George Fox: a lifelong affair with the printed word
- by Bruce E. McKinney
George, second from left, at the Book Club
George Fox, who recently passed away, was an engaging man born with a serious case of bibliomania. He liked the printed word, be it a book or ephemera and organized his life around involvement with and pursuit of examples of the craft. His involvement was life-long and for evidence we have only to look to the date he joined the Book Club of California: 1981. This suggests he was already deeply in the throes of collecting passion by age 43 after which all photographs of him show a broad smile. In time, he would climb the steps of authority to become President of the Book Club while amassing a stellar resume that included memberships in other book, print and printing groups: the Roxburghe Club, The Ephemera Society, the American Antiquarian Society, and the Historical Print Collectors Society.
For the past twenty years, he was a rainmaker at PBA.
At some point he realized that alcohol was a necessary enhancement and thereafter found a way to appreciate its power without succumbing to its risks. I recall a meeting of the Roxburghe some ten years ago when, the meeting over, he and Jeffrey Thomas, ran from table to table to secure any unpoured wine which they then took back to the head table to continue to further lubricate the evening. In that moment he and Jeffrey evinced that rare pleasure and shared passion that revelry only occasionally begets. He was a happy man who made the people around him smile.
He enjoyed his wine and Tanqueray Gin martinis with two olives but much more the company of other bibliophiles. He will be missed. The world is a better place for his having been a part of it.
A memorial remembrance will be held on Sunday, December 10, 5-7:30pm at Moraga Hall in the Officer’s Club in the Presidio. All are welcome.
Gros & Delettrez, June 12: LETTRE ENCYCLIQUE, manuscrit XIXe siècle
Gros & Delettrez, June 12: NOUVEAU TESTAMENT, Amsterdam 1668, reliure arménienne
Doyle The Collection of Mary Tyler Moore June 4, 2025
DOYLE: Peter Max, Portrait of Mary Tyler Moore (Versions 1,2, 5, 6), 2001. Estimate $10,000-15,000
DOYLE: The iconic screen-used wall-mounted "M" from The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Estimate $5,000-8,000
DOYLE: The Mary Tyler Moore Show by Al Hirschfeld. Estimate $4,000-6,000
Doyle The Collection of Mary Tyler Moore June 4, 2025
DOYLE: Annie Leibovitz presents Mary Tyler Moore and Dick Van Dyke for Vanity Fair. Estimate $4,000-6,000
DOYLE: Al Hirschfeld presents Mary Tyler Moore and Dick Van Dyke in the CBS Wednesday Night Lineup. Estimate $4,000-6,000
DOYLE: Richard McKenzie, Portrait of Mary Tyler Moore. Estimate $1,000-2,000
Doyle The Collection of Mary Tyler Moore June 4, 2025
DOYLE: Three Original Bill Hargate Costume Designs for The Mary Tyler Moore Hour. Estimate $600-800
DOYLE: The famous Bonnie and Clyde "Wanted" broadside. Estimate $500-800
DOYLE: Ticket to the Final Episode of the Mary Tyler Moore Show Estimate $400-600
Sotheby's Bibliothèque Jacques Dauchez - Autour de Dubuffet
5-19 June
Sotheby’s, June 5-19: Bissière, Roger. Cantique à notre frère soleil de saint François. 1954. 1,000 - 1,500 EUR
Sotheby’s, June 5-19: Céline, Louis-Ferdinand. La vie & l’œuvre de Philippe Ignace Semmelweis. 1924. Rare édition originale, avec envoi. Joint : La Quinine en thérapeutique, 1925. 4,000 - 6,000 EUR
Sotheby’s, June 5-19: Céline, Louis-Ferdinand. Mort à crédit. 1936. Édition originale. Bel exemplaire sur Hollande. 2,500 - 3,500 EUR
Sotheby's Bibliothèque Jacques Dauchez - Autour de Dubuffet
5-19 June
Sotheby’s, June 5-19: Chillida, Eduardo ─ Emil Cioran. Face aux instants. 1985. Un des 100 exemplaires sur Arches. Eau-forte signée. 600 - 800 EUR
Sotheby’s, June 5-19: Dubuffet, Jean. Ler dla canpane. L’Art Brut, 1948. Édition originale. 3,000 - 5,000 EUR
Sotheby’s, June 5-19: Dubuffet, Jean. L'Herne Jean Dubuffet. 1973. Un des 100 exemplaires du tirage de luxe avec une sérigraphie originale en couleurs. 1,000 - 1,500 EUR
