A world of wonders at Bonhams Books and Manuscripts sale
17 March 2022 From Shelley to Sendak, James Boswell to James Bond, Bonhams Fine Books and Manuscripts sale has something to suit every taste.
Estimated at £1000-2000 is this original collage of a standing bear by children’s book illustrator Eric Carle (1929-2021), best known for the Very Hungry Caterpillar. It comes from the collection of William Noce, who gave it to the vendor. View the catalogue entry here.
Taking place on March 23 at the London, Knightsbridge, auction house and on the-saleroom.com, the sale comprises more than 130 lots ranging in estimate from £200-£80,000. It includes a number of familiar favourites – first edition of Harry Potter and The Hobbit, early photography and Andy Warhol sketches – as well as some equally appealing lots a little off the beaten track.
Here we take a look at some of the most tempting offerings.
Yamanaka & Co liquidation catalogues
The first lot of the auction is the sales catalogues for the entire stock of the New York Yamanaka & Co stores with additions from the Chicago store from 1944. Yamanaka & Co were leading Asian art dealers in New York and one of the main sources of the Met Museum’s early Asian art collection. The seizure and enforced liquidation of the stock represented in these catalogues was part of a programme of closures of Japanese-American businesses during World War II. This set of volumes is offered with an estimate of £600-800. View the catalogue entry here.
Eric Carle collage
Estimated at £1000-2000 is this original collage of a standing bear by children’s book illustrator Eric Carle (1929-2021), best known for the Very Hungry Caterpillar. It comes from the collection of William Noce, who gave it to the vendor. View the catalogue entry here.
Japanese Antarctic expedition
The rediscovery of the Endurance might be gripping headlines this month, but the ‘Heroic’ age of exploration saw many other countries travelling to Earth’s extremities. This volume is Keiichi Tada’s record of the Japanese Antarctic expedition of 1910-12. It includes eight photographic plates as well as one colour plate after a watercolour by Tada, numerous illustrations and 10 pages of advertisements. Tada acted as secretary and assistant naturalist during the Shirase-led expedition. He wrote two books immediately after returning and is said to have jumped ship upon the return to Japan in order to rush his accounts of the expedition to the press. It is estimate at £700-900. View the catalogue entry here.
Oliver Cromwell declaration
This broadside declaration issued by Oliver Cromwell following his dissolving of the Rump Parliament is expected to fetch £400-600. Printed in London 1653 by William Du-Gard it includes an ink inscription in a 17th century hand saying: 'These & such like being a game [?held] captive in ye bowls of iniquitie'. View the catalogue entry here.