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This diminutive book was discovered during a routine house clearance in Essex, despite damage to binding, the text is complete and carries a guide price of £10,000-15,000.
17/07/2024
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Hidden in the depths of our 250 lot works of art section, in our 1267 lot two-day September Fine Art auction is an unremarkable looking tome with decrepit ancient leather binding (Lot 803). Belying appearances, this pocket sized book is a tremendous rarity for collectors and we anticipate significant interest when it goes under the hammer on the 25th September. This is a rare first English translation of Machiavelli’s Prince, dating to 1640. The original book was published in 1532, and was presented as an instructional guide for new Princes. The philosophy which Machiavelli outlines is essentially that immoral acts are justified if they can help achieve political glory. The publication was tremendously influential and is widely considered to be the first philosophical publication. So amoral and explosive was the text, that the book was highly censored and an English translation wasn’t made until a century later.
Lot 803, Machiavelli - The Prince, the first English edition, published London 1640, the text complete, in crude early full calf binding. Estimate £10,000 - £15,000
This diminutive book was discovered during a routine house clearance in Essex, despite damage to binding, the text is complete and carries a guide price of £10,000-15,000.
A very rare slice of wedding cake from the marriage of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip has sold at auction for £2,200.
06/10/2024
An important pair of oil paintings by Edward Dayes (1763-1804) are to appear at auction for possibly the first time in their history; they will be sold in Reeman Dansie’s Royalty, Fine Art & Antiques sale on Wednesday 6th November.
22/10/2024
Two rare classic cars have been uncovered in a rural Suffolk barn, following decades off the road. The 1950’s Mercedes - Benz 220 Type A Convertible and 1921 Talbot - Darracq with a combined age of 175 years are being offered for sale due to the passing of their owner.
09/10/2024