Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 61

Manuscript, Collectibles and Aerospace Auction

Authors

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 407		Bryant, William Cullen (1794-1878) Poet, journalist, and editor. Autograph quotation signed, 4¼ x 4½", n.p., Apr. 5, 1877. The third stanza of the poem "The Planting of the Apple-Tree," beginning "What plant we with the Apple tree? Sweets for a hundred flowery springs…." Fine. Matted with a small portrait of Bryant and framed to an overall size of 19½ x 15½ in. With a COA from the late autograph dealer Charles Hamilton on the verso. Estimated Value $150 - 200. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $132
Lot 408		Chandler, Raymond (1888-1959) American novelist and screenwriter who created hardboiled detective Philip Marlowe and had an enormous influence on the modern private detective story. Autograph Sentiment Signed, "Raymond Chandler / La Jolla Sept. 16, 1949." Above, he wrote, "'A soft dollar turneth away wrath.' The Maxims of Philip Marlowe." Written in blue ink on a light tan 3 x 5 in. card. Fine. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,500. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $617
Lot 409		[Cooper, James Fenimore] Pioneers. First edition, first printing of The Pioneers, the first of the Leatherstocking Tales. Two-volume set, 1823, New York, Charles Wiley, publisher. Both volumes list Clayton as printer. Two volumes, 7¼ x 4.½ (12mo), contemporary calf with gilt spines. Second volume has errata notice bound at end which begins, "In consequence of the state of the city during the fever, the PIONEERS has not received the careful revision that was desirable. Most of the time, the publisher was absent, and the proofs were not read in the usual fashion." Contemporary owner�s pen identification present in Vol. II but cut from top of title page of Vol. I. Both volumes have later owner�s handstamp on free endpapers, front blank end paper pasted down, inner hinge cracked and some foxing. Vol. I has juvenile pencil markings on versos of half title and dedication pages. Covers well rubbed. Many call The Pioneers the first American novel and Natty Bumppo the first American hero. Estimated Value $600 - 800. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $499
Lot 410		[Cooper, James Fenimore] Precaution (1789-1851) American author, best remembered for his sea stories and the historical novels known as the Leatherstocking Tales. First edition, first printing of Cooper's first book, Precaution. Two-volume set, New York, published anonymously by A.T. Goodrich, 1820. 7¼ x 4½ in. (12mo), contemporary full calf with gilt spines. Errata leaf in volume one; back board missing; foxing throughout; waterstains in Vol I, inner hinge cracked; 75% of rear end paper missing. Contemporary owner�s name cut from top of title page. Later owner�s handstamp facing title, with pencil bookseller�s note; same handstamp on endpapers of volume II. Finding both volumes of this first edition is rare. Estimated Value $600 - 800. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,116
Lot 411		Field, Eugene (1850-1895) American writer, best remembered for children's poetry such as Wynken, Blynken and Nod, and humorous essays. Autograph letter signed, 1p, 5½ x 5¼", South Kensington, Aug. 12, 1890. To Low's Exchange, regarding his mail, and a needed address, with the comment, "My health has much improved by a visit to Germany…." He died five years later at the age of 45. Matted with a color image and framed to an overall size of 18 x 12¼ in. Estimated Value $100 - 150. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $60
Lot 412		Withdrawn	Unsold
Lot 413		Heller, Joseph. First Edition of Catch-22 Signed and Inscribed on the front flyleaf, "To Jerry Broidy, who supervised my work at Time (even while I was working on this book). Thanks and good wishes. Joe Heller Oct. 19, 1961 New York (McCall's Magazine)." Simon and Schuster, New York, 1961. 443 pp. Hard covers with sunning to spine and edges; inner hinge professionally repaired. Front cover of supply dust jacket has several small edge splits. A tight copy, lightly toned throughout. Accompanied by a page with a long inscription and signature removed from Heller's book, Good As Gold: "To Jerry Broidy, Who I never thought was Jewish until I was told he was, by him, and who, thereafter, became the inspiration for much of the spiritual content contained herein. Joe Heller Nov. 18, 1985 London (69 Cadogan)." "Catch-22" in the novel refers to a military rule which invoked circular logic to prevent anyone from avoiding combat missions. It has come to mean a no-win situation, or as Webster's Dictionary defines it: "A paradox in which seeming alternatives actually cancel each other out, leaving no means of escape from a dilemma." Estimated Value $4,000 - 6,000. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $2,400
