Sell or Auction Your John Bale Illustrium Maioris Britanniae scriptorum 1548 for up to Over $30,000 or More at Nate D. Sanders Auctions
FREE VALUATION. To buy, auction, sell or consign your John Bale Illustrium Maioris Britanniae scriptorum 1548 that is for sale, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (http://www.NateDSanders.com).
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Below is a recent realized price for a copy of Illustrium Maioris Britanniae scriptorum 1548 by English churchman John Bale. We at Nate D. Sanders Auctions can obtain up to this amount or more for you:
John Bale Illustrium Maioris Britanniae scriptorum 1548. Sold for Over $30,000.
The following are some rare texts we have sold:
Gutenberg Bible Leaf — Scarce Leaf From the 15th Century Bible Made From Moveable Type That Ushered in the Age of Enlightenment
Scarce leaf from the Gutenberg Bible, one of the earliest major books printed from moveable metal type, the invention that ushered in the Age of Enlightenment by democratizing knowledge through mass production of literature. Printed by Johannes Gutenberg in Mainz, Germany from 1450-1455, less than 50 complete or near-complete copies of the Gutenberg Bible are now extant, with nearly all those housed in public institutions. Singular leaves are also scarce, with the leaf presented here having been acquired by bookseller Gabriel Wells, whose purchase of an incomplete Bible in 1920 gave way to selling the individual leaves alongside an essay by A. Edward Newton entitled “A Noble Fragment”. Leaf is number 193 of the full Latin Bible, with the recto being the Prologue to 1 Chronicles of the Old Testament, and the verso the first part of Chapter 1 of 1 Chronicles. Each page features two columns of 42 lines in dark black Gothic type, accented by red and blue rubrication. Each copy of the Gutenberg Bible differs in its rubrication and illumination, with buyers at the time deciding upon these embellishments after the Bible was printed. The six-line rubricated letters of this leaf were likely added later, restored to match the original style. Leaf measures 11.125″ x 15.375″, bound on edge to portfolio measuring 11.75″ x 16″. Paper quality is still bright with very little foxing or discoloration compared to other examples. A stunning example from the book that changed the course of history. Sold for $136,500.

First Edition, First Printing of Charles Darwin’s Masterpiece, “On the Origin of Species” — “The most important biological book ever written”
First edition, first printing of “On the Origin of Species” by Charles Darwin, one of the most important books in the scientific canon. London: John Murray, 1859. In this revolutionary book that upended man’s own view of himself, Darwin posits natural selection as the engine driving species’ evolution, an argument so persuasive that even 19th century religious leaders adjusted their teachings to allow for evolution to work in concert with divine planning. Its importance has only grown in the 150+ years since publication, with Freeman concluding it to be “the most important biological book ever written”. First released on 24 November 1859, its scarcity nearly matches its importance, with the first printing consisting of only 1,250 copies, and the number of extant copies now significantly fewer.
All first printing points are present, including original binding, variant B, title page with copyright information on verso, Table of Contents (pages v-ix) with binder instructions to verso, complete pages 1-502, and folding table present between pages 116-117. Bound in publisher’s full green boards, stamped and lettered in gilt. Overall in very good condition; ads at back of volume have been removed as has half-title page, and endpapers have been replaced. Volume is rebacked using morocco, with original spine laid down. Some shelf wear to boards. Light foxing throughout book, with some chipping, small closed tears with repairs to a few pages, and a few dogeared pages. One small mark on page 109, otherwise no internal writing or marks. Housed in a custom quarter-leather clamshell box. Overall in very good condition, a handsome, presentable copy of this scarce first printing. Sold for $68,250.

