It's just two days to go before the final Bethune's auction for 2006.
Wednesday's sale will include a magnificent collection of various editions of Izaak Walton's The Compleat Angler, including the 1st Moses Browne and 1st Hawkins. Also included is a complete set of Cook's Voyages and an 1852 facsimile of the Illustrated Arctic News, published on board the H.M.S. Resolute in search of the Expedition under Sir John Franklin.
One of the more interesting entries, with an estimate of $500, is:
Hulme, Keri: The Bone People. 1st ed. Spiral Wellington 1983. 21cm. 469p. Illustrated SC, purple background, blue stripe to spine shoulders. Soiled, stained & creased, may lack FEP. POS. First issue: minus errata verso of contents page. Signed 'Kia Ora! Na Keri Hulme', at Spiral book launch. First appearance of the Booker-prize-to-be. FA.
In the New Zealand literature listings, it's topped by only one other offering: a package including Pat Lawlor's Books and Bookmen, rated at $600. Lawlor was a book dealer and member of the Wellington 'literati', and it's a neat (or incestous) touch that 1954's Books and Bookmen covers the Bethune's book sales of the time.
Lawlor, P: Books and Bookmen New Zealand and Overseas, the author's own copy, 'First copy off the press', signed thus, along with related letters, book plates etc. 1st ed. W&T, Wellington 1954. 25cm. xxii, 267p. frontis. illus. L174. Red cloth. A special copy, with pencilled notations as to it being 'hurriedly put together by the printer'. Lawlor used this as a Lending Copy & ticked off 11 of the 12 borrowers. His pictorial book plate [Shears From Shibli Bagarag] 1929, is mounted to the front pastedown. 14 assorted book plates included, ie. Lowry Bay, NZ [artist W.P.B.], Churchill Auction of Books [artist Hilda Wiseman]. Three typed letters, signed, to Australian writer Martin Haley, literary content, including comments about Lawlor's 'Sex Novel', the death of Cresswell, Jim Baxter's father etc. Along with Lawlor's pseud. Christopher Penn, "The Last First Friday", annotated, typed signed prayer to Haley, laid in, (BBB) ND, SC, & "Church Etiquette", (CWM), ND, SC, clippings & other related items. "Books & Bookmen" CB, boards marked. Copy No 1/400. G+.
'Sex novel'? Sounds like quite a package up for grabs there.
If you want to leave absentee bids for the Wednesday auction and have not done so already, Bethune's needs to receive them by 5pm tomorrow (Tuesday 21). For more details, give them a call on 09 529 5602.
20 Nov 06 | Filed by Chris | Add your comment (2 so far)
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Comment by Mary Mac ~ November 21, 2006 10:22 PM
Soiled, stained & creased, but fabulously loved and lent to all and sundry by a gorgeous friend of mine, whose seaside cottage groans with books and art and things her children and grandchildren have made. She simply handed the pristine new volume to Keri on the day of the Spiral book launch over twenty years ago and said 'Keri, could you sign this for me please?' No idea what the book would be like. Priceless.
Comment by Islander ~ November 22, 2006 1:07 AM
Seriously, can any writer have a better recommendation than 'Soiled, stained, & creased'?
May that copy more than achieve it's quoted value (hey! I'll double sign if that helps!) and may all of us writers have this kind of buzz.
Zzzzing like the bee, folks -
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