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DICKENS, Charles. The Personal History of David Copperfield. London: Bradbury & Evans, 1850 courtesy Christie's Images Ltd., 2012. (Click on image to enlarge).

The letter accompanying the book, courtesy Christie's Images 2012. (Click to enlarge).

Charles Dickens’s personal copy of David Copperfield will come up at Christie’s in London on June 13.  Dickens (1812-1870) penned the novel in 1850, and it is known to have been his favourite.  It is inscribed to Brookes of Sheffield and was sent to the knife and tool manufacturer in May of 1851.  Dickens had included a character in David Copperfield with the similar name of ‘Brooks of Sheffield’; in a letter dated 25 April 1851 Dickens wrote to the manufacturer telling them that the introduction of the name into the book was pure coincidence. Having received a gift of a case of cutlery from Brooks of Sheffield, Dickens presented them with his own copy of the book to counteract the common superstition that if a knife is given as a gift, the relationship of the giver and recipient will be severed.

The book is accompanied by an autographed letter from Dickens presenting the copy to Messrs Brookes in which he apologises for the delay in their receiving the gift. Over the past 35 years only two presentation copies of David Copperfield have been seen at auction; in comparison with a copy of the book which has simply been signed by the author, presentation copies are more valuable as the author has gone to the trouble and expense of giving the book to someone.  It is expected to make between £30,000-50,000.

Benjamin Franklin's 2nd edition sells for 29,000 in Dublin.

Benjamin Franklin’s New Experiments and Observations on Electricity sold for 29,000 at Mealy’s rare book sale in Dublin on April 24.  The three part book by one of the founding fathers of the US had been estimated at 3,500-5,000. It was from the library at Barne Park in Co. Tipperary and was part of the Ricardi Moore collection sold at the Berkeley Court Hotel in Dublin.

Benjamin Franklin made his observations at Philadelphia.  A major figure in the history of physics his many inventions included the lightning rod, bifocals and the Franklin stove. He formed the first public library in America and the first fire department in Pennsylvania.

The 1754 second edition parts I and 2, and possibly first edition part 3, was inscribed inside the front cover: ‘ex. Libris ricardi Moore pd. for this Vol. 4-4paid, besides Binding.’  At the same auction A History of Air by Robert Boyle, father of modern chemistry, sold for 6,500. The collection of 880 lots was 75 per cent sold.

See posts on antiquesandartireland.com for April 23, April 21 and April 13.

A jadeite bead necklace of unrivalled quality, courtesy Christie's Images Ltd. (Click on image to enlarge).

A pigeon blood Burma ruby and diamond ring courtesy Christie's Images Ltd. (Click on image to enlarge).

A JAR oval shaped diamond ring courtesy Christie's Images Ltd. (Click on image to enlarge).

A dramatic and one-of-a-kind diamond ring from JAR, one of the most sought-after contemporary jewellers in the world, is a highlight at Christie’s sale of Magnificent Jewels in Hong Kong on May 29. Set with three striking diamonds of exceptional quality – an oval-shaped diamond D colour, internally flawless diamond of 10.67 carats at its centre, flanked by two D colour, internally flawless diamonds of 6.07 and 6.04 carats – it marks the exquisite design for which JAR is known (US$ 2,500,000-3,500,000).

Over 300 diamond, gems and jadeite jewels valued at over $76 million US will come under the hammer. There is a superb 6.04 carat Burmese ruby and diamond ring by Etcetera (US$2,500,000-3,800,000).  The no heat cushion-shaped stone possesses the most desirable ‘pigeon’s blood red’ colour and an extraordinary degree of transparency.  A jadeite bead necklace of unrivalled quality is estimated at 0(US$3,200,000-4,500,000). Evenly and strongly saturated, each of the  jadeite beads featured in this necklace exhibits the optimal combination of colour, translucency and texture. The glass-like translucency bolsters the rarity of these pure beads.

Last year was a milestone year at Christie’s jewellery department. Global sales rech $600.1 million US, up 41 per cent on 2010. Hong Kong is ranked alongside New York and Geneva as one of the most important centre in the world for the sale of magnificent jewellery according to Vickie Sek, director of the Jewellery and Jadeite department at Christie’s, Asia.

(See post on antiquesandartireland.com for March 30).

A match ticket to the Bloody Sunday game in 1920 .UPDATE: THIS MADE 1,400

An historic match ticket to the fateful Bloody Sunday game between Tipperary and Dublin at Croke Park comes up at Mealy’s  rare books sale in Dublin on April 25.  The ticket, which is worn, is a survivor of one of the most significant events to take place during the Irish War of Independence.   On November 21, 1920 British Forces opened fire on an unarmed crowd attending a GAA football match killing 14 civilians.  Earlier that day the IRA mounted an operation to assassinate a team of undercover British agents in Dublin.  Later that evening three Republican prisoners detained in Dublin Castle were killed.  In total 31 people were killed in Dublin on that day.  Mealy’s estimate the ticket at 1,500-2,000. UPDATE: IT SOLD FOR 1,400.

The venue for the 350 lot sale, which is entitled Ireland’s Struggle, is the Berkeley Court Hotel in Dublin.  It will feature historical documents, broadsides, pamphlets, newspapers, postcards, militaria, photographs and books.

