Source : John Howell Books Americana

Source Title Americana - Books, Manuscripts, Maps, Prints, Photographs, Paintings - The Inventory of John Howell - Books Part I
Description Various material from the inventory of John Howell - Books.
Scope of Text "Antiquarian booksellers lead privileged lives. They are merchants, to be sure, but what merchandise they buy and sell! It is the very stuff of human life, wisdom and vanity, nobility and squalor, adventure and serenity, distilled into words and preserved on paper. A bookseller can never be lonely; his shop is always full of people (though at times he may wish more of them were in the aisles rather than on the shelf, customers rather than tenants.)

Partly no doubt from necessity but largely as a result of their own enthusiasm good booksellers are teachers. A neophyte collector will learn from bibliographies but he will learn far more by frequenting the company of the leading members of the book trade. In my thirty years as a curator I gained as much from Warren Howell and his peers as from academic historians and bibliographers. A lifetime spent with books can bring much curious knowledge to an enquiring mind, and men like Warren gladly shared that learning.

Good booksellers not only know good books, they know where they belong. There is a certain intoxication in the power to choose which collector, personal or institutional, shall have first opportunity to acquire a rare title. Every great collection owes more to booksellers than it ever had to pay in dollars on invoices submitted. Certainly the Yale Collection of Western Americana owed much to Warren. Out debt was small compared to that of his beloved Bancroft Library, but it included many choice titles. And we were only two among many collections which he helped to build.

Now his books are being dispersed at auction. The firm of John Howell - Books has ceased to exist. But long after all of us who knew Warren have disappeared, generations of scholars will have cause to be grateful to him. That is monumental enough for any bookman."

Archibald Hanna,
New Haven, Connecticut
November 1984

From the preface to the sale catalogue.
Total Records in AED 718
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  • <b>ALDE, Dec. 3:</b> LAUTRÉAMONT (COMTE DE). <i>Les Chants de Maldoror,</i> Paris, Albert Skira, 1934. €30,000 to €40,000. <b>ALDE, Dec. 3:</b> PAULHAN (JEAN). <i>Braque le Patron,</i> Paris, Fernand Mourlot, 1945. €8,000 to €10,000. <b>ALDE, Dec. 3:</b> CHAR (RENÉ). <i>Le Soleil des eaux,</i> Paris, Matarasso, 1949. €3,000 to €4,000. <b>ALDE, Dec. 3:</b> BUFFON (COMTE DE). <i>Des Hirondelles et de quelques oiseaux connus, méconnus, ou inconnus décrits par le Comte de Buffon et Dado,</i> Fontfroide, 1988. €3,000 to €4,000. <b>ALDE, Dec. 3:</b> MAÎTRES DE L'AFFICHE (LES). Publication mensuelle contenant la reproduction des plus belles affiches illustrées des grands artistes, français et étrangers. Paris, 1896-1899. €10,000 to €12,000. <b>ALDE, Dec. 3:</b> JACOB (MAX). <i>Ne coupez pas mademoiselle ou les erreurs des P.T.T.,</i> Paris, Galerie Simon, 1921. €5,000 to €6,000. <b>ALDE, Dec. 3:</b> RADIGUET (RAYMOND). <i>Les Pélican,</i> Paris, Galerie Simon, 1921. €4,000 to €5,000. <b>ALDE, Dec. 3:</b> KUPKA (FRANTIŠEK). <i>Quatre histoires de blanc et noir,</i> Paris, s.n., 1926. €15,000 to €20,000. <b>ALDE, Dec. 3:</b> BALZAC (HONORÉ DE). <i>Le Chef-d'œuvre inconnu,</i> Paris, Ambroise Vollard, 1931. €5,000 to €6,000. <b>ALDE, Dec. 3:</b> [PICASSO (PABLO)]. <i>Hommage à Pablo Picasso,</i> Paris, s.n., 1966. €8,000 to €10,000. <b>ALDE, Dec. 3:</b> PIERRE (JOSÉ). <i>Qu'est-ce que Thérèse ? C'est les maronniers en fleurs,</i> Paris, Le Soleil Noir, 1974. €5,000 to €6,000. <b>ALDE, Dec. 3:</b> BALZAC (HONORÉ DE). <i>Traité des Excitants Modernes,</i> Paris, Yves Rivière, 1989. €6,000 to €8,000.
