Rare Book Monthly

Book Catalogue Reviews - September - 2008 Issue

Artistic and Fine Books from Kelmscott Bookshop Rare Books

Robert Louis Stevenson's drawing of his wife Fanny and her children.

Robert Louis Stevenson's drawing of his wife Fanny and her children.


Item 69 is a testament to the fact that tastes change. This book ran to nearly 50 editions around the turn of the century, and its author was extremely popular. Today, few people have ever heard of Hall Caine, and fewer yet have read The Deemster. A Romance. Offered is a scarce 1887 first edition of this once very popular book, a long (three-volume) novel concerning the law on the Isle of Man (a "deemster" is a judge on that isle). $500.

For those interested in American art, here is a masterpiece: William Gerdts' Art Across America: Two Centuries of Regional Painting. This is also a three-volume work, a thorough exploration of American painting from 1710-1920. It covers 800 artists and contains almost 1,000 illustrations. What is remarkable about this state-by-state look is that it covers many artists from the back-country whose locations left them virtually unknown. It also describes many women whose gender made it difficult to achieve any recognition. Item 48, published in 1990. $500.

Item 49 is a rare original sketch by an artist known more for his writing than his drawing. It is a sketch by Robert Louis Stevenson of his wife, Fanny, and her two children. Stevenson had met Fanny Osbourne, then married, in France in 1876, and later pursued her as she moved to California. Though ten years older than he, Stevenson was persistent in his love, which paid off after she became divorced. Stevenson was close to death by the time he reached San Francisco, but Fanny nursed him back to health. Though Stevenson was never very healthy, and died at the age of 44, Fanny's care kept him around long enough to write his great and lasting works. $4,000.

Kelmscott Bookshop Rare Books may be reached at 410-235-6810 or info@kelmscottbookshop.com. Their website is www.kelmscottbookshop.com.

Rare Book Monthly

  • 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
  • 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.
  • RareBookBuyer.com
    We Buy Librairies & Rare Books Nationwide
    RareBookBuyer.com
    Specialized in Purchasing
    Institutional Collections & Deacccessioned Books
    RareBookBuyer.com
    We Buy Librairies & Rare Books Nationwide
    RareBookBuyer.com
    Specialized in Purchasing
    Institutional Collections & Deacccessioned Books
    RareBookBuyer.com
    We Buy Librairies & Rare Books Nationwide
    RareBookBuyer.com
    Specialized in Purchasing
    Institutional Collections & Deacccessioned Books
    RareBookBuyer.com
    We Buy Librairies & Rare Books Nationwide
    RareBookBuyer.com
    Specialized in Purchasing
    Institutional Collections & Deacccessioned Books
    RareBookBuyer.com
    We Buy Librairies & Rare Books Nationwide

Review Search

Archived Reviews

Ask Questions