Auction Preview: Valuable Books and Manuscripts at Christie’s, London, July 10
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What: Valuable Books and ManuscriptsWhere: Christie’s, 8 King Street, St. James’s, LondonWhen: July 10, 1pmPublic Viewing: July 6, 12pm - 5pm, July 7, 12pm - 5pm, July 8, 9am - 4:30pm, July 8, 6pm - 8:30pm, July 9, 9am - 8pmTop Lots at the Sale:—Auction Preview: Valuable Books and Manuscripts at Christie’s, London, July 10
What: Valuable Books and ManuscriptsWhere: Christie’s, 8 King Street, St. James’s, LondonWhen: July 10, 1pmPublic Viewing: July 6, 12pm - 5pm, July 7, 12pm - 5pm, July 8, 9am - 4:30pm, July 8, 6pm - 8:30pm, July 9, 9am - 8pmTop Lots at the Sale:— “De revolutionibus orbium coelestium, libri V. Nuremberg: Johann Petreius, 1543.” Copernicus, Nicolaus (1473-1543). First edition of the most important scientific publication of the 16th-century, a ‘landmark in human thought’ (PMM). De revolutionibus placed for the first time the sun at the center of the universe and described the earth’s diurnal rotation and its annual rotation around the sun. Featured in lot 599. Estimate: GBP 500,000 – GBP 700,000 (USD 631,000 – USD 883,400)— “Grooten Atlas [Atlas Major]. Amsterdam: Johannes Blaeu, 1664.” Blaeu, Willem (1571-1638) and Jan Blaeu (1596-1673). A particularly fine copy of the most famous atlas in the history of printed maps. Since its publication, the Blaeu Atlas Major has remained, with every justification — the most magnificent work of its kind ever produced. Featured in lot 623. Estimate: GBP 450,000 – GBP 650,000 (USD 567,900 – USD 820,300)— “Dili Tu [Geographic Map of China] and Tianwen tu [A Map of the Stars]. [N.p., n.d., but paper date tested to c.1493-1650].” Huang Shang (fl.1190s) – Wang Zhiyuan (fl. 1240s). Possibly the oldest Chinese-printed terrestrial map of China to survive, complete with its striking companion star map. Featured in lot 618. Estimate: GBP 400,000 – GBP 600,000 (USD 504,800 – USD 757,200)— “Petites Heures of Charles VIII, use of Paris, in Latin, illuminated manuscript on vellum [Paris, 1490s].” Owned by a King: an exquisite Hours illuminated by the Master of the Chronique Scandaleuse. 73 x 47mm. Featured in lot 527. Estimate: GBP 300,000 – GBP 500,000 (USD 378,600 – USD 631,000)— “Discours de la methode pour bien conduire sa raison, et chercher la verite dans les sciences. Plus la dioptrique. Les meteores. Et la geometrie. Leiden: Jan Maire, 1637.” Descartes, Rene (1596-1650). First edition of the author’s first published work, the foundation of all modern scientific and philosophic thought. Featured in lot 640. Estimate: GBP 80,000 – GBP 120,000 (USD 100,960 – USD 151,440)— “Narrative of the Surveying Voyages of His Majesty’s Ships Adventure and Beagle. London: Henry Colburn, 1839.” Darwin, Charles Robert (1809-1882) —Fitzroy, Robert (1805-1865, editor). First edition of Darwin’s first published book, one of the finest examples of scientific autobiography ever published; an extraordinary presentation copy, inscribed by the Commander of the Beagle, connecting two exceptional Victorians. Featured in lot 671. Estimate: GBP 60,000 – GBP 90,000 (USD 75,720 – USD 113,580)— “Theatrum orbis terrarum – Parergon. – Nomenclator ptolemaicus. [Antwerp: Plantin Press,] 1595.” Ortelius, Abraham (1527-1598). A fine, coloured copy of the Theatrum in a contemporary binding. Only the Nomenclator of the 1595 edition is dated, printed by Plantin who took over the publication of Ortelius’ landmark atlas in 1579. Featured in lot 620. Estimate: GBP 50,000 – GBP 80,000 (USD 63,100 – USD 100,960)For details, visit: https://www.christies.comClick on the slideshow for the highlights of the salehttps://www.blouinartinfo.comFounder: Louise Blouin Read more