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Description:
Letter tipped in to FE: Feb 10, 1845 ALS from Edward Harris to J. J. Audubon explaining circumstances as to why he may not be able to join the upcoming Missouri River Expedition. (Harris ultimately joined Audubon on both of his expeditions). Letter has a 2" closed tear from top of letter down to the top mailing fold (note: it was tipped into the book such that it was stressed upon opening the front cover), lower letter fold has been professionally reinforced with clear tape, chip to rear of folded paper where wax seal was removed, upper fold has 1" closed tear which may soon need reinforcement as well) Laid in HNS: May 24, 1909 from Ruthven Deane to Frank S. Daggett (1855-1920) giving him the books with his compliments.
Ruthven Deane is cited in the preface by M. Audubon ("Next to the memory of my father, Mr. Ruthven Deane has been the motive power which has caused this volume to be written"). Frank S. Daggett was an ornithologist, Director of the Museum of History, Science and Art in Los Angeles. Both volumes have F. S. Daggett bookplates.
Books have uncut bottom and fore edge with gilt on top edge. Minimal wear at head and base of spine, and light shelf wear on cover and back. Very nice copy of the books, however the letter from Harris is the star of these volumes.
Content: " My dear friend / Circumstances have occurred which render it somewhat doubtful whether it will be proper for me to leave home at this time. The nature of these circumstances are such as to require my presence in New York to investigate them, and as I do not wish to put them on paper, I will defer explanation until I see you some time next week - when perhaps my presence may serve to obviate the difficulty. In the mean time I thought it most prudent to advise you the moment I became aware of the difficulty, knowing that you would feel the disappointment more severely and the detriment to your prospects would be greater if my defection were to be suddenly announced to you at a later period. Rest assured my dear friend that I had fully entered into the Spirit of the enterprise and that I shall feel most keenly any disappointment that may occur. I considered myself as fully enlisted and had announced to the world my determination to join you, and if I am compelled to abandon my intention, and that without being able to explain my reasons to the world, I shall feel most deep mortified and vexed. With there views and feelings you may rest assured that I will make a great effort to overcome every obstacle. I will call at your office as soon as I reach New York (perhaps Tuesday or Wednesday) and go to Minnies Land as soon after as possible. With kind regard to all Your sincere friend Edward Harris"
Very Good.
Genre: Natural History
Price $2,250.00
Description:
Cassell Petter & Galpin, c. 1878. 5.5" x 8.5", Vol. 1: pp. cv, 2-408, Vol. 2: 495, Vol. 3: 540 in 3 Volumes with 103 colored plates. Very good set of these volumes, originally produced by Wilson in 1808-1814, updated by Bonaparte 1825-1833 which included over 100 previously undescribed species. Books are firm and well bound, lightly discernible fade a the top of some pages, dark red marbled end papers, similar marbled edges, faded but still attractive on top edge. All three volumes once had ex-libris book plates from a collector in Gross Pointe, Michigan, now non-expertly removed. Exterior is buffed along the edges, leather worn through at the corners, scuffing and spines, bindings in tact with no separation. The colored plates are intense and vivid.
Alexander Wilson (Jul 6, 1766 – Aug 23, 1813) was a Scottish-American poet, ornithologist, naturalist, and illustrator. Identified by George Ord as the "Father of American Ornithology", Wilson is regarded as the greatest American ornithologist prior to Audubon.
Very good. Half tan leather with tan leather corners, marbled paper over boards, titling on spine in gilt on red and black labels with 5 raised bands and gilt flourishes between bands.
"Few birds can form a more interesting acquisition to the fauna of any country than this really fine (Evening) grosbeck." (p 328). Very Good.
Genre: Natural History
Price $850.00
Description:
J. & W. Russell, 1819. Fifth Edition, Improved. 4” x 6.5”, pp. vii 10-336. Rebound with new leather spine and end new clean endpapers, pp. are toned with foxing, chipping on two free front, blank, original endpapers, ¼’ spot on front edge. Original, brown leather cover is buffed along edges, wear through at corners, scraping on front and back. Spine is in fine condition. Tipped in to second blank ffe is 9” x 2.25” cut from a partially printed land grant, SIGNED by Andrew Jackson in 1832. Additionally signed by Elijah Hayward, Commissioner of General Land Office. Jackson’s signature is 6.5” long, underlined, a bit faded, but quite readable. Half a dozen autographed words on the rear as well as a partial signature.
Andrew Jackson (Mar 15, 1767 – Jun 8, 1845) was the seventh President of the U.S. Prior to that he was the Governor of Tennessee, served in both houses of Congres and was a famed general who gained severe notoriety for his campaign against American Indians and the British. As president, Jackson sought to advance the rights of the "common man" against a "corrupt aristocracy" and to preserve the Union.
Elijah Hayward (Nov 17, 1786 – Sep 22, 1864) was a who represented his county in the Ohio House of Representatives, sat on the Ohio Supreme Court for a short time, and was the 5th Commissioner of the General Land Office from 1830 – 35.
“Volunteers were again invited by Gen. Jackson to resort to his standard under which they had always conquered. The whole civilized region of the Mississippi, was “wide awake.” The unbounded popularity of Gen. Jackson induced the militia not only with promptness, but with animation, to repair to the rendezvous, and “Tennessee Volunteers” under their gallant, accomplished and beloved leader were in motion again.” (p 158). Very Good.
Genre: Presidents, Politicians
Price $600.00
Description:
Apollo 11 "Kapton" Foil, TLS. np: nd. 8.5" x 11" Typed letter signed by the second man to walk on the moon. A piece of Kapton Foil (1/8" x 3/32") is embedded in the a blue strip horizontally across the center of the entire page. A nearly imperceptible wrinkle at top left corner. Letterhead is the Apollo 11 circular logo with gilt embossed eagle. signed "Buzz Aldrin" in black felt tip pen as the former pilot of the Apollo 11 lunar module. Accompanying this piece is a photocopy certificate of authenticity by North American Rockwell Apollo Launch Team commander Robert E. Miner.
Edwin Eugene "Buzz" Aldrin Jr. (Jan 20 1930) is an American engineer, former astronaut, and Command Pilot in the United States Air Force. As Lunar Module Pilot on the Apollo 11 mission, he and mission commander Neil Armstrong were the first two humans to land on the Moon. Armstrong first set foot on the Moon on July 21, 1969 and was followed 9 minutes after by Aldrin. One of his first missions was on Gemini 12 where he successfully proved that extravehicular activity (EVA) could be performed by astronauts, spending over 5 hours outside the craft, thus achieving the goals of the Gemini program and paving the way for the Apollo program. Very Fine.
An amazing, irreplaceable, item which is a piece of the first space ship and mission to land on the moon. Fine.
Genre: Space Exploration
Price $1,100.00