Lot 414		Holmes, Oliver Wendell, Sr (1809-1894) Physician and writer; one of the most popular American poets of the 19th century. Autograph Letter Signed "O W Holmes,", one page, 7 x 4½ in., Boston, Dec. 7, 1886. To an unnamed man, explaining, "The lines in question are to be found in 'Poetry: A Metrical Essay' published in the first and all subsequent editions of my poetical writings." Fine. Matted with a portrait of Holmes and framed to an overall size of 13½ x 16½ in. Estimated Value $150 - 200. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $90
Lot 415		Lawrence, D. H (1885-1930) British novelist; his novels analyzed the ills of modern industrial society and the role of sex in human conduct. Autograph Letter Signed "D.H. Lawrence," one page, 6¾ x 5 in., Del Monte Ranch, Questa, New Mexico, July 15 1925. To "Seltzer," saying, "We expect to be in New York in the autumn, coming through on our way to England. I shall be able to see you then, and have a talk." Matted with a small color drawing of Lawrence and framed to an overall size of 13¼ x 17 in.; some nicks to frame. With a COA from the late autograph dealer Charles Hamilton on the verso. Thomas Seltzer was an influential small publisher in New York who published the first U.S. editions of many of Lawrence's works. Estimated Value $600 - 800. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $940
Lot 416		Inscribed and Signed copy of To Kill A Mockingbird: "To Bobby from his devoted friend and admirer, Harper Lee March 14, 1962," written in blue ink.on the first end page. J. B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia & New York, 1960. Later printing of 1st edition. Black cloth; white text on spine only. Book condition: Very Good. No jacket. 8 1/2 x 5 ¾ in., 255 pages. Top edge is dyed yellow. Corners are bumped. Accompanied by a notarized statement from Boby Hook, to whom the book is inscribed, explaining his family's relationship to Harper Lee's and how the book came to be signed for him; he refers to the author as "Miss Nelle" (Nelle Harper Lee). Lee's classic book won the Pulitzer prize in 1961. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,500. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $780
Lot 417		London, Jack (1876-1916). American novelist and adventurer. Typed Letter Signed "Jack London," one page, 11 x 8½ in., Glen Ellen, Ca., Jan. 27, 1910. To the International Press Bureau: "Your letter…inquiring about the serial rights of MARTIN EDEN has been forwarded…to me. The control of serial rights in MARTIN EDEN is vested in me. However, The Macmillan Company has already published the book, so it will have some say-so in the matter….address yourself directly to Mr. George P. Brett, President of the Macmillan Company….Any arrangement you may come to, which is satisfactory to him, will be satisfactory to me…." Normal folds and one staple mark, else fine. Estimated Value $900 - 1,000. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 418		Lowell, James Russell (1819-1891) Poet, critic, essayist, editor, and diplomat. Autograph Poem Signed ("J.R.L."), one page, 4 x 3½ in., Elmwood, Dec. 30, 1863. The 12- line poem begins "This is my picture Improved on by Rowse, The sole one my victor Allows in her house…." Matted with a closing and signature cut from a letter, "truly yours J.R. Lowell," 1½ x 2¼ in. and an image of Lowell, all framed to an overall size of 18½ x 10½ in. Fine. A COA from the late autograph dealer Charles Hamilton is on the verso. Estimated Value $100 - 150. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $129
Lot 419		Rice, Elmer (1892-1967) Nom de plume of Elmer Reizenstein. He was the author of many plays, including "Street Scene" (made into an opera with music by Kurt Weill and libretto by Langston Hughes) and "The Adding Machine." He won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. He was blacklisted during the McCarthy era. Four letters to "Peggy" (Margarite Tucker, feminist and political activist). Two ALSs "E.L.R." (1930) and "Love Elmer" (1944). Two TLSs "Elmer" (1932 and 1933)…"It is pretty difficult in our theatre to put over a play that attempts to be something more than just entertainment…." Rare in ALS. Fine. Estimated Value $150 - 300. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $90
