Six Centuries of Books and Manuscripts from Librairie Thomas-Scheler
- by Michael Stillman
The streets of Timbuktu were not paved with gold.
René Caillié was the unlikeliest of explorers. He was born of the lowest class in society, and set out on his journeys without the large caravans to which more fortunate explorers had access. He traveled alone or with a companion. A major prize was offered by the French Geographic Society for the first person who traveled to Timbuktu and returned alive. In typical low-budget fashion, Caillié learned the language and customs of the Arabs, converted to Islam, and used these connections to have others lead him to the mysterious city. While not the first European to view Timbuktu, he was the first to return alive to tell its tale. What he told was disappointing but the truth – Timbuktu was a poor, unimportant city, not a place of untold wealth as many believed. Item 19 is Caillié's account, Journald'unvoyageàTemboctouetàJenné,dansl'Afriquecentrale, published in 1830. €10,000 (US $13,081).
Here is an account of another French traveler's trip to Africa, though this one is subject to much doubt: VoyageauCongoetdansl’intérieurdel’Afriqueéquinoxiale.Jean Baptiste Douville traveled to the Congo and interior Africa from 1828-1830, or so he said, publishing his book in 1832. It is likely that he was inspired by Caillié and perhaps wanted to share in his glory. He was welcomed on his return by the French Geographic Society which readily accepted his version of events. However, further investigation brought Douville's claims under grave doubt. He responded in writing that his accounts were accurate, and time has shown great accuracy in most of what he wrote. However, it is also likely that he obtained much of this information from unpublished Portuguese manuscripts to which he had access. Douville left France for South America under a cloud and reportedly was murdered there in 1837. Item 32. €6,500 (US $8,491).
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
