Pardon the late notice ...

[Dave Monroe]

Auctions: Freeman's sale is one for the books
By David Iams

For The Inquirer

While the works of famed, still-active painters are common enough
attractions at major auctions, the works of famed, still-active
authors are less so. Or so one would think, given that many enjoy
ample print runs that also serve to keep their resale prices down.
But among the more than 500 lots in Freeman's sale Thursday of fine
books, manuscripts and posters are several involving contemporary
authors still publishing. To be offered, for example, are five works
by Thomas Pynchon, including a first edition of V, the 1963 cult novel
that made the reclusive writer famous, as well as an uncorrected proof
copy of it and an advance-reading copy.

The first edition is expected to sell for $600 to $1,000, according to
presale estimates in the auction catalog, prepared by David Bloom and
Joe Huenke; the proof is expected to bring $800 to $1,200 and the
advance copy $200 to $300.

A copy of Gravity's Rainbow, published 10 years later and to some
readers constituting the second part of a trilogy, is expected to sell
for $1,000 to $1,500. (The argument may be made that Pynchon, now 70,
completed the trilogy in 2006 with the publication of Against the
Day.)

Also represented in the sale is John Updike; a complete set of his
"Rabbit" books is expected to go for $250 to $400.

To be sure, the auction's top prices are expected for the works of
deceased authors. A first American edition of J.R.R. Tolkien's The
Fellowship of the Ring has a presale estimate of $1,200 to $2,000.

A first-edition/first-issue copy of Dickens' A Christmas Carol is
expected to sell for $8,000 to $12,000. A first-edition later issue
should bring $4,000 to $6,000.

Between $10,000 and $15,000 is expected for a complete nine-volume set
of Henry Eeles Dresser's A History of the Birds of Europe, printed
between 1871 and 1896 and containing 700 hand-colored plates. Another
set of illustrated bird books, Alexander Wilson's seven-volume
American Ornithology, printed in New York and Philadelphia between
1828 and 1829, could sell for $5,000 to $8,000.

Among posters to be offered are color lithographs by Albert Bergevin,
Leonetto Cappiello and Alphonse Mucha dating to the late 19th and
early 20th centuries and expected to sell for $2,500 to $4,000 each. A
color lithograph by George Ham promoting the 1935 Grand Prix of Monaco
carries a $5,000-$8,000 estimate.

An engraved copy of the Declaration of Independence printed sometime
between 1823 and 1848 in Washington by W.I. Stone is expected to sell
for $10,000 to $15,000.

The sale is to begin at 10 a.m. at the gallery, 1808 Chestnut St.
Previews are from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. For
more information, call 215-563-9275; view the catalog at
www.freemansauction.com.

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