Books and Manuscripts: 19th and 20th Century

Anna Sewell A collection of Sewell family letters including two letters by Anna Sewell: i) Anna Sewell, autograph letter signed, to her grandfather John Wright, discussing with great eagerness her chickens ("...My hens have layed [sic] exceedingly well. I keep a regular account so that I know who is the best, and how many eggs I have, one hen began to lay before Christmas..."), with a postscript in the hand of her father Isaac Sewell, integral autograph address panel, 4 pages, 4to, 12-13 February 1832 ii) Anna Sewell, autograph letter signed, to her brother Philip, with family and personal news including her imminent visit to Buxton (presumably to for a spa cure), with gratitude for his letters ("...I pray dear do not cut short the serious parts of thy letters for fear they should seem like preachments they only are like thy thoughts and are very edifying to me..."), cross-written, integral autograph address panel, 2 pages, 4to, postmarked 10 March 1840 iii-iv) Mary Sewell, author and mother of Anna Sewell, two autograph letters signed, to Dorothy and Abraham Sewell, cross-written, 8 pages, 4to, n.d. and 2 August 1828 v-vi) Two further Sewell family letters: Elizabeth Wright, to Philip Sewell, 4 pages, 4to, Buxton, 15 April 1853; Philip Sewell, to John Wright, Bilbao, 1 September 1863 This group of letters includes a charming letter by the twelve-year old Anna Sewell proudly describing her hens to her grandfather, who had just given her some corn for the birds. In a letter that exemplifies her love of animals, she describes how she keeps them in a "nice warm stable" and gives them four hours of outdoor exercise; she sells the eggs and she hopes she "shall be able nearly to clothe myself with the money they bring in". Anna Sewell's other letter typifies the moral seriousness that is also characteristic of Black Beauty, as she earnestly recommends to her brother a book "about temper" written by a curate. The collection also includes two letters by Anna Sewell's mother, Mary Sewell (1797-1884). She was herself an author of didactic works for children, and was throughout her life involved in a number of charitable causes. Much of Black Beauty was dictated by Anna to her mother, as she was often too ill to write herself. LETTERS BY THE AUTHOR OF BLACK BEAUTY ARE RARE AT AUCTION.

View 1 of Lot 159: Anna Sewell | Two autograph letters signed, with four related family letters, 1832-63

anna sewell | two autograph letters signed, with four related family letters, 1832-63

Books, Manuscripts and Music from Medieval to Modern

Anna Sewell Black Beauty. London: Jarrold and Sons, [1877] FIRST EDITION, 8vo, engraved frontispiece, 8 pages of publisher's advertisements at end, original pictorial cloth (Carter's C binding), bespoke green morocco and marbled clamshell box, later inscription, slight splitting to hinges, slightly skewed, wear to head and foot, professionally restored The first edition of this pioneering work which brought issues of animal welfare to the fore, written by Anna Sewell when she was confined to bed by ill health. Her only novel, it encountered significant success, with one million copies in circulation in the United States two years after its publication. LITERATURE: Wolff 6250a; Carter, More Binding Variants, p. 35

View 1 of Lot 310: Anna Sewell | Black Beauty, [1877], first edition

anna sewell | black beauty, [1877], first edition

Fine Books and Manuscripts, Including Americana. Part 2

Property from the Workman Collection Sewell, Anna Black Beauty: His Grooms and Companions. The Autobiography of a Horse. London: Jarrold and Sons, 1877 8vo. Wood-engraved frontispiece by C. Hewitt, 8 pp. of publisher’s advertisements at end; scattered foxing, text block slightly shaken. Original green cloth pictorially stamped in black and gilt with horse facing to the left (Carter C. binding), brown coated endpapers, slight rubbing to extremities, back endpaper split; heavier foxing to endpapers and edges. Housed in green morocco clamshell box. First edition of this pioneering work which brought issues of animal welfare to the fore, written by Anna Sewell when she was confined to bed by ill health. Her only novel, it experiences significant success, with one million copies in circulation in the United States two years after its publication. REFERENCE: Carter 35 PROVENANCE: Anna Jane Peekover (owner inscription to front free endpaper)

View 1 of Lot 1093: Sewell, Anna | Fine first edition of a pioneering work

sewell, anna | fine first edition of a pioneering work

The Library of an English Bibliophile, Part