Autograph letter signed to Miss Russell (Mary Howland Russell). Concord, April 17, 1855

Emerson sends thanks for Russell’s gifts of $100 each for his daughter Ellen and his aunt’s brother, George Partridge Bradford. “I wish you all the joy that your two magnificent presents sent through Lidian’s hands can reflect. The children have conceived of you as some beatified person walking softly and invisibly to serve clouds of clients.”

$1,300

Typed letter signed to Anthony Peek, manager of the Theatre Royal Haymarket.. London, July 24, 1985

Harold Pinter complains about policies at Theatre Royal Haymarket.

$1,250

Good-Bye My Fancy. 2d Annex to Leaves of Grass. Good-Bye My Fancy. 2d Annex to Leaves of Grass, 1891

FIRST EDITION. This form of Good-Bye My Fancy is not in Myerson.

$1,200

The Works. With Notes Critical and Explanatory and a Biographical Memoir by W. Gifford Esq. London: for Nicol et al, 1816

Gifford’s edition of Jonson’s works played an important role in the Jonson revival.

$900

Chinese Novels, Translated from the Originals; to which are added Proverbs and Moral Maxims. London: John Murray, 1822

FIRST EDITION. This volume contains introductory “Observations on the Language and Literature of China” followed by “The Shadow in the Water,” “The Twin Sisters,” “The Three Dedicated Chambers,” and a selection of Chinese proverbs.

$900

Two book auction catalogues: (DENT, JOHN.) Catalogue of the Splendid, Curious, and Extensive Library of the Late John Dent, Esq. … sold by auction by Mr. Evans (1827). [bound with] (WILLIAMS, THEODORE.) A Catalogue of the Splendid and Valuable Library of the Rev. Theodore Williams … sold by auction, by Messrs. Stewart, Wheatley, and Adlard (1827). London: Evans [and Stewart, Wheatley, and Adlard], 1827

These catalogues from the golden age of English book collecting are filled with landmark early printed books, books printed on vellum, illuminated manuscripts, and more. The Dent library contained “numerous volumes of the greatest beauty, several illuminated manuscripts, … other books printed on vellum” (De Ricci, English Collectors of Books and Manuscripts). Both auction catalogues are fully priced in manuscript with prices realized and buyer names.

$900

The Works. With Notes Critical and Explanatory and a Biographical Memoir by W. Gifford Esq. With Introduction and Appendices by Lieut.-Col. F. Cunningham. London: Bickers, 1875

Gifford’s edition of Jonson’s works played an important role in the Jonson revival.

$900

Poems … selected and edited by William Michael Rossetti. London: John Camden Hotten, 1868

FIRST ENGLISH EDITION of Whitman’s poems.

$850

Specimen Days & Collect. Philadelphia: David McKay, 1882-'83

FIRST EDITION, second printing, first issue. Thomas Harned’s copy, with his bookplate. Whitman’s friend Harned was one of the poet’s literary executors, alog with Horace Traubel and Richard B. Bucke.

$800

The Importance of Being Earnest: Collection of 11 photographs of the Theatre Royal Haymarket production. Angus McBean, photographer, 1968

This West End revival of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest opened on February 8, 1968 and ran for 283 performances at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. The production starred Isabel Jeans, Daniel Massey, Helen Weir, and John Standing, among others.

$800