Connecticut River Book Auction
will hold a Live And In-Person Book Auction on
Friday, January 21, at 6 pm
At the South Congregational Church
949 Main St, South Glastonbury, CT
Inspection begins at 1 pm
www.ctriverbookauction.com • 860-908-8067

SOUTH GLASTONBURY, CONN. — The Friday, January 21, Connecticut River Book Auction at South Congregational Church promises to meet the needs of fine book collectors and those with a special interest in Joseph Conrad. When admirers of the “art” of printing gather round a collection of fine small press books, invariably their attention is drawn to the work of Lewis and Dorothy Allen. This couple began their careers in creating works of print art in 1939. More than five decades using hand presses, rag paper and an unsurpassed attention to detail, they produced several of the finest books known to the Twentieth Century.

This auction offers one such volume — the 45th limited edition issued from these artists. Burton’s Persian Stories from the Arabian Nights combined colors of gold, deep blue, orange and green with calligraphic symbols stamped in 23K gold leaf to please the eye. Limited to 140 copies, the binding is in the French tradition of unsewn sheets gathered in three folders of green and then housed in a silk like hinged box.

For readers who appreciate the work of Joseph Conrad, this auction offers a first edition copy of Typhoon and Other Stories. Sadly, the book is ex library with a few stamps attesting to that fact. But what makes this copy interesting is that laid in is a handwritten letter from Conrad to Mrs Bontine the mother of the person to whom Conrad dedicated this book. In the letter he expresses his admiration for her son.

Mrs Bontine’s son was Robert Cunninghame-Graham, the first Socialist member of the British Parliament. A writer, adventurer and Scottish politician, Graham was a founder of the Scottish Labor Party and the National Party of Scotland. His life was filled with experiences worthy of Indiana Jones. To name just a few, he was cattle rancher in Argentina, searched for the forbidden City of Taroudant and taught fencing in Mexico. Whether it was these feats that won Conrad’s admiration or Graham’s support of the abolition of the House of Lords, universal suffrage and Scottish Home Rule that earned him this dedication is unknown. What is known is that Graham’s life and political views matched the courage and insight that many of Conrad’s characters sought to obtain.

South Congregational Church is at 949 Main Street. For more information, 860-908-8067 or www.ctriverbookauction.com.

Inspection begins at 1:00 p.m. with the auction starting at 6:00 p.m.
We welcome the New Year with an auction of 200 plus lots rich in fine printing, fiction, archeology, firearm literature and much more.
From the Allen Press we have a lovely copy of Dickens (1982) “Pictures from Italy,” and Burton›s (1980) “Persian Stories from the Arabian Nights,” both limited to 140 copies. To that, Limited Edition Club copies of Twain›s (1942) “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” and (1939) “The Adventures of Tom Sayer,” illustrated and signed by Thomas Hart Benton are just a few of the fine press offerings to be had.
For lovers of fine fiction, we have 1st edition copies of: Salinger (1961) “Fanny and Zooey,” Kipling (1897) “Captain Courageous,” Sparks (1996/signed) “The Notebook,” with (1999) “A Walk to Remember,” Dickens (1853) “Bleak House,” and Hemingway’s (1929) “Farewell to Arms,” the 1st UK edition, 2nd state.
Or how about a 1st edition of “The Discovery of the Amazon,” by De Carvajal. This copy once belonging to Barnum Brown the paleontologist who first documented the remains of Tyrannosaurus Rex. Interested in firearms?
There are several lots to choose from including 1st edition signed copies of Antaris “Star Firearms” and Wilkerson’s (1978) “The Post-War Colt Single-Action Revolver.”
Oh, did we mention the children’s books and the large, framed photograph of East New York when known as New Lots? And there is a 1st edition of Joseph Conrad’s (1903) “Typhoon and Other Stories.” Laid in is a letter from Conrad to Mrs. Bontine expressing his admiration for her son to whom he dedicated the book.
Inspection begins at 1:00 p.m. with the auction starting
at 6 p.m. This live and in-person book auction takes place
on Friday, January 21st at the South Congregational
Church, 949 Main Street, South Glastonbury, CT.
Visit ctriverbookauction.com for full details.
Still have questions, then call Tom at 1-860-908-8067.