    ALDE, Dec. 3: LAUTRÉAMONT (COMTE DE). Les Chants de Maldoror, Paris, Albert Skira, 1934. €30,000 to €40,000.
    ALDE, Dec. 3: PAULHAN (JEAN). Braque le Patron, Paris, Fernand Mourlot, 1945. €8,000 to €10,000.
    ALDE, Dec. 3: CHAR (RENÉ). Le Soleil des eaux, Paris, Matarasso, 1949. €3,000 to €4,000.
    ALDE, Dec. 3: BUFFON (COMTE DE). Des Hirondelles et de quelques oiseaux connus, méconnus, ou inconnus décrits par le Comte de Buffon et Dado, Fontfroide, 1988. €3,000 to €4,000.
    ALDE, Dec. 3: MAÎTRES DE L'AFFICHE (LES). Publication mensuelle contenant la reproduction des plus belles affiches illustrées des grands artistes, français et étrangers. Paris, 1896-1899. €10,000 to €12,000.
    ALDE, Dec. 3: JACOB (MAX). Ne coupez pas mademoiselle ou les erreurs des P.T.T., Paris, Galerie Simon, 1921. €5,000 to €6,000.
    ALDE, Dec. 3: RADIGUET (RAYMOND). Les Pélican, Paris, Galerie Simon, 1921. €4,000 to €5,000.
    ALDE, Dec. 3: KUPKA (FRANTIŠEK). Quatre histoires de blanc et noir, Paris, s.n., 1926. €15,000 to €20,000.
    ALDE, Dec. 3: BALZAC (HONORÉ DE). Le Chef-d'œuvre inconnu, Paris, Ambroise Vollard, 1931. €5,000 to €6,000.
    ALDE, Dec. 3: [PICASSO (PABLO)]. Hommage à Pablo Picasso, Paris, s.n., 1966. €8,000 to €10,000.
    ALDE, Dec. 3: PIERRE (JOSÉ). Qu'est-ce que Thérèse ? C'est les maronniers en fleurs, Paris, Le Soleil Noir, 1974. €5,000 to €6,000.
    ALDE, Dec. 3: BALZAC (HONORÉ DE). Traité des Excitants Modernes, Paris, Yves Rivière, 1989. €6,000 to €8,000.
  • <b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 9:</b> Pliny. <i>Historia naturalis,</i> the Macclesfield copy, printed on vellum, Rome: Sweynheym and Pannartz, 1470. $900,000 to $1,200,000. <b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 9:</b> Aristotle. The fine Doheny set of Aldo's <i>editio princeps,</i> Venice, 1495–1498. $400,000 to $600,000. <b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 9:</b> Euclid. The Norman copy of one of the most influential, enduring, and beautiful books in the history of science, Venice, 1482. $100,000 to $150,000.
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 9: Pliny. Historia naturalis, the Macclesfield copy, printed on vellum, Rome: Sweynheym and Pannartz, 1470. $900,000 to $1,200,000.
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 9: Aristotle. The fine Doheny set of Aldo's editio princeps, Venice, 1495–1498. $400,000 to $600,000.
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 9: Euclid. The Norman copy of one of the most influential, enduring, and beautiful books in the history of science, Venice, 1482. $100,000 to $150,000.