Extremely rare Thomas Jefferson signed first edition of the first U.S. census, one of only a handful of Jefferson signed copies sold at auction in the last 40 years. As Secretary of State, Jefferson called for the first official census, and ratified the results of only a handful, this being one of them, signed boldly ”Th: Jefferson” on page 56. Published in Philadelphia: Childs and Swaine, 1791. Full title reads, ”Return of the Whole Number of Persons Within the Several Districts of the United States, According to ‘An Act Providing for the Enumeration of the Inhabitants of the Unites States’. Printed in a small number for distribution by Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State, and from his direct descendant, Thomas Jefferson Coolidge Jr., with Mr. Coolidge’s crested label to front pastedown. Bound in 19th century half-morocco and marbled boards, book measures 5” x 7.25”. This copy appears to be one of the very first printings of the first edition, as it lacks the tipped-in late-returning results from South Carolina often found on page 54. The lower margins of pages 34, 42 and 43 have been shaved by binder, otherwise copy is near fine with a touch of toning and foxing. Volume also includes a press copy of an autograph letter signed by Jefferson, affixed to rear endpaper, dated 8 October 1797, measuring 6.5” x 7.75”. Letter concerns a quarterly dividend of ”a few dollars over 300”, payable to Col. James Monroe. A rare opportunity for the very first census of the United States, signed by its 3rd President, with other such copies selling for approx. $100,000. Sold for $66,435.

First edition of Sir Isaac Newton’s ”The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy” in two volumes. London: Benjamin Motte, 1729. One of the most important works by the leading mind of the 18th century scientific revolution. Bound in contemporary tree calf, sympathetically rebacked, with gilt tooling to spines. Two octavo volumes measure 5.5” x 8.5” each. Volumes contain two folding letterpress tables and 47 folding engraved plates; the two frontispieces and pp. 385-393 and first 7pp. of index are replaced in facsimile, but hardly distinguishable from the original. The ”Laws of Moon’s Motion” usually found in Vol. II are here bound at end of Vol. I, and with errata for both volumes on verso of E4. Small stain to inner part of title in Vol. I, short tear to lower margin of G1, small section missing from lower margin of M3 and with lower corner cut away of A8 and C4 of ”Laws of Moon’s Motion” (no loss of text). Some marginal dampstaining and occasional soiling and spotting, overall in very good, clean condition with most edges untrimmed. Sold for $22,500.

1851 1st/1st Melville`s “Moby Dick”
“Moby Dick; or The Whale” by Herman Melville. New York: Harper & Brothers: 1851. First edition, first state. 635pp. with original orange endpapers. A masterwork, and a book collector’s necessity. From its indelible first line, “Call me Ishmael,” to its last, Melville’s singular novel establishes his authority as one of the literary masters of the nineteenth or any century. One of only 2,800 first edition copies published, this volume remains extremely rare as many were destroyed in an 1851 Harper’s warehouse fire. Complete with all leaves for first edition, first state; two flyleaves in the front, 3 at rear along with 6pp. of book ads; title page, dedication page, 2pp. contents, 1p. fore title, 2pp. etymology, 14pp. extracts. Volume measures approximately 5.75″ x 7.75″. Previous owner’s ink inscription to front free endpaper. Overall toning and foxing to interior. Very good, professionally restored condition. Sold for $15,000.

Very Rare Medieval Bible Manuscript Leaf — Produced in Italy Circa 1100 — Written in Carolingian Minuscule Script
Medieval Bible manuscript leaf, produced circa 1100 in Italy. Text is written in a very scarce Carolingian minuscule, a form of calligraphic script developed to standardize the Latin alphabet for the literate classes of Europe from one region to another. Text is from the “Apocalypse,” particularly from chapter 1, verse 5 to chapter 2, verse 13. Before the first quarter of the 13th century, the sections of each Book of the Bible were erratic and inconsistent from one Bible to the next, and chapters were often short and impractical. The leaf is from a Bible that was produced well before this period of standardization. Right column features scribbles from a later date, including “Apocalypse chap. I & 5-chap. II & 13” as a result of the leaf being used as a book cover, as well as a large initial “T” and the name “A. Tinard” in capitals. Leaf on 2pp., front and verso, measures 9.5″ x 12″ and has significant wear from age, including four missing corners, creases and a few laid-in slits and a few small holes in spots. The script is clear, save for a few lines with a few characters missing. Very good overall for such an historic item. Sold for $2,898.