(See post on antiquesandartireland.com for April 13)

FROM Robert Boyle, father of modern chemistry to Gulliver’s Travels author Dean Swift to James Joyce the Ricardi Moore Collection offers much of huge interest to book collectors. The 18th century gentleman’s library from Barne Park in Co. Tipperary is to be sold by Mealy’s on April 24.  More than 880 lots including many rarities will be offered at the Berkeley Court Hotel in Dublin.  Richard Moore (1716-1771), founder of the library at Barne Park, was High Sheriff of Tipperary in 1744 and  represented the borough of Kells in parliament from 1757 to 1768. His eldest son Thomas succeeded him and maintained his fathers interest, adding a number of books inscribed with his name.  The collection, though not particularly large, is impressive in its wide ranging interests and scholarly content.  This is the first of two days of sales by Mealy’s Rare Books (see post on antiquesandartireland.com for April 13).  The catalogue is on-line. Here is a small selection:

A 1760 edition of the works of Dr. Jonathan Swift (600-800). Click on image to enlarge. UPDATE: THIS MADE 1,100

Rare Composite Atlas, maps after De la Rochette, d’Anville, Kitchen & others, dated c. 1778-1810 (4,000-6,000). Click on image to enlarge. UPDATE: THIS LOT SOLD FOR 2,500.

Five Important Documents Relating to County Kildare 1569: Signed by The Earl of Kildare. (750-1,250). Click on image to enlarge. UPDATE: THIS MADE 2,400

A first American edition of Finnegan’s Wake,1939, (550-750). UPDATE: THIS MADE 600

A 1692 edition of Boyle's General History of Air (1,800-2,200). Click on image to enlarge. UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 6,500

Large Qing Dynasty "Immortal" brushpot. (Click on image to enlarge). UPDATE: THIS MADE £1,553,250

A Qing Dynasty jade brushpot discovered during a valuation sweep is a highlight of Sotheby’s sale of fine Chinese ceramics and works on art in London on May 16.  The Qianlong period white and russet jade “immortal” brushpot is notable for its large size and carved scenes from the land of immortals.  It is estimated at £250,000-350,000. An Imperial green jade dragon seal displays features which suggest it was originally produced in the 18th century and re-carved during the Guangxu reign for the Empress Dowager Cixi (1834-1908).  Cixi’s seals express prestige and power. It is estimated at £300,000-400,000.

Imperial green jade Dragon seal. (Click on image to enlarge). UPDATE: THIS MADE £313,250.

The 341 lots sale comprises two collections, the Jersey Jades which belonged to the Earl and Countess of Jersey and Qing monochromes from a private European collection. Robin Bradlow of Sotheby’s remarked: “We have curated this sale to offer some of the finest examples of Chinese ceramics and works of art available to the market today. The marvellous collection includes rare and important Ímperial ceramics, beautiful jades, Imperial seals and Qing monochrome wares – many with outstanding provenances”.

The auction is expected to realise more than £6.5 million.

UPDATE:  The sale brought in a total of £12.9 million.

Charles Stewart Parnell original photograph c1880 (200-300). UPDATE: THIS MADE 650

Whyte’s “History, Literature and Collectibles” auction in Dublin on April 21 comprises objects from three millennia. There are examples of Celtic gold ring money from 1200 B.C., numerous items on Irish history, a telegram about the sinking of the Titanic (see post on antiquesandartireland.comfor April 3, 2012) and memorabilia relating to the visit of President John Kennedy to Ireland in June of 1963.  Here is a small selection. The catalogue is on-line.

UPDATE: AROUND 80 per cent of lots were sold for a total of 350,000.  The Titanic telegram failed to find a buyer.

19th Century silhouette of Father Theobald Mathew in Cork City (400-600). UPDATE: THIS MADE 400

Scarce example of dated Youghal delft (500-700). UPDATE: THIS MADE 500

1961-63: John F Kennedy press photographs collection including Irish visit, this image taken in Ireland in 1963 with President de Valera and Taoiseach Sean Lemass. (200-300). UPDATE: THIS COLLECTION MADE 700

In Dublin there will be an auction of antique and vintage jewellery, silverware and paintings at O’Reilly’s of Francis St. on April 25.  It will feature around 480 lots, including a magnificent antique diamond and sapphire cluster pendant, solitaire rings, earrings and bracelets.  Among the silver is a limited edition Irish circular bowl with gold decoration depicting The Tain designed by Louis le Brocquy.  The catalogue is on-line.  Here is a small selection (click on any image to enlarge).

An Edwardian diamond and sapphire cluster pendant c1910, 18,000-22,000.

An 18 carat gold panel bracelet set with sapphires signed Brevetto, 1,200-1,400.

LOUIS LE BROCQUY HRHA, B. 1916, Limited edition, Irish circular silver bowl, 600-800.

This nine carat gold bracelet is estimated at 450-550.

Oscar Wilde's inscription on The Importance of Being Earnest A Trivial Comedy for Serious People. London: Leonard Smithers and Co. 1899 ($80,000-120,000). (Click on image to enlarge). UPDATE: IT SOLD FOR $362,250.

A dedicated first edition Japanese Vellum copy of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest A Trivial Comedy for Serious People comes up at Sotheby’s, New York on April 20.  It was given to Robert Ross, a profoundly important figure in Wilde’s personal and professional life first as a lover, then as a close friend, ardent supporter and finally literary executor.  It is inscribed by Wilde to Ross as follows:  “To the Mirror of Perfect Friendship: Robbie: whose name I have written on the portal of this little play. Oscar. Feb ’99”.

Upon hearing of his arrest for ‘indecent acts’ Ross broke into Wilde’s flat to rescue potentially incriminating papers before the police arrived. At the trail Ross managed to get a space on the route to the witness stand. And it was Ross who Wilde’s increasingly stunned and bewildered wife Constance would contact when her husband disappeared. This copy is a true rarity. Only 12 Japanese Vellum copies were made. Six are known and only one has appeared at auction in the past 30 years. It will feature in the sale of the library of Jaques Levy, who acquired it in 1946. It is estimated at $80,000-100,000.

UPDATE: IT SOLD FOR $362,250. The book was purchased by New York bookseller James Cummins.