  • <b><center>SD Scandinavian Art & Rare Book Auctions<br>The Odfjell Collection<br>Polar – History – Ornithology – Colour Plate Books<br>Ending December 4th</center></b> <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> ROALD AMUNDSEN: «Sydpolen» [ The South Pole] 1912. First edition in jackets and publisher's slip case. <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> AMUNDSEN & NANSEN: «Fram over Polhavet» [Farthest North] 1897. AMUNDSEN's COPY! <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> ERNEST SHACKLETON [ed.]: «Aurora Australis» 1908. First edition. The NORWAY COPY. <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> ERNEST SHACKLETON: «The heart of the Antarctic» + SUPPLEMENT «The Antarctic Book», 1909. <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> SHACKLETON, BERNACCHI, CHERRY-GARRARD [ed.]: «The South Polar Times» I-III, 1902-1911. <b><center>SD Scandinavian Art & Rare Book Auctions<br>The Odfjell Collection<br>Polar – History – Ornithology – Colour Plate Books<br>Ending December 4th</center></b> <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> [WILLEM BARENTSZ & HENRY HUDSON] - SAEGHMAN: «Verhael van de vier eerste schip-vaerden […]», 1663. <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> TERRA NOVA EXPEDITION | LIEUTENANT HENRY ROBERTSON BOWERS: «At the South Pole.», Gelatin Silver Print. [10¾ x 15in. (27.2 x 38.1cm.) ]. <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> ELEAZAR ALBIN: «A natural History of Birds.» + «A Supplement», 1738-40. Wonderful coloured plates. <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> PAUL GAIMARD: «Voyage de la Commision scientific du Nord, en Scandinavie, […]», c. 1842-46. ONLY HAND COLOURED COPY KNOWN WITH TWO ORIGINAL PAINTINGS BY BIARD. <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> JAMES JOYCE: «Ulysses», 1922. FIRST EDITION IN ORIGINAL WRAPPERS.
    SD Scandinavian Art & Rare Book Auctions
    The Odfjell Collection
    Polar – History – Ornithology – Colour Plate Books
    Ending December 4th
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: ROALD AMUNDSEN: «Sydpolen» [ The South Pole] 1912. First edition in jackets and publisher's slip case.
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: AMUNDSEN & NANSEN: «Fram over Polhavet» [Farthest North] 1897. AMUNDSEN's COPY!
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: ERNEST SHACKLETON [ed.]: «Aurora Australis» 1908. First edition. The NORWAY COPY.
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: ERNEST SHACKLETON: «The heart of the Antarctic» + SUPPLEMENT «The Antarctic Book», 1909.
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: SHACKLETON, BERNACCHI, CHERRY-GARRARD [ed.]: «The South Polar Times» I-III, 1902-1911.
    SD Scandinavian Art & Rare Book Auctions
    The Odfjell Collection
    Polar – History – Ornithology – Colour Plate Books
    Ending December 4th
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: [WILLEM BARENTSZ & HENRY HUDSON] - SAEGHMAN: «Verhael van de vier eerste schip-vaerden […]», 1663.
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: TERRA NOVA EXPEDITION | LIEUTENANT HENRY ROBERTSON BOWERS: «At the South Pole.», Gelatin Silver Print. [10¾ x 15in. (27.2 x 38.1cm.) ].
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: ELEAZAR ALBIN: «A natural History of Birds.» + «A Supplement», 1738-40. Wonderful coloured plates.
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: PAUL GAIMARD: «Voyage de la Commision scientific du Nord, en Scandinavie, […]», c. 1842-46. ONLY HAND COLOURED COPY KNOWN WITH TWO ORIGINAL PAINTINGS BY BIARD.
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: JAMES JOYCE: «Ulysses», 1922. FIRST EDITION IN ORIGINAL WRAPPERS.
