20 years. He has gone to extraordinary lengths to acquire only the finest copies available, and is determined to only have the most important titles by each author, only in census condition, title by title. Pat himself is as unique as his collection of literature. A former punter and wide receiver for the National Football League’s Cincinnati Bengals from 1976 to 1985, Pat is the first Harvard graduate ever to play in a Pro Bowl and a Super Bowl. He is also the only NFL player to achieve a perfect score on the Wonderlic Personnel Test. In 1986, Pat conceived the Starting Lineup series of action figures, which became a top seller for Kenner. McInally currently sits on the board of Wonderlic, Inc. as well as the NFL’s Youth Football Fund and also finds time to coach high school football.
Visit the fully illustrated catalog and sign up to bid live via the Internet at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.
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ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