Very Rare Medieval Bible Manuscript Leaf — Produced in Germany Circa 1150 — Large Bifolium Leaf Measures 14.5″ x 9″
Large bifolium leaf from a Bible most likely produced in Germany circa 1150-1175. The text, in Romanesque script is from the Book of Leviticus, with portions from chapter five, verse 12 to chapter 7, verse 15. The second portion of text (on verso) is from chapter 16, verse 9 to chapter 17, verse 15. Text is dated within the period 1150-1175 based on the spelling of words, as there are two p’s written together in abbreviation (which started about 1150), and the merging of the combinations of other letters, such as “bo” and “ho”, which started around 1170, not occurring on this leaf. There are a maximum of 35 lines (out of a probable 40) in a fine Romanesque script in dark brown in two columns. Card-style document on 4pp. front and verso measures approximately 14.5″ x 9″, though edges are uneven. Legibility of two pages is good; other two pages are largely illegible. Two large parts of pages 1 and 2 have been cut away and there are other cuts and chips. Overall in very good condition considering its age. Sold for $2,415.

Rare 12th Century Illuminated Missal Leaf
Rare vellum leaf from a 12th century missal (a book used in celebrating Mass), written in Carolingian miniscule, the script for writing Latin developed during the reign of Charlemagne. Twenty-nine lines of text appear on each side of leaf, with initials and some text rubricated in red. Soiling, dampstaining and minor vellum loss to 6.25″ x 8″ leaf. Overall in good condition. A rare example of ancient Biblical script. Sold for $1,780.

15th Century Hand-Painted Manuscript Page From “Book of Hours” — Illustrates Presentation of Jesus Christ
Hand-painted manuscript page from the liturgical text “Book of Hours”, from Paris, circa 1490. Front of double-sided page illustrates a scene from the presentation of Jesus Christ, who was circumcised on the 8th day after his birth. Includes 3/4 colored acanthus and floral border. Verso has single column with 22 lines of Latin text. Page is made of virgin-vellum and measures 4.25″ x 6″. Near fine condition given age. Sold for $1,469.

12th Century Hand-Painted Manuscript From ”Book of Hours”
Hand-painted manuscript page from the liturgical text ”Book of Hours”, from Tours in northern France, circa 1250. Double-sided page is beautifully rubricated in bright gold, blue and red. Single columns on each side contain 15 lines of Latin text. Page is made of virgin-vellum and measures 3.5” x 5”. Some rippling to bottom center, minor discoloration to edges and some foxing. Near fine given age. Sold for $1,250.

Bible Leaf From the Medieval Age, Circa 1250-1275 — Crusades Era Document on Vellum
Miniature medieval Bible page. Illuminated manuscript Bible page on vellum dates to the mid 13th century when pocket size Bibles were a common means of spreading Christianity to remote areas. Tiny Gothic script in Latin appears in brown ink with red and blue rubrication. Features a total of 56 lines of text, beginning with Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 20:1 and running through 23:22. Translates in part, ”How much better is it to reprove, than to be angry, and not to hinder him that confesseth in prayer…The slipping of a false tongue is as one that falleth on the pavement: so the fall of the wicked shall come speedily…Flee from sins as from the face of a serpent: for if thou comest near them, they will take hold of thee. The teeth thereof are the teeth of a lion, killing the souls of men…The mourning for the dead is seven days: but for a fool and an ungodly man all the days of their life…” Thin sheet features text on both sides. Measures 4.25” x 6”. Hole in the margin at lower right is likely from original stretching. Very slight buckling to top edge. Near fine given age. Sold for $1,100.

FREE VALUATION. To buy, auction, sell or consign your John Bale Illustrium Maioris Britanniae scriptorum 1548 that is for sale, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (http://www.NateDSanders.com).
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