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PBA Galleries to auction early Americana in Sept. 8 auction of books, rare printings

SAN FRANCISCO – On September 8, PBA Galleries will offer 218 select lots ranging from foundation works on the creation of the United States to landmarks of 19th-century American fiction and now-classic 20th-century children’s books. The sale also includes many finely bound books, rare printings from the 15th century onward, first archives and manuscript material, early medical works, rare botanicals, and much more. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.com.

The sale features a very rare folio first edition of Acts Passed at a Congress of the United States of America, 1789-90, the first official publication of the acts of the first Congress, including the Constitution and the Bill Rights. It is one of only 600 copies printed for official distribution to the members of executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the federal and state governments, none intended for the general public. A fascinating look at the beginnings of the United States, the publication contains all the acts passed at the first Congress, such as the establishment of the Departments of State, War, and Treasury; the placement of duty on imports, establishment the salaries of the President, Vice President, members of the Senate and House, and Supreme Court justices; and all 12 Articles of the Bill of Rights (only 10 of which were ratified). Estimate: $40,000-$60,000

 

Image courtesy of PBA Galleries
Image courtesy of PBA Galleries

 

Another highlight is a brilliant copy of Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, one of the greatest achievements of 19th-century American literature. This early state of the first edition is a superb, bright, tight copy, practically in as-new condition, and is housed in a custom half morocco slipcase and chemise. A note signed by Twain and proof of the “suppressed plate” are also included in the lot. Estimate: $30,000-$50,000.

 

Image courtesy of PBA Galleries
Image courtesy of PBA Galleries

 

A remarkable pair of guestbooks from the 1920s, contains signatures of many luminaries who stopped by to purchase craft and film supplies or view exhibits at the Hollywood Art Shop. Among the 800 or so who left their autographs are Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd, Jean Hersholt, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Gloria Swanson, Lon Chaney, Noah Beery, Hugh Lofting, Fannie Hurst, John Barrymore, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Dorothy Devore, Richard Halliburton, Rudolph Valentino, Cyril Hume, Dashiell Hammett, Cornell Woolrich, and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Estimate: $20,000-$30,000

 

Image courtesy of PBA Galleries
Image courtesy of PBA Galleries

 

Nürnbergische Hesperides by Johann Volckaner, 1708-1814, with 260 engraved plates, is one of the most celebrated of 18th-century fruit books. Shown below, it is estimated at $20,000-$30,000.

 

 

Image courtesy of PBA Galleries
Image courtesy of PBA Galleries

 

A superb pair of albums containing nearly 100 gelatin silver prints of San Francisco in the wake of the massive earthquake and fire of 1906, sample page shown below, is of exceptional quality and estimated at $15,000-$25,000.

 

Image courtesy of PBA Galleries
Image courtesy of PBA Galleries

 

Other highlights include: a set of the four Christopher Robin books by A.A. Milne, featuring Winnie the Pooh, first editions in the original dust jackets, estimate: $12,000-$15,000; and The Federalist: on the New Constitution, by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay and James Madison, the second edition, two volumes, 1802, a cornerstone of American political theory, estimate: $10,000-$15,000.

The sale will begin at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time / 2 p.m. Eastern time. Bid absentee or live online through LiveAuctioneers.com. For more information, please call PBA at 415-989-2665 or email pba@pbagalleries.com.

 

View the fully illustrated catalog and sign up to bid absentee or live online at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.