Lot 420		Withdrawn	Unsold
Lot 421		Sade, Donatien, Marquis de (1740-1814) French aristocrat, author, and libertine; the word "sadism" derives from his name. Autograph Letter Signed "le Marquis de Sade," 3pp, in French, 6¼ x 3¼ in. (Vincennes, Paris) June 23, 1777. Written during his imprisonment (he spent 32 years of his life in prisons and insane asylums), to his wife, complaining that she has delayed forwarding a letter to him, and noting with ironic resignation that his mother-in-law has again tried to deprive him of his liberty by putting impossible conditions on his release. He assures his wife that he is not deceived by the subterfuges whch she and her mother are attempting to use against him and compares his wife to an executioner tormenting a victim. He compares himself to a puppet and refers to his wife as "the puppet's partner." Fine condition; closely written. Preserved in marbled wrappers within a slipcase, green leather spine and title label. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,500. Sotheby's, May 15 1997, Lot 71. Realized $1304. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $3,055
Lot 422		Shaw, George Bernard (1856-1950) Irish playwright and literary critic; the only person to win both the Nobel Prize for Literature (1925) and an Oscar (1938). Autograph Letter Signed with initials ("GBS"), on his printed postcard, 5½ x 3½ in., Ayot Saint Lawrence, Welwyn, Herts, Feb. 18, 1948. Responding to a request (present) to say something nice about Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, Shaw writes, "C-B was not up my street. I never met him, and have no excuse for pretending to write about him." Fine. Matted with a photo and the letter Shaw is answering and framed to an overall size of 16½ x 15¼". Estimated Value $300 - 400. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 423		Southey, Robert and Leon Uris. Autograph Quotation Signed "Robert Southey, Kerwick 28th March, 1837," 2¾ x 4½ in. The 1813 Poet Laureate quotes Ecclesiastes 23:22. With a typed page signed "Leon Uris" quoting from his novel Exodus, 8 x 6 in. Very fine. Estimated Value $100 - 300. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 424		Steinbeck, John (1902-1968) American novelist whose books gave expression to the social and economic tensions of the time. He won the Pulitzer Prize for The Grapes of Wrath (1939) and the Nobel Prize for literature in 1962. Autograph Letter Signed "John Steinbeck," one page, 8½ x 5½ in., n.p. (but Monte Sereno, Ca.), Dec. 17, n.y. (mid 1930s). To his publisher Robert O. Ballou about the death of Tillie Eulenspiegel, Steinbeck's Airedale, who was Charlie's predecessor: "…we were subjected to a maddening tragedy. For it developed that Tillie [who is said to have eaten a first draft of Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men] had been given ground glass. It took her two weeks to die of it….It made us very sad and quite tired….No chance of knowing who did it of course as I might get a little national publicity for an ax murder. I don't know whether you celebrate Christmas. If you do I hope it's a good one. We shot Santa Claus and are having him for dinner. His skin is pretty good too if the hair doesn't slip. By the way (not by the way at all of course) Mrs. O….said a check would be forthcoming on the first of December….These are my Christmas cards. Have you heard of the one C. de Mille sent last year? Beautiful reproductions of da Vinci's Last Supper with the Christus head cut out and the de Mille head stuck in….Happy New Year." Fine. Estimated Value $3,000 - 4,000. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 425		Steinbeck, John (1902-1968) American novelist, playwright, and essayist. Typed Letter Signed "John Steinbeck" on personal stationery, one page, 7¾ x 6 in., New York, Dec. 5, 1962. After winning the 1962 Nobel Prize for Literature, Steinbeck responds to congratulations from a young man: In full: "Thank you very much for writing me. I was especially pleased to receive your congratulations. At sixteen years of age, you are a little too young to ponder the misery and cruelty that exists in the world. At your age, one should be filled with the magic and wonder and beauty of the world, not its ugliness. You'll have plenty of time to worry about those things when you are twice sixteen or even three times. I sincerely hope you someday achieve your goal to be a writer." Signed in blue ink and triple matted with an 11½ x 8¾ in. photo of Steinbeck and a biographical plaque and framed to an overall size of 21 x 29 in. A few nicks to wooden frame but the letter is very fine. Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,000. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,180
