Skip to content
Tiffany

Waverly’s March 22 sale offers signed L.C. Tiffany book

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf
Tiffany
Book titled ‘The Art Work of Louis C. Tiffany,’ signed by Tiffany himself, printed in 1914, one of only 502 issued and one of 492 that were printed on Japon vellum, numbered 354. Est. $2,000-$4,000. Waverly Rare Books image

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – Rare books, manuscripts, maps, autographs, prints, photographs and ephemera spanning several centuries are up for bid in a catalog auction slated for this Thursday, March 22, by the Waverly Rare Books division of Quinn’s Auction Galleries. Interested collectors can view all 413 lots in the online catalog now and bid absentee or live via the Internet through LiveAuctioneers.

Expected top lots include a book depicting artworks by Louis C. Tiffany and hand-signed by Tiffany (above), a letter written by Alexander Hamilton,  a double-page map of Chesapeake, Va. (circa 1630-1663), and a painting by Sir Alexander Allen.

The letter by Hamilton, from 1794, is a handwritten and signed military request for wagons during the Whiskey Rebellion, a violent uprising that occurred mainly in western Pennsylvania in response to a federal tax on whiskey production. The letter (below) has an estimate of $6,000-$9,000. The money will go toward restoration work being performed on the Hill House Museum in Pennsylvania.

Tiffany
Letter handwritten and signed by Alexander Hamilton in 1794, a military request for wagons during the Whiskey Rebellion, a violent uprising in response to a tax on whiskey production. Est. $6,000-$9,000. Waverly Rare Books image

A professional appraiser has authenticated the letter, as well as Hamilton’s signature. A spokesman for the Portsmouth Historical Association, involved in the restoration effort, said he hoped the letter would bring $11,000 or more, although around $100,000 is required to complete the entire project. The Hill House Museum has been a historical fixture near Portsmouth’s waterfront since the 1800s.

As important as it is, the Hamilton letter is not even the sale’s top-estimated item. That honor goes to a two-volume set of books being sold as one lot, titled Bucaniers of America, est. $7,500-$10,000. The unabridged first edition provides an account in English of the pirates and buccaneers of the New World. It includes engraved plates, folding maps and illustrations within the text. They were printed in London, England, in 1684.

Tiffany
Two-volume set of books titled ‘Bucaniers of America,’ unabridged first-edition accounts, in English, of the pirates and buccaneers of the New World, printed in London, England in 1684. Est. $7,500-$10,000). Waverly Rare Books image

The book titled The Art Work of Louis C. Tiffany, signed by Tiffany himself, was printed in 1914 and carries a presale estimate of $2,000-$4,000. It is one of only 502 issued, and one of 492 that were printed on Japon vellum (numbered 354). The book boasts 21 tipped-in color plates and 42 photogravures with lettered tissue guards. The book was published by Doubleday, New York.

The pencil, pen, gray ink and watercolor painting by British artist Sir Alexander Allan (1764-1820), depicting a Sepoy (native) military train crossing a river ford, probably the 13th Madras Native Infantry attachment used in the Mysore Campaign, should fetch $1,000-$2,000. The work was painted around the 1790s and measures 20¾ inches by 16¼ inches, including the frame.

Tiffany
Pencil, pen, gray ink and watercolor painting by British artist Sir Alexander Allan (1764-1820) depicting a Sepoy (native) military train crossing a river ford. Est. $1,000-$2,000. Waverly Rare Books image

Baby boomers may recall Roald Dahl’s children’s book from 1961 titled James and the Giant Peach (Alfred A. Knopf, New York). A first issue copy of the book is in the auction and carries a presale estimate of $300-$500. The dust jacket reveals the book’s original cost at the time as $3.95.

Tiffany
Roald Dahl’s children’s book from 1961 titled ‘James and the Giant Peach’ (Alfred A. Knopf, N.Y.), a first-issue copy of the book showing the original cost at the time of $3.95. Est. $300-$500. Waverly Rare Books image

A 19th-century colonial-era English School oil-on-canvas painting of an Indian or Middle Eastern man in a red-orange turban and blue jacket, wearing slippers and holding a pipe, should realize $200-$300. The undated and unsigned painting measures 23 inches by 29 inches in the frame.

Tiffany
Nineteenth-century colonial-era English School oil-on-canvas painting of an Indian or Middle Eastern man in a red-orange turban and blue jacket, wearing slippers and holding a pipe. Est. $200-$300. Waverly Rare Books image

An archive of letters and documents pertaining to Laszlo Biro, mostly on carbon paper, related to Biro’s effort to patent what eventually became the first commercially successful ballpoint pen, is estimated at $100-$200. The early 1940s trove features over 60 leaves, four photos and two pens.

Tiffany
Archive of letters and documents pertaining to Laszlo Biro, mostly on carbon paper, related to Biro’s effort to patent what eventually became the first commercially successful ballpoint pen. Est. $100-$200. Waverly Rare Books image

The brilliantly rendered double-page map of Chesapeake, Va., and its surroundings (oriented to the west) is titled Nova Virginiae Tabula (circa 1630-1663) and could reach a winning bid of $800-$1,200. The map was based on Capt. John Smith’s map of Virginia, with continuations along the coastline. The plate was originally engraved by Jodocus Hondius Jr., and was revised by Bleau circa 1629.

Tiffany
Brilliantly rendered and colorful double-page map of Chesapeake, Va., and its surroundings (oriented to the west), titled Nova Virginiae Tabula, circa 1630-1663. Est. $800-$1,200. Waverly Rare Books image

A two-volume set of books chronicling Capt. James Cook’s voyages to the South Pole and elsewhere around the world, printed in London in 1777 for W. Strahan and T. Cadell, is expected to garner $4,500-$6,500. The books, describing Cook’s exploits aboard His Majesty’s ships the Resolution and Adventure (1772-1775), have 50 engraved plates, 13 maps and six folding charts.

 

Tiffany
Two-volume set of books chronicling Capt. James Cook’s voyages to the South Pole and elsewhere around the world, printed in London in 1777 for W. Strahan and T. Cadell. Est. $4,500-$6,500. Waverly Rare Books image

A rare and fragile copy of the book 7 Manifestes Dada by Tristan Tzara (1896-1963), signed and inscribed by Tzara in October 1924 to Jacques Riviere, a major force in French intellectual life after World War I, is expected to sell for $2,000-$4,000. The book, in a custom blue half leather and cloth clamshell case, is in very good condition. It was printed in Paris by Editions du Diorama.

Tiffany
Rare and fragile copy of the book ‘7 Manifestes Dada’ by Tristan Tzara (1896-1963), signed and inscribed by Tzara in Oct. 1924 to Jacques Riviere, a major force in French intellectual life after World War I. Est. $2,000-$4,000. Waverly Rare Books image

Waverly Rare Books is a division of Quinn’s Auction Galleries. The firm is always accepting quality consignments for future auctions. To consign a single item, an estate or a collection, call 703-532-5632 or email info@quinnsauction.com.

[av_button label=’View the fully illustrated catalog and bid on LiveAuctioneers.’ link=’manually,http://bit.ly/2FXtc4G’ link_target=’_blank’ size=’medium’ position=’center’ icon_select=’no’ icon=’ue800′ font=’entypo-fontello’ color=’theme-color’ custom_bg=’#444444′ custom_font=’#ffffff’ admin_preview_bg=” av_uid=’av-tl23nj’]