Nationalization of the Land — Letter to President Lincoln, unpaginated, ([Moscow?], c. 1930), 5 leaves, 251 x 170 mm. (9 7/8 x 6 13/16 in.), the first two leaves bearing reproductions, the first: 300 x 194mm. (11 3/4 x 7 5/8) folded into quarters, the second: 170 x 112 mm. (16 13/16 x 4 1/4) folded into two leaves. All housed in unstitched titled paper wraps, first leaf separate and balance bound together though independent of the outer wrap.
A highly unusual imprint offering a reproduction of Karl Marx’s petition to Abraham Lincoln, on behalf of the International Working Men’s Party, composed in November 1864 and presented to Charles Francis Adams, the American Ambassador to the Court of St. James in January 1865. The balance of the work concerns Marx’s 3 December 1869 memorandum to English philosopher Robert Applegarth advocating his reasons for the abolition of private property. The volume includes a four page color reproduction of Marx’s draft memorandum to Applegarth as well as a five page printed transcript of the same.
The origin of this rare publication is murky. We have been able to source only two extant copies of this imprint one at the University of Kansas and the other at the Staatsbibliothek in Berlin (OCLC 56194628). The copy owned by Kansas is cataloged as possibly printed in the United States. However, the example in Berlin is cataloged suggesting a Soviet origin c. 1930. (The presence of stamps from the Marx-Engels-Lenin Institute in Moscow, visible in the reproduction of Marx’s draft letter to Applegarth is likely what informed this supposition).
Corner creases and small tear to rear cover, light soiling to front cover, tear at bottom os spine neatly repaired, other light marginal wear, light toning, and some mild creases.
(EXA 5707) $1,200
(Geography) A hand-colored lithograph, “PICTORIAL VIEW OF THE WORLD 1846” (New York: H[umphrey]. Phelps, 1846) 762 x 563 mm. (30 x 22 1/4 in.). The broadside displays a map of the world, with denotations of various religions including “PROTESTANT…CATHOLIC… MAHOMETAN…GREEK CHURCH…PAGAN” as well as a list of “NATIONAL DEBTS OF EUROPE” (with England topping the list at $6.5 billion). The chart also includes population statistics, lengths of various world rivers, the heights of the tallest mountains, a “CHRONOLGY OF THE WORLD” which starts at 4004 B.C. being “Creation“, Noah’s birthday (2948 B.C.), and some other spurious “facts” including the creation of gunpowder in Cologne in 1330 (wrong!) and the first use of hats in Paris in 1456 (really?). More fun misinformation both confuses and amazes!
Marginal wear, especially toward bottom including a few minor chips and tears, light foxing, else very good.
(EXA 5353) $950
(Cephas Grier Childs) (1793-1871) Engraver and lithographer listed in the Phildelphia directory from 1818 through 1845. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and in 1822 was instrumental in forming the Washington Grays, serving as its Captain for some time. To the best of our knowledge, Childs’ partnership with J.W. Carpenter was limited to 1822.* In 1845, Childs abandoned engraving for newspaper work, becoming the editor of the Commercial Herald and the North American before finally publishing his own journal, the Philadelphia Commercial List.
Engraving, 111 x 174 mm. (4 1/8 x 6 7/8 in.), c. 1822, an advertisement for The City Hotel, the first hotel in Savannah, Georgia, built in 1821 by Charleston native Elazer Early, operated by proprietor Oran Byrd. The text on the recto announces that, “This elegant establishment is entirely NEW with all its Furniture and other arrangements is in the center of Business and contiguous to the BANKS & c— The Post Office is attached to the Premises— all the Stages start from the door.” In the border: “Mr. BYRD likewise keeps the CITY HOTEL, 75 East Bay, CHARLESTON, S.C.” Three businesses are advertised on the verso including; R. Newcomb, Choice Wines & C, J. Shelman, Mansion House (both offering private rooms for families),and Joseph Trucheleet, a confectioner. This ad was printed in Shaw’s United States Directory of 1823. The hotel hosted many notable guests and also operated as Savannah’s post office and a bank. It closed in 1864, immediately preceding General Sherman’s invasion of the city. The building survived to become a warehouse, a general storage facility and an office supply store before it was purchased and reopened as the Moon River Brewing Company in 1999. The building is known as a “hot spot” of paranormal activity and draws considerable tourism for its ghost lore.
