The Rambler in North America...by Charles Joseph Latrobe, New York: Published by Harpers and Brothers, 1835.
Next I want to show you a diagram that graphically expresses my view of collecting books in the Americana and European-Americana fields. If you can remember this picture you will do fine in collecting in this field. The horizontal line expresses the value of a copy of a single book. Lets call it The Rambler in North America, by Charles Joseph Latrobe. This is the first American edition, printed in New York in two volumes in 1835. The true first edition was published in London the same year. The first American edition, in superb condition, is probably worth about $800. At the high upper end, the asking price might exceed $1,000, but at that level it needs to be quite exceptional. This title passes for common in the world of rare books, which simply means there are more copies around than there are libraries, collectors and dealers who want it. For comparison, the first edition of Lewis and Clarke is, I suspect, almost as common but is not so reasonably priced. The difference is that the first edition of Lewis and Clark, printed in 1814 in Philadelphia, is an icon. One thousand five hundred copies were printed and 1,473 survived the binding experience. The two volumes of Lewis and Clark herald the opening of the west and its excellent map shows the way. A less than perfect copy commands a $120,000 asking price on the web. By comparison, at $1,500 the heirs of Charles Latrobe will toast their sire and hope the buyers judgment is vindicated by the market in the years ahead.
Why such a difference? Most books are not iconic. They are good and solid and appropriate for a serious collector but they do not bring one’s blood to a boil, diminish all vestiges of sanity or leave one gasping in uncertainty as the book and check exchange hands. The Lewis and Clark will always find a market. The Latrobe needs to be part of a focused collection to have power. It is much more reasonable in part because it is much more of a challenge. Many accounts of the emerging United States were published in the 1810 to 1850 period. Collections that focus on this period will always want a copy. And of course there are many other ways to find a place for Latrobe in your collection whether you collect African American history, state history or have an interest in Native Americans. For this example I use Latrobe.
History of the Expedition Under the Command
of Captain's Lewis and Clark....by Paul Allen,
Esquire, Philadelphia: Published by Bradford and
Inskeep, 1814
High Bids Win Rare Books, Catalogs, Magazines and Machine Manuals December 24 to January 9
High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: Ellis Smith Prints unsigned. 20” by 16”.
High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: United typothetae of America presidents. Pictures of 37 UTA presidents 46th annual convention United typothetae of America Cincinnati 1932.
High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec signed Paper Impressionism Art Prints. MayMilton 9 1/2” by 13” Reine de Joie 9 1/2” by 13”.
High Bids Win Rare Books, Catalogs, Magazines and Machine Manuals December 24 to January 9
High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: Aberle’ Ballet editions. 108th triumph, American season spring and summer 1944.
High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: Puss ‘n Boots. 1994 Charles Perrult All four are signed by Andreas Deja
High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: Specimen book of type faces. Job composition department, Philadelphia gazette publishing company .
High Bids Win Rare Books, Catalogs, Magazines and Machine Manuals December 24 to January 9
High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: An exhibit of printed books, Bridwell library.
High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur Court By Mark Twain 1889.
High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: 1963 Philadelphia Eagles official program.
High Bids Win Rare Books, Catalogs, Magazines and Machine Manuals December 24 to January 9
High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: 8 - Esquire the magazine for men 1954.
High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: The American printer, July 1910.
High Bids Win, Dec. 24 – Jan. 9: Leaves of grass 1855 by Walt Whitman.
Sotheby's Fine Books, Manuscripts & More Available for Immediate Purchase
Sotheby’s: William Shakespeare. The Poems and Sonnets of William Shakespeare, 1960. 7,210 USD
Sotheby’s: Charles Dickens. A Christmas Carol, First Edition, 1843. 17,500 USD
Sotheby’s: William Golding. Lord of the Flies, First Edition, 1954. 5,400 USD
Sotheby's Fine Books, Manuscripts & More Available for Immediate Purchase
Sotheby’s: Lewis Carroll. Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There, Inscribed First Edition, 1872. 25,000 USD
Sotheby’s: J.R.R. Tolkien. The Hobbit, First Edition, 1937. 12,000 USD
Sotheby’s: John Milton. Paradise Lost, 1759. 5,400 USD
History of the Expedition Under the Command
of Captain's Lewis and Clark....by Paul Allen,
Esquire, Philadelphia: Published by Bradford and
Inskeep, 1814 
