Prophets and Profits
Some volumes, for which the demand was indeed slender several generations ago, are today the real prizes of literature. Take for example the earlier pamphlets and books of Poe, which today are virtually beyond the means of the average collector. But this circumstance need not stifle collecting enthusiasm. There are other volumes, which, while no longer cheap in terms of dollars and cents, should nevertheless double or treble in value, or perhaps even better than that, as time goes on. Of course it would be foolish to promise this as a certainty, and we shall therefore content ourselves with pointing out some “first edition nuggets” that seem to have an excellent chance of “coming into the money” at some future period. But before doing so, let us whisper in your ear, the desirability—we might almost say the necessity—of only acquiring “firsts” in fine condition. Yes, we know they’re hard to get, and also that they cost more, but in our opinion, they’re well worth the difference. Auction records have demonstrated this time and time again. And now, let us “amble beyond our preamble,” and point out a few, present-day good buys.
Were we going into this branch of literary speculation, we should endeavor to acquire the first edition, first issue of Walt Whitman’s “Leaves of Grass,” and which was published in Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1855. No need to specify here all the necessary “points,” because, unless you are a 100% bibliophile, you will probably do better acquiring this treasure through some trustworthy and sophisticated rare book dealer. In his worthy volume, “The Romance of Great Books and Their Authors,” John T. Winterich quotes an assertion made by A. Edward Newton to the effect that the first edition of the “Leaves of Grass” will reach a higher figure than any other important book published in the nineteenth century. When this declaration was made in 1924, asserts Mr. Winterich, “Leaves of Grass” was selling in the market for $200 or less. Three years later a copy was auctioned for $800, and in the interval since, the price has risen, at auction and rare booksellers’ catalogues, to as high as $3,000, with no indication that a summit of value has been reached. The Chaucer Head Bookshop, of New York, recently offered a fine copy without foxing for $1,000.
Another book with a definite speculative future is the first issue of the first edition of Mark Twain’s first book, “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, and Other Sketches”, with the original blue cloth binding, and all the “points”. It was published in New York in 1867, and at the Effrem Zimbalist sale, held at the Parke-Bernet Galleries on Nov. 15, an immaculate copy brought $610. Beadle, the daddy of lurid American literature on a large scale, had previously published in No. 3 of his “Dime Book of Fun” an abridged version of the “Frog”. And if you should happen to run across a copy in good condition, there should be no difficulty in collecting at least $200 therefore.
Or if pocket-book limitations do not justify “eating quite so high on the hog”, we commend the issues of HARPER’S MAGAZINE from January to August, 1894 inclusive. These contain the first printing of George Du Maurier’s “Trilby”. It was later published in book form, but a picture and a paragraph, which J. McNeil Whistler claimed lampooned him, were omitted from the latter, although they had appeared in the magazine, which explains why it is more sought after by collectors than the book.
Bound volumes of the Du Maurier HARPER’S without the covers are not particularly scarce and hardly to be considered from the standpoint of a speculative future. Therefore, endeavor to secure the unbound monthly parts in good condition, and with the original wrappers. At the William Harris Arnold sale in 1924, they brought $70.
(To be continued.)
ESSENTIAL FOR SHEET MUSIC LOVERS
ANNALS OF MUSIC IN AMERICA
By Henry C. Lahee
The book traces the development of music in America in chronological order. Divided into periods with a brief review of each. The work is systematically indexed.
First mention of various musical instruments. First performance of significant orchestral, choral, and operatic works. First concerts and musical performances given in various sections of the country. Opening of the earliest theatres, opera houses and concert halls. Establishment of the first schools and conservatories of music. American debuts of noted singers, pianists, violinists, and conductors.
