Tarzan, Early Astronomy, and Bible Archive: The Week in Rare Books
An unusual collection of three English Bibles that once belonged to the Whytehead family
This weekly auction result is provided by Spencer W Stuart, an independent collections advisor specializing in rare books and manuscripts as well as fine photography and prints. He is also the author of Contemporary Issues in Rare Books & Manuscript Collecting and host of the monthly webinar Collecting Insights.
These are the three lots that stuck out this week because of either uniqueness or exceeding expectations:
Multi-Generational Bible Archive: A highly unusual collection of three English Bibles, having belonged to the Whytehead family of Yorkshire's North and East Ridings comprising The Bishops' (1573 edition), a Geneva (1603 edition) and a King James (1619 edition). All three have very detailed manuscript annotations throughout, assuredly in the hand of the Rev. William Whytehead (1729-1817) including notes on biblical and church history. Sold at Gorringes for £4,600 following an estimate of £1,200-£1,500.
Early English Astronomy: The Castle of Knowledge by Robert Recorde, 1556 rare first edition of the earliest major English astronomical treatise, which is one of the earliest English books written completely in the vernacular to have been printed in Roman type. Sold at Forum Auctions for £7,000 following an estimate of £600-£800.
Tarzan with Rosicrucian Association: First edition of Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs (Chicago, A.C. McClurg & Co, 1914) with the bookplate of George Winslow Plummer, cofounder of the Societas Rosicruciana in America and author of noted books on Rosicrucianism. Sold for $3,437.50 at PBA Galleries following an estimate of $500-$800.
