Bonhams, Now thru Oct. 14: The "Hatfield" Apple-1 Computer in working condition, signed by Steve Wozniak with a letter signed by Steve Jobs. Estimate: $500,000-800,000
Bonhams, Now thru Oct. 14: REICHARDT, JASIA; curator. Cybernetic Serendipity: The computer and the Arts. Portfolio and Catalogue. Estimate: $5,000-8,000
Bonhams, Now thru Oct. 14: An Apple Lisa 1 Microcomputer. Estimate: $50,000-70,000
Bonhams, Now thru Oct. 14: A rare Apple Paladin "All-In-One" computer prototype. Estimate: $40,000-60,000
Bonhams, Now thru Oct. 14: 30th Anniversary "White OC" Edition Asus ROG Nvidia Astral Gegorce RTX 5090 signed by Jensen Huang. Estimate: $10,000-15,000
Bonhams, Now thru Oct. 14: A clear plastic prototype Apple Macintosh Portable. Estimate: $10,000-15,000
Bonhams, Now thru Oct. 14: An Apple Jolly Roger pirate flag. Estimate: $4,000-6,000
Bonhams, Now thru Oct. 14: An Apple Newton messagepad engineering development notebook. Estimate: $4,000-6,000
Bonhams, Now thru Oct. 14: A rare 1839 Jacquard-woven silk portrait of Joseph-Marie Jacquard. Estimate: $4,000-6,000
Bonhams, Now thru Oct. 14: A clear plastic prototype Apple Macintosh Powerbook Duo dock with an Apple Powerbook Duo 280. Estimate: $3,000-4,000
Bonhams, Now thru Oct. 14: A clear plastic prototype Macintosh 'Apollo' Classic II. Estimate: $3,000-5,000
Bonhams, Now thru Oct. 14: WEIZENBAUM. Computer Power and Human Reason. 1976. Estimate: $1,500-2,500
Bonhams, Now thru Oct. 14: An Apple Newton Messagepad with marketing display. Estimate: $1,000 - 1,500
Heritage Auctions, Oct. 14: Bible, in English. Fine restoration binding in the style of the Queen’s binders.
Heritage Auctions, Oct. 14: Magnus Hundt, the elder. First edition of one of the earliest printed books with anatomical illustrations.
Heritage Auctions, Oct. 14: Agatha Christie. Cards on the Table. First edition.
Heritage Auctions, Oct. 14: F. Scott Fitzgerald. The Beautiful and Damned. First edition, first printing.
Heritage Auctions, Oct. 14: Isaac Asimov. I, Robot. First edition, presentation copy.
Heritage Auctions, Oct. 14: Bible, in English. Geneva-Tomson-Junius. London: Robert Barker, [colophon 1612]/1611.
In 1846, the first plank road in the United States was completed between Salina (Syracuse, New York) and Central Square. Another plank road nearby, the Auburn and Moravia Plank Road, was organized in 1848. It’s 18-mile length connected Auburn and Moravia. Recently an interesting lot of 45 items relating to the A and M was offered on Rare Book Hub's eCatalogues. It was a mixed group of printed and manuscript material that captures the spirit of that time. I have long been interested how the New York road system developed. When I saw it, I pounced.
In the documents dating from 1848, one name consistently appears, David Wright, who served as the company’s president from its early stages through to at least 1862. Among the documents are six appealing stock certificates, all signed by Mr. Wright. Fittingly, No.1 was both issued and signed by Mr. Wright.
Other stock certificates are interesting. No. 79 was issued to Samual Eddy, a well-known figure (and constable) in the Auburn/Owasco area. No. 81 was issued to Theron Green, who represented the established village leadership. No. 93 was issued to John H. Chedell who was known as heavyweight in 19th-century finance and infrastructure.
Another printed document was one of the Auburn and Moravia Plank Road Company’s bonds. From what I gather, that bond, No. 3, was being paid up to November 7th, 1862.
That one and others, probably did not fare as well. This plank road was organized in the late 1848 during what has been described as the Plank Road Craze. Both investors and their engineers overestimated the useful life of the planks. The wood rotted more quickly than expected.
In addition to the printed documents, 38 manuscript documents related to this project including correspondence, invoices and payments to and from related parties were included.
Looking back, after the planks rotted, not all was lost. The road they built would become part of New York’s Route 38. If you by luck or chance make that drive, as you pass by Auburn, you’ll be on the very path this plank road made possible.
And how did I encounter this wonderful lot? It was posted by Michael Brown, ABAA, on eCatalogues on Rare Book Hub. I was lucky to see it before others did. His complex lots are significant additions to collections.
Sotheby’s, Oct. 20: Euclid. Praeclarissimus Liber Elementorum in Artem Geometrie, Venice, Ratdolt, 25 May 1482, first edition of the first substantial mathematical work to appear in print, Durazzo copy.
Sotheby’s, Oct. 20: Galilei, Galileo. Sidereus nuncius …, Venice, 1610, first edition of the foundation of modern astronomy.
Sotheby’s, Oct. 20: Kepler, Johannes. Astronomia nova aitiologitos …, Prague or Heidelberg, 1609, first edition, contemporary vellum, the Chasles copy.
Sotheby’s, Oct. 20: Cellarius, Andreas. Harmonia macrocosmica seu atlas universalis et novus ..., Amsterdam, Jan Jansson, 1661, brilliantly handcolored.
Bonhams, Now thru Oct. 15: TASSO. La Gerusalemme Liberata. 1745. Estimate: $15,000-25,000
Bonhams, Now thru Oct. 15: SAVAGE. Practical Hints on Decorative Printing... 1822. Estimate: $8,000-12,000
Bonhams, Now thru Oct. 15: BEWICK. The Works... [1805-]1822. Estimate: $8.000-12,000
Bonhams, Now thru Oct. 15: RÖSEL VON ROSENHOF. De natuurlyke historie der insecten... [1765–1788]. Estimate: $8.000-12,000
Bonhams, Now thru Oct. 15: BOYS. Picturesque Architecture in Paris, Ghent, Antwerp, Rouen, etc. [1839]. Estimate: $8,000-12,000
Bonhams, Now thru Oct. 15: HOLBEIN. Imitations of Original Drawings by Hans Holbein... 1792[-1800]. Estimate: $8.000-12,000
