Item 81 is another book of photographs of American heroes, but this one is more disturbing. It is (Alexander) Gardiner's Photographic Sketch Book of the War, published in 1866. It contains 100 photographs selected from a collection of 3,000 Civil War scenes. As photography was not yet advanced to the point of being able to capture live action of the battle scenes, those battles are represented by after-the-fact shots, including those of dead soldiers lying on the ground (recent investigations indicate some scenes, including bodies, were rearranged before the photographs were taken). There are many others, including the one of Lincoln on this page. The pictures range from 1862-1865. This two-volume set was produced in just 200 copies and sold for the then unheard of price of $150. There were two issues of the book, 1865 and 1866, this being the 1866 issue. $200,000.
King James II was seriously displeased with pirates of the Caribbean, and in 1688, he determined he needed to do something. So, he issued a proclamation. Item 94 is headed By the King, a Proclamation for the more effectual reducing and suppressing of Pirates and Privateers in America. The King announces that to put an end to these “outrageous insolences,” he is sending a squadron under the command of Sir Robert Holmes, who can pardon those pirates who lay down their hooks, and pound the others into submission. Holmes, who was 66 years old and ill, never made it to the Caribbean and the command fell to another. $15,000.
Donald Heald Rare Books may be reached at 212-744-3505 or info@donaldheald.com. Their website is found at www.donaldheald.com.