  • <b><center>Swann<br>Illustration Art<br>December 4, 2025</center></b> <b>Swann, Dec. 4:</b> William Wallace Denslow (1856-1915). Pen and ink illustration for the first edition of Frank Baum's <i>The Wonderful Wizard of Oz</i> (Chicago: George M. Hill, 1900), page 33. $60,000 to $80,000. <b>Swann, Dec. 4:</b> Jerry Pinkney (1939-2021). <i>The Great Minu, African folk tale complete book, group of 15 illustrations. 1974. $12,000 to $16,000.</i> <b>Swann, Dec. 4:</b> Charles Schulz (1922-2000). Peanuts, Snoopy's brother Spike Christmas Cactus illustration. 1989 $8,000 to $12,000.. <b><center>Swann<br>Illustration Art<br>December 4, 2025</center></b> <b>Swann, Dec. 4:</b> James Montgomery Flagg (1877-1960). Dean Cornwell in his studio. Watercolor and pencil on board. 1920. $5,000 to $7,000. <b>Swann, Dec. 4:</b> Charles Samuel Addams (1912-1988). Study for "Movie Scream," 1947. $2,000 to $3,000. <b>Swann, Dec. 4:</b> Edmund Dulac (1882-1953). "Q was a quaint dainty queen." Watercolor and ink on paper. 1906. $6,000 to $9,000. <b><center>Swann<br>Illustration Art<br>December 4, 2025</center></b> <b>Swann, Dec. 4:</b> Albert Hirschfeld (1903-2003). Camelot. Pen and ink on board. 1960. $6,000 to $9,000. <b>Swann, Dec. 4:</b> Maurice Sendak (1928-2012). "Chicken Soup" sketch. Ink on paper. Circa 1962. $4,000 to $6,000. <b>Swann, Dec. 4:</b> Kay Nielsen (1886-1957). But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. Pastel on board. Circa 1955. $5,000 to $7,000. <b><center>Swann<br>Illustration Art<br>December 4, 2025</center></b> <b>Swann, Dec. 4:</b> Julian De Miskey (1898-1976). Equestrian riding across 5th Avenue. Mixed media on board. Circa 1930. $4,000 to $6,000. <b>Swann, Dec. 4:</b> Walt Disney Studios. Pinocchio "When You Wish Upon A Star" Jiminy Cricket Courvoisier animation cel. Gouache on celluloid over airbrushed background on board. 1940. $2,000 to $2,500. <b>Swann, Dec. 4:</b> Arnold Lobel (1933-1987). "I will tell you a story while we are waiting," graphite on tracing paper. 1976. $1,500 to $2,000.
    Swann
    Illustration Art
    December 4, 2025
    Swann, Dec. 4: William Wallace Denslow (1856-1915). Pen and ink illustration for the first edition of Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Chicago: George M. Hill, 1900), page 33. $60,000 to $80,000.
    Swann, Dec. 4: Jerry Pinkney (1939-2021). The Great Minu, African folk tale complete book, group of 15 illustrations. 1974. $12,000 to $16,000.
    Swann, Dec. 4: Charles Schulz (1922-2000). Peanuts, Snoopy's brother Spike Christmas Cactus illustration. 1989 $8,000 to $12,000..
    Swann
    Illustration Art
    December 4, 2025
    Swann, Dec. 4: James Montgomery Flagg (1877-1960). Dean Cornwell in his studio. Watercolor and pencil on board. 1920. $5,000 to $7,000.
    Swann, Dec. 4: Charles Samuel Addams (1912-1988). Study for "Movie Scream," 1947. $2,000 to $3,000.
    Swann, Dec. 4: Edmund Dulac (1882-1953). "Q was a quaint dainty queen." Watercolor and ink on paper. 1906. $6,000 to $9,000.
    Swann
    Illustration Art
    December 4, 2025
    Swann, Dec. 4: Albert Hirschfeld (1903-2003). Camelot. Pen and ink on board. 1960. $6,000 to $9,000.
    Swann, Dec. 4: Maurice Sendak (1928-2012). "Chicken Soup" sketch. Ink on paper. Circa 1962. $4,000 to $6,000.
    Swann, Dec. 4: Kay Nielsen (1886-1957). But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. Pastel on board. Circa 1955. $5,000 to $7,000.
    Swann
    Illustration Art
    December 4, 2025
    Swann, Dec. 4: Julian De Miskey (1898-1976). Equestrian riding across 5th Avenue. Mixed media on board. Circa 1930. $4,000 to $6,000.
    Swann, Dec. 4: Walt Disney Studios. Pinocchio "When You Wish Upon A Star" Jiminy Cricket Courvoisier animation cel. Gouache on celluloid over airbrushed background on board. 1940. $2,000 to $2,500.
    Swann, Dec. 4: Arnold Lobel (1933-1987). "I will tell you a story while we are waiting," graphite on tracing paper. 1976. $1,500 to $2,000.