In contemporary half morocco gilt, it was bound as seven volumes to incorporate the later issued and only eight completed parts of an unfinished final volume. It made £14,000, selling online just under estimate.
Australian factfile
Lots from the library of Kingcausie, an estate that has been in the Irvine and Irvine-Fortescue families for over four centuries, included an 1822 first of James Dixon’s Narrative of a Voyage to New South Wales and Van Diemen’s Land.…
In original boards, its purpose was to give those planning to emigrate the most useful and recent facts available on the colonies. It made £4800.
A couple of first issue copies of Casino Royale of 1953 led a selection of Ian Fleming’s books, selling at £16,000 and £16,500. Other lots in the sale have previously featured in previews, reports and as a ‘Pick of the Week’.
Bid to £3500 was one of 150 large paper copies of JM Synge’s 'The Aran Islands', illustrated by Jack B Yeats. Such copies are usually signed by both men, but, though this one bore only the latter’s signature, it made a high price.
The sale took place on February 19 and the buyer’s premium was 25/20%.
