Large film-related auction in Ithaca

posted by Michael Zoldessy on June 21, 2010 at 10:40 am

ITHACA, NY — National Book Auctions, located in Ithaca, NY, will hold a special film, photography and art-related auction on June 27th that features the first session of the auction gallery’s art, film and photography-themed collections along with many select book and ephemera lots. Antique cameras and projection equipment will be offered along with artwork such as original paintings by Thomas Moran and William Merritt Chase. Rare books include a 1649 copy of Mathew Merian’s “Todten-Tanz” or “Dance of Death”, “Espiritual Que Trata De Los Malos” printed in 1574 (a book of Spanish mysticism banned during the Inquisition), and a 1677 printing of Hobbes' translation of “The Illiads and Odysses of Homer” and antique Arabic texts and manuscript leaves.

The antique cameras include brands such as Seneca, Zeninger, Graflex, Seroco and Tektronix, several antique folding bed models and many assorted lenses, film holders, plate holders and more. From the same collection, there will be offered an extensive library of photographic history and reference books. In addition, a selection of Kliegl studio lights and several antique original commercial Simplex film projectors that came to us from a New York theatre will be featured.

Also auctioned will be a sizeable collection of cinematic books and ephemera including antique and vintage movie stills, lobby cards and sheet music. There are items promoting great stars, films and characters such as Marlon Brando, Bette Davis, King Kong, Tarzan, The Marx Brothers, and others. Complementary to these items, we have a copy of “A Lesson in Love” signed twice each by Groucho and Chico Marx and very scarce first editions George Bernard Shaw’s “Pygmalion” (1914) and “The English Governess at the Siamese Court” (1870) by Anna Harriett Leonowens, the books that inspired “My Fair Lady” and “The King And I”.

Rare editions and first printings will be offered from literary greats including signed limited editions of “Nocturnes” by Thomas Mann, “The Secret Agent” by Joseph Conrad, “Dynamo” by Eugene O'Neil, “The Red Pony” by John Steinbeck and a unique, elaborately hand-written and signed copy of “Armenian Folk Song —– The Partridge” by Eugene Field. Other signed editions include “Naked Lunch” by William S Burroughs, “Catch-22” by Joseph Heller and titles by Aldous Huxley, Larry McMurtry, Douglas Macarthur and others.

Art offerings include two Russian peasant watercolors by Boris Krilov, a group of pristine WWI German propaganda posters, and other choice pieces.

National Book Auctions is a public auction service specializing in books, ephemera, and art. National Book Auctions is a targeted service offering experience and expertise unique to marketing antique and modern books and ephemera for consignors and collectors alike. In July, National Book Auctions will conduct an auction that will include a second session of art, film and photography-related material. For more information, please contact David Hall at 607-269-0101 or email