Lot 426		Twain, Mark (1835-1910) Nom de plume of humorist and author Samuel Langhorne Clemens. Autograph Manuscript Signed "Mark Twain," one page, Jan. 23, n.y. [c. mid 1880s]. Being the conclusion (page 4) of an article. Fine content. "shall have been established by using it in collecting a debt owed by the United States.This being merely a domestic measure with no improper intent, no purpose hostile to Christian Civilization, no office indeed, but to keep order & tranquility in our back yard, preserve our self-respect & discourage chartered piracy in our waters [in our waters is crossed out] & opera bouffe exhibitions of …dangerous old-world militarism in our waters, would meet with a ready & cordial welcome & acceptance at the hands of the honorable the Managers & Directors of the International Law Factory, I am sure." Some edge problems were stabilized by silking the verso. Boldly penned and signed with a paraph. Twain is probably referring to literary piracy, which was an on-going problem. He, along with Louisa May Alcott and other authors, wrote letters to various journals requesting international copyright. Canada was a particular problem for Twain, to the extent that, to circumvent piracy, he would establish temporary residency in Canada on the date one of his works was published. The Berne Convention (1886) had helped simplify copyright issues among European nations, but the U.S. continued to sanction literary piracy. The International Copyright Act (the Chace Act) of 1891, which was passed on March 3, 1891, was the first U.S. congressional act to extend limited protection to foreign copyright holders from select nations. In 1896, the American Congress joined the international copyright union, after petitions (beginning as early as 1837) directed at it by British novelists such as Benjamin Disraeli, and Charles Dickens were joined by pleas from Twain and other American writers. Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,500. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 427		Twain, Mark - Samuel Langhorne Clemens. Autograph Letter Signed with a double signature, "Samuel L. Clemens / Mark Twain," 1 page, 7 x 4½ in., Buffalo, Feb 14, n.y. A charming letter with a play on his pen name, to an unknown correspondent. In full: "Dear Sir: I am only too proud of the chance to help, with this the only Valentine I venture to write this day--for although I am twain in my own person I am only half a person in my matrimonial form, & sometimes my wife shows that she is so much better & nobler than I am, that I seriously question if I am really any more than about a quarter!" Somewhat faded, a few ink smears, and mounting remnants on verso. Rare content. Estimated Value $3,500 - 4,500. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 428		Wallace, Lewis "Lew" (1827-1905). Union general in the Civil War, territorial governor of New Mexico, U.S. Minister to the Ottoman Empire, and author best remembered for his historical novel, Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ. Autographed card, "Very respectfully/Lew. Wallace/(1894)," 2 x 4½ in., taped to the front flyleaf of Volume I of his first novel and first illustrated edition of The Fair God, a Tale of the Conquest of Mexico. Boston: Houghton Mifflin and Company, 1898. Two volumes, 8¼ x5½ in., illustrated handsomely in Art Nouveau by Eric Pape (1870-1938) with 41 black and white and sepia plates with title-printed tissue protectors bound in over the full page illustrations; red, black, and white ornate first letters of each chapter as part of the nearly 300 color illustrations. Half blue morocco over blue cloth boards, spine tooled and lettered in gilt, five raised bands. Former bookseller�s pencil notes on first blank page. A fine set enhanced by Wallace�s autograph. (In the first volume is an insert from Barnaby Rudge Booksellers -ABAA states that there were only 500 copies of this first illustrated edition and this bookseller was offering the set for $850.). Estimated Value $300 - 500. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold