Skinner Fine Books and Manuscripts to Turn a New Page in Upcoming Sale

BOSTON, Nov. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Skinner, Inc. will host an auction of Fine Books & Manuscripts on November 18th in its Boston gallery. Devon Gray's debut, as the newly appointed department director, features exceptionally rare books, first editions, presidential memorabilia, and important historical documents.

"Since Devon Gray's appointment as Department Director of Fine Books & Manuscripts, we have seen a flurry of excitement from both collectors and consignors alike," said Karen Keane, CEO of Skinner, Inc. "With Devon's vast experience and renown among book collectors, we will be expanding the department to host bi-annual Fine Books and Manuscripts auctions, with the next sale scheduled for June." 

Rare Books
Due in large part to Gray's extensive experience in the field, the sale presents an outstanding assortment of fine books. Gray was a founder and co-owner of James & Devon Gray Booksellers in Harvard Square until last year. With more than twenty years in the field, she has special expertise in early books and medieval manuscripts, as is abundantly evident in the sale. 

Among the best of the offerings is the complete thirty-five volume set of Denis Diderot's Encyclopedia (lot 289, estimated between $80,000 and $100,000). An extremely rare first printed Greek edition of the complete works of Plato will be offered (lot 442, $30,000 to $50,000).

An important collection of scientific books includes more than one hundred beautifully illustrated titles in English, French, Latin, Italian, and German. Amassed by a New England scientist in the 1950s and 1960s, this collection contains works related to optics and astronomy, and features some truly rare examples: Galilei Galileo's Dialogo (lot 557, $15,000 to $17,000); the complete works of Tycho Brahe from 1610 (lot 532, $6,000 to $8,000); and an early star atlas by Johannes Hevelius (lot 573, $80,000 to $100,000) among them. The collection also includes works on the history of science and early microscopes.

Presidential Letters and Documents
The auction will open with a letter, dated April 20, 1837, by John Quincy Adams (lot 1, $80,000 to $120,000). Written in the turbulent months following his struggle to lift the gag rule in Congress, Adams writes a spirited four pages on the abomination of slavery, its effects on future generations, and the ethical and philosophical incongruities of a country that guarantees human rights while allowing legal slave holding.

Of particular local interest are letters signed by John F. Kennedy, including one written to Anne Kenney of New Bedford, Massachusetts (lot 61, $500 to $700), and another written to Francis A. McLaughlin, an old friend of Kennedy's grandfather from East Boston, thanking him for his praise of the President's inaugural address (lot 62, $1,000 to $1,500). Since much Kennedy material was signed with an autopen, authentic signed letters are often hotly contested.

The growth of the United States is captured in a letter signed by Thomas Jefferson on February 22, 1791 (lot 54, $5,000 to $7,000). The letter is addressed to the President of New Hampshire, Josiah Bartlett, informing him that Vermont will be admitted to the Union.

About Skinner
Skinner, Inc. is one of the world's leading auction houses for antiques and fine art. With expertise in over 20 specialty collecting areas, Skinner draws the interest of buyers from all over the world and its auctions regularly achieve world record prices. Skinner provides a broad range of auction and appraisal services, and it is widely regarded as one of the most trusted names in the auction business. Skinner's appraisal experts regularly appear on the PBS-TV series, Antiques Roadshow, and its specialty departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, American & European Works of Art, European Furniture & Decorative Arts, 20^th Century Design, Fine Ceramics, Fine Silver, Fine Jewelry, Couture, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Works of Art, Fine Wines, Rare Books & Manuscripts, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographic Art, Fine Judaica, Antique Motor Vehicles, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, Discovery and Science, Technology & Clocks.  Skinner galleries are located in Boston and Marlborough, Mass. For more information on upcoming auctions and events, visit Skinner's web site www.skinnerinc.com.

SOURCE Skinner, Inc.