The upcoming Gentleman’s Library auction at Bonhams on November 16 will feature an array of furniture, books, art and unusual objects that speak to a gentleman’s lifestyle of leisure, luxury, academic exploration and carefully curated eccentricity.
Gregg Dietrich, sales consultant at Bonhams, states about the sale, “In this, our second year with the Gentleman’s Library sale in New York, we have refined the sale while opening it to new categories. These include a section of European and American trains, a larger offering of posters, prints and paintings, natural history, scientific and planetaria, furniture, books and many unique and wonderful objects. It is a fun sale!”
The top highlight of the sale is John James Audubon’s Great Cock Male—Vulgo (Wild Turkey—) (est. $70,000-90,000) which is certain to attract wildlife, book and art enthusiasts alike. This rare engraving was chosen to be the first image seen in his masterpiece, double-elephant folio, The Birds of America. His hand-colored, meticulous image encapsulates the qualities for which Audubon became famous: large-scale, life-size images that convey a sense of movement and suspense within a naturalistic setting. His extreme attention to detail, especially in the bird’s neck, is strongly evident in this brightly-colored rare edition.
Also in the sale is the full-size facsimile of Audubon’s The Birds of America (est. $20,000– 30,000). This limited edition facsimile, which is one of only two full-scale editions to be produced, is a double elephant folio containing 435 color lithographed plates that bring the exquisite beauty of Audubon’s eye for nature to life.
A large honey-colored leather wardrobe trunk by Louis Vuitton (est. $10,000–15,000) is ideal for any jet-setter seeking the finest vintage travel accessories. Dating back to the 1920s, the rich cognac hue of its leather interior is enforced with brass riveting throughout, all of which bear the iconic “LV” initials. This impressive piece is extensively branded with minimal wear and has been serialized by the highly-recognizable Vuitton atelier.
To enhance one’s library is a warm, auburn hued and expertly gilded 37 volume Stormfield edition of Mark Twain’s work (est. $10,000–15,000) which is autographed by the colorful author himself but using his pseudonym Samuel Clemens. This edition comes with an autographed letter signed by Clemens, which is in response to a proposed meeting. One could also outfit their library with a Renaissance revival walnut and burl patent desk made by the Wooten Desk Manufacturing Company in Indiana, circa 1880 (est. $8,000-12,000) and a pair of John & William Cary 12 inch table globes that are hand-colored and mounted within a brass meridian ring with brass hour-dials at the north pole (est. $25,000-35,000).
Elsewhere in the sale is a set of 13 presidential dinner plates used by President Kenney on November 18, 1963, which was his last official dinner before his fatal Texas trip later that week. Included in the lot are six photographs of Kennedy at the Texas event, a view of the dining room, with dinner service visible, and other items such as letters, brochures and a copy of a newspaper report relating to the event.
This Gentleman’s Library auction will be on preview at the New York headquarters of Bonhams from November 5-7. The sale’s illustrated catalogue will be available online in the preceding weeks, for review and purchase at www.bonhams.com.
