Connecticut River Book Auction
Friday, March 25th, 2022
South Congregational Church, 949 Main Street in South Glastonbury, CT 06073.
www.ctriverbookauction.com
860-908-8067
Inspection begins at noon with the auction starting at 6 pm.

GLASTONBURY, CONN. — The Friday, March 25, Connecticut River Book Auction at the South Congregational Church promises followers of the American Civil War the opportunity to acquire a scarcely seen Robert E. Lee historical artifact. It is a small bill, roughly 5 by 7½ inches in size, printed by the Confederacy on cheap paper and intended for the Confederate Congress, military officers and officials. That favorably passed legislation placed Lee in the role as commander-in-chief of all Confederate armies.

This was not the first attempt at passing similar legislation. In the spring of 1862, this matter was debated by the 1st Confederate Congress with President Jefferson Davis voicing strenuous opposition to giving Lee the power to, “command an army or armies without the will of the president.” Davis’ view prevailed, but by February 1865 with the Confederacy just months away from collapse, this futile measure to bolster Southern morale was passed. Interestingly, many historians believe that by placing Lee in this position of supreme command that his surrender at Appomattox in April offered a conclusive end to the rebellion that might otherwise have seen Appomattox as just another military loss.

For those with an interest in J.M. Barrie, this auction offers a first edition copy of An Edinburgh Eleven with a signed handwritten letter laid in. There is also a signed limited edition of Everson’s Eastward the Armies Selected Poems 1935-1942; and for students of World War II, a “Special Map Showing Contact Between Gen. Hodges First U.S. Army and Gen. Jadov’s Fifth U.S.S.R. Army 25 April 1945.”

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

With spring nearly a week old, the next Connecticut River Book Auction on Friday, March 25th promises to be an evening of excitement for lovers of fine press, fiction, children’s literature and history.
For admirers of finely printed books, we offer Everson’s “Eastward the Armies: Selected Poems 1935–1942. One of 250 copies signed by the poet and published in 1980 by Labyrinth Editions. There is a copy of Mann’s “The Transposed Heads: A Legend of India” published in 1977 in a run of 140 by Allen Press. A 1901 copy of “De Cupidinis et Psyches Amoribus Fabula Anilis,” by Apuleius published by Hacon & Ricketts at the Vale Pres in a printing of 310 and a 1944 Limited Editions copy of Twains “Life on the Mississippi” illustrated and signed by Thomas Hart Benton.
This auction is rich in fiction. Just two volumes to mention are signed 1st editions of Spark’s (1996) “The Notebook,” and Conroy’s (1995) Beach Music.” There is also a nice first edition of Dickens (1865) “Our Mutual Friend.”
While the following are ex. library, their uniqueness deserves your attention. A 1st edition of “A House of Pomegranates,” by Oscar Wilde (1891) that has the bookplate of noted British Photographer Frederick H. Evans. Stevenson’s (1878) first book “An Inland Voyage,” one of only 750 published copies. Jack London’s (1915 – 1st edition) post-apocalyptic novel “The Scarlet Plague,” set in 2013 San Francisco and a signed limited edition of Conrad’s “The Secret Agent.”
Like children’s books? Then consider the following: Carroll’s (1927) “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” a near fine copy with the scarce dustjacket, Tudor (1997) “The Great Corgiville Kidnapping,” a signed 1st edition in dj. Or how about Downes (1888) “The Tin Army of the Potomac or A Kindergarten of War,” and Lang’s (1908 – 1st edition) “The Book of Princes and Princesses.” To that we offer a copy of Harris’ (1881) “Uncle RemusHis Songs and His Sayings The Folk Lore of the OldPlantation” The Harris volume is a 1st edition, 1st issue,but is an ex library volume. And not to be omitted is arrie’s (1890–1891) “The Little Minister and A Tillyloss Scandal,” in parts appearing in 14 volumes of Good Words housed in slipcase (also ex library).History in this auction is rich in Texas lore with signed first or limited-edition copies of Haley’s (1976) “Rough Time – Tough Fiber,” Combs’ (1968) “Gunsmoke in the Redlands,” and Hinkle’s (1966) “Early Days of a Cowboy on the Pecos.” For students of WWII, there is a framed
copy of April 1945 “Special Map Showing Contact Between Gen. Hodges First U.S. Army and Gen. Jadov’s Fifth U.S.S.R. Army 25 April 1945.” And we would be remiss if we did not mention that we will sell a small (approx. 5” x 7.5”) but important item of Confederate history – namely (1865) “An Act to provide the appointment of [Robert E. Lee] a General in Chief of the Armies of the Confederate States.” This last item is rarely found given its small printing and the cheapness of the paper on which it was printed.