Source : Braislin

Source Title The Important American Library Formed by Dr. William C. Braislin
Description "The American Library of Dr. William C. Braislin, is too well known as a whole, to collectors of Americana, to require a foreward to engage their attention; but it may be doubted whether very many outside of Dr. Braislin's historical circle of friends, or [even]those who have spent considerable time among his books, realize the vast number of rarities he has succeeded in gathering on the subject which may be broadly called the History and Development of the West, with all its romance and realism, its incredibilities and practicalities.

This will include quite naturally, the Americana Aborigines; the advent of the White Men; Pioneer development and Overland Journeys; the various Wars, not only with the Indians, but with Great Britain on the North, and Mexico on the South; New States and their Development; the Discovery of Gold; Canals; Railroads; Indian Captivities and Narratives. The most interesting and most valued volumes [of] all of these, and more, Dr. Braislin has succeeded in procuring; and he has been fortuniuate enough to obtain copies of some books of which only from one to fivew copies appear to be known."
Scope of Text "The building of a country involves petty politics as well as lofty motives, aspirations, and actions, and the founder of this library realized that he must not only possess the important writings of the day by or about Aaron Burr, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and men of similar national significance, but also of others, whose lives were a part of the life of the growing country, and whose actions were reflected in such growth.

To give in detail the many rarities to be found in the following pages, would merely duplicate a large part of the catalogue. It is sufficient to say there are many books listed here which collectors have been looking for, for some time, and this may be the last opportunity to procure them."

This sale realized $48,376.50.
Total Records in AED 0
  • Old World Auctions (Feb 11):
    Lot 11. Blaeu's Superb World Map on a Polar Projection (1695) Est. $5,500 - $7,000
    Old World Auctions (Feb 11):
    Lot 36. Schedel's Ancient World Map with Humanoid Creatures (1493) Est. $14,000 - $17,000
    Old World Auctions (Feb 11):
    Lot 49. One of the First Lunar Globes to Show the Far Side of the Moon (1963) Est. $1,000 - $1,300
    Old World Auctions (Feb 11):
    Lot 5. The First World Map with Lavish Allegorical Vignettes of the Continents (1594) Est. $15,000 - $17,000
    Old World Auctions (Feb 11):
    Lot 55. Anti-British Propaganda Map with Churchill as an Octopus (1942) Est. $2,000 - $2,300
    Old World Auctions (Feb 11):
    Lot 197. One of the Most Influential Maps of Westward Expansion (1846) Est. $9,500 - $12,000
    Old World Auctions (Feb 11):
    Lot 10. Scarce Pitt Edition of Carte-a-Figures Map of the World (1680) Est. $9,500 - $11,000
    Old World Auctions (Feb 11):
    Lot 220. A Fine, Early Rendering of San Francisco (1874) Est. $2,200 - $2,500
    Old World Auctions (Feb 11):
    Lot 707. Hand-Colored Image of the Presentation of Jesus with Gilt Highlights (1450) Est. $1,600 - $1,900
    Old World Auctions (Feb 11):
    Lot 80. One of the Most Important Maps Perpetuating the Myth of the Island of California (1680) Est. $3,250 - $4,000
    Old World Auctions (Feb 11):
    Lot 725. Homann's Atlas Featuring 26 Folio-Sized Maps in Original Color (1715) Est. $4,500 - $5,500
    Old World Auctions (Feb 11):
    Lot 169. One of the Earliest Maps to Show Philadelphia (1695) Est. $4,750 - $6,000