Slight edge wear, very minor marginal soiling, light, even toning, overall fine condition.
(EXA 4824) $400
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* Classical Savannah: Fine & Decorative Arts, 1800-1840, by Page Talbott. Published by the Telfair Museum of Art, Savannah, 1995 (photo of ad was published courtesy Winterthur Library: Printed Book and Periodical collection).
(1876 Philadelphia Centennial) Lithograph, “BIRDS EYE VIEW OF THE CENTENNIAL BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS” (Philadelphia: F. Bourquin, 1876) 510 x 686 mm. (20 x 27 in.). Published by The National Publishing Company of Philadelphia, this attractive lithograph provides a good view of the Centennial fairgrounds in Fairmount Park with the dimensions of each pavilion (in length and width) noted above the title.
Several tears repaired on verso, creases, soiling as shown, else very good condition overall.
(EXA 5352) $375
(1876 Centennial) Lithograph, “IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE ONE HUNDRETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE UNITED STATES…” (Portland, Me.: George Stinson & Co., 1876) 755 x 585 mm. ( 19 3/4 x 23 in.).
A dramatic broadside issued to commemorate the 1876 celebration of American independence, with views of the Centennial fair grounds in Philadelphia above a large depiction of Columbia, who is surrounded by portraits of all the Presidents from Washington to Grant. Beneath the eagle are six Revolutionary War military greats: Israel Putnam, Philip Schuyler, Horatio Gates, Nathanael Greene, Benjamin Lincoln and John Sullivan.
Moderate dampstains with some foxing and toning, else very good condition overall. Will be shipped rolled.
(EXA 5354) $450
(Forest Fire Prevention) Broadside, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, “The Good Earth? FOREST FIRES DESTROY lives • homes • wild life • timber • crops” ([Washington]: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1948) 463 x 327 (18 1/4 x 12 7/8 in.).
A wonderfully colorful and evocative public service advertisement. (Cataloged as US 6122 in Hoover Institution Political Poster Database).
Extremely minor marginal ear, a few light creases at corners, else very fine.
(EXA 5362) $125
(Abraham Lincoln) An excellent hand-colored lithograph of a seated Abraham Lincoln, 315 x 230 mm. (13 x 9 in.) (sight) by E. B. E. C. Kellogg of Hartford, Connecticut (with additional credit at lower right: “Geo. Whiting, 87 Fulton St., New York”). Tastefully matted and framed.
Moderate even toning, else very good. Not examined out of frame.
(EXA 5435) $600
(Emancipation Proclamation) FREEDOM TO THE SLAVES Proclaimed January 1st 1863, by ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the United States. ‘Proclaim liberty throughout All the land unto All the inhabitants thereof’ ___ LEV XXV. ’10. Hand-colored lithograph Published by Currier & Ives, 152 Nassau St., New York. 320 x 200 mm., 12 3/4 x 8 3/4 in, (sight).
An unusual hand-colored example of this iconic Currier & Ives print.
Overall very clean and bright. Matted and framed with gilt trim. Not examined out of frame.
(EXA 5436) $750
(John HANCOCK) (1737 – 1793) Mezzotint engraving, 14 x 9 1/2 in. (sight) titled, “The Honble. John Hancock. of BOSTON in NEW-ENGLAND; PRESIDENT of the AMERICAN CONGRESS”. Done form an Original Picture Painted by Littleford. London, Published as the Act directs 25 Octor. 1775. by C. Shepherd.
A rare portrait of Hancock (Russell ENA III, 6), seldom encountered in the market. We have only encountered one other example of this print appearing at auction in
the past several decades.
Overall very fine condition. Matted and framed.
(EXA 4061) $3,250
(Abraham LINCOLN) A spectacular proof copy of John Sartain’s engraving of E. D. Merchant’s portrait, “ABRAHAM LINCOLN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES” accomplished “at the White House in 1863, and now in the Possession of the Union League of Philadelphia.” (Philadelphia: Bradley & Co. Publishers, 1864), 13 x 10 in. on a 19 1/2 x 15 in. sheet. With full facsimile signature in titling below.
Some surface abrasions, else very good with superb contrast and detail.
(EXA 3896) $750
