3rd International Antiquarian Book Fair, Hong Kong, December 4-6, 2010
Snippets from the Book Fair Catalogue
From 4th to 6th December the 3rd Hong Kong International Antiquarian Book Fair takes place in the Hong Kong Exhibition Centre with booksellers from China, Japan, Thailand, Sweden, Great Britain, Australia, France and Germany. The fair is organized by Paul Feain of Cornstalk Bookshop in Sydney (Australia), Mitsuo Nitta of Yushodo in Tokyo (Japan), and Christopher Li of Swindons Books in Hong Kong.
Battledore (Kingston, NY)
DALI (Salvador): “Le Dragon Vert” [The Green Dragon], one from a set of eight etchings illustrating the poem by Mao: “Mount Liupan” translated into French, as published in Poèmes de Mao-Tse-Toung [Paris: Argillet, 1967]. Complete Suite of eight hand-coloured etchings on Arches paper, embossed with Dali’s signature at bottom right and each print is signed in pencil by the artist at lower right, with limitation number penciled at lower left ... Each measures 9-3/8 x 7-3/8 inches on larger hand-made paper.
This separate production of hand-colored art prints in a limitation of 150 sets, each containing 8 signed engravings, illustrating the “Poèmes” of Chairman Mao was created for collectors wanting the prints hand-colored since most of the original series came numbered copies which quickly sold out. US$ 35,000. (HK$ 270,000.)
Gerard A. J. Stodolski, Inc. (Bedford, New Hampshire)
CHOPIN, Frederic (1810-1849). Polish composer and pianist, noted for his lyric compositions for piano, including 55 mazurkas, 13 polonaises, 24 preludes, 27 etudes, 19 nocturnes, 4 ballades and 4 scherzos. Remarkable and Very Rare Partly Printed Document Signed, “Frederic Chopin,” in English. One page, quarto. Paris, May 2, 1845. Chopin acknowledges receipt from “Messrs Wessel and Co., no. 67 Frith Street, Soho Square London, the sum of twenty pounds…for the absolute sale of all my Copyright and Interest, present and future, vested and contingent, or otherwise, for the Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, of and in the following works “for piano forte solo: 2nd Grande Sonata Opus 58, commencing…[and] La Berceuse Opus 57…composed by me…Frederic Chopin.”
This fabulous document concerns the publication of the first editions of two of the greatest works of Chopin’s maturity: the Third Piano Sonata and the celebrated Berceuse in D-flat major. Both works were published by Wessel in June of 1845, preceding the Paris and Leipzig editions. Some restoration along right margin, affecting a portion of the printed text and touching the ‘n’ of Chopin’s signature. However, the legendary rarity of Chopin’s full signature, and the importance of the two works involved, make this a highly desirable item. ... HK$271,500.00 US $35,000.00
Adrian Harrington Rare Books (London)
FLEMING, Ian Lancaster. Casino Royale. London, 1953. First edition, first impression, in first issue dustjacket without the overprinted reviews. A superb association copy. This copy previously belonged to Sir Fitzroy MacLean, the diplomat, spy, distinguished war-time S.A.S. officer, and one of the most likey and accepted models for modern fiction’s most famous hero. A fellow Etonian, Ian Fleming befriended MacLean in their Moscow days during the 30s where they both witnessed the Soviet show trials; MacLean representing the Foreign Office and Fleming covering the case as a young journalist from Reuters. Both went on to have differing, but important roles during the was; Fleming in his desk-bound role in Naval Intelligence and MacLean on a highly dangerous field-work as a British spy. In his 1949 autobiography “Eastern Approaches”, MacLean recounted his extraordinary adventures in Soviet Central Asia, and in the Western Desert Campaign, where he specialized in commando raids behind enemy lines. Many of his escapes were straight out of James Bond.
The book is accompanied by some of MacLean’s papers; a loose sheet of notepaper, headed “House of Commons”, signed by MacLean (as inserted in the book when sold at auction), plus an unused sheet headed “From the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State of War”, the position held by MacLean at the time of Casino Royale’s publications, plus a compliments slip from Brigadier MacLean, a visiting card as Secretary at the British Foreign Embassy, and an unused address label from Jonathan Cape, who published both MacLean and Ian Fleming. A remarkable copy. £ 37.500 (HKD 464.000)
Yushodo Co. (Tokyo)
MARX, Karl. Autograph manuscript leaf of notes, the inside of the rear cover from the second of 24 notebooks filled by Marx during his time in London while researching texts in the British Museum prior to his writing “Das Kapital”. No place, but London, mid September to mid October 1850.
A lost leaf of the “Londoner Hefte” rediscovered. A single manuscript leaf 160 x 200 mm, 31 lines, closely written in Marx’s unique mix of English and German, and in his almost impossible hand, over 500 words in length, paginated 41 in a later hand in ink, from the second of Marx’s notebooks. P.O.R.
Charlotte du Rietz Rare Books (Stockholm)
[HONG KONG – PLAYBILL]. Victoria Theatre. Garrison Amateur Theatricals. On Thursday Evening, the 12th July, 1849. Will be performed by the officers of the Garrison of Victoria, and other amateurs, for the amusement of the public, the well known play of “Charles the XII of Sweden” … after which, the languageable farce of “Shoking Events” … Tickets to be had at Mr. Duddell’s and Sergeant-Major Williams, 95th Regiment ... God save the Queen! [Hong Kong]. Printed at Noronha’s Office [1849]. Folio. Printed on silk (22 x 30 cm). Within decorated
border and royal arms at head. In good condition.
This scarce playbill was printed at Hong Kong advertising an amateur theatrical production at the Victoria Theatre by British officers stationed at the Vicoria Barracks in Hong Kong. The plays were: “Charles XII” by the British dramatist James Planché, first performed in December in 1828, and the farce “Shocking Events” by John Baldwin Buckstone, first performed in 1838. Victoria Theatre in Hong Kong was inaugurated with a performance on November 1st 1848. However, it was not very successful, only run for a decade, mainly because there were no amateurs willing to act in the productions. This playbill is of typographical interest; as an early example of western printing in Hong Kong and a rare specimen of 19th century printing on silk. hk$ 17 000
Browse the Book Fair Catalogue 2009
http://www.cornstalk.com.au/hongkong/3rdHongKongAntiquarianBookfairCatalogue.pdf
3rd International Antiquarian Book Fair
4th to 6th December, 2009
Hong Kong Exhibition Centre, 3-4/F., Low Block, China Resources Building, 26 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