12mo, cloth, 1922. Sent postpaid upon receipt of $2.00
JAMES C. HOWGATE, Bookseller
190 State St., Albany, N. Y.
An Honest Heritage
Thomas J. Condie, Jr., credited by Will Snow with being the earliest known publisher of an American amateur periodical, came naturally by his talents. According to Mott’s “History of American Magazines,” his father Thomas Condie conducted at the tail end of the 18th century, the PHILADELPHIA MONTHLY, which in 1798 had almost reached the thousand mark in circulation. Incidentally on page 101 of Goodspeed’s very interesting house-organ, THE MONTH, (December) appears an aquatint of Girard’s Bank which is held at $35. The first article in this issue speaks of Condie, Jr. having gotten out his JUVENILE PORTFOLIO AND LITERARY MISCELLANY at 22 Carter’s Alley, directly opposite and the acquatint apparently shows the very building.
How To Tell A Reprint
It had been our original intention to devote a page in each issue on how to detect reprints of popular historic newspapers. But so many items of more general interest are clamoring for admittance to our columns, that we are referring all inquiries to the Library of Congress, which has gotten out 17 Information Circulars on the subject.
RHODE PRINTING-PUBLISHING CO.
Where Accuracy, Legibility and Neatness Are Predominating Factors
220 West 42nd St., NEW YORK CITY
WIsconsin 7-7727
Printers of Books and Booksellers Catalogs, Magazines, Trade Journals, Broadsides In Black Ink or Process Colors.
Day and Night Service
The
COLLECTOR’S GUIDE
A Monthly Periodical Devoted to First Editions, Americana, Autographs, Old Newspapers and Magazines, Sheet Music, Playbills, Dime Novels, Current Auction Prices, etc. $2 Per Year. Single Copies 25c. Published by James Madison, P. O. Box 124, Grand Central Annex, New York.
Advertising rates on [page 8].
No. 17 January 1940
We purchase for cash large or Small Collections. Especially Wanted: Books, Pamphlets. Files of Newspapers. Magazines Relating to American History. Library Sets, First. Special, Illustrated Editions. Books on Art, Literature, Music, Opera Scores, Theatre, History, Travel, Sports, Nature, Philosophy, Science, Mathematics, Anthropology, Occult, Religion. Early Science, Medical, Trade, Industry, Labor. Manuscripts.
We Call Anywhere & Pay Cash.
Books Removed at Our Expense.
DAUBER & PINE BOOKSHOPS, INC.
66 Fifth Ave., New York.
Phones: ALgonquin 4-7880, 7881.
We carry a large stock of Americana, First Editions, Rare Medical Books and Old Maps. May we have your wants or offerings?
ARGOSY BOOK STORES
114 E. 59th St., N. Y. C.
AUTOGRAPHS
HISTORICAL and LITERARY
HIGHEST PRICES PAID
CARNEGIE BOOK SHOP, INC.
105 East 59th Street WIckersham 2-4861-2 New York City
MECHANICAL BANKS
Send postal for new 1940 list of banks wanted. Also want silver or glass banks.
F. W. FERGUSON—Collector
280 Fourth Ave. New York City
AMERICANA Bought—Americana Sold Americana Sold—Americana Bought Americana Bought—Americana Sold Americana Sold—Catalogues
CHARLES P. EVERITT, 107 East 59th Street, N. Y. ELdorado 5-6581
Old Sea Books
BOUGHT and SOLD
Consult the specialist
Alfred W. Paine
113 East 55th St., NEW YORK, N. Y.
Gelber, Lilienthal, Inc.
Old and Rare Books
First Editions
Press Items, Californiana Catalogues
336 Sutter Street San Francisco, Cal.
AN IMPORTANT CIVIL WAR BOOK
THE LONG ARM OF LEE or The History of the Artillery of the Army of Northern Virginia. With a brief Account of the Confederate Bureau of Ordnance, by Jennings Cropper Wise, formerly commandant of Virginia Military Institute.
Lynchburg 1915. 2 vols. many photographic illus. 8vo. 998 pp. boxed. NEW. $5.00.
A notable feature of this set is its three indexes: General, Battery, and Battalion.
MILITARY ENGINEER. Dec. 1939. “He who does not read this book does not know the Civil War.”
Send for Catalog CG
BARNES & NOBLE, Inc.
FIFTH AVENUE AT 18th STREET New York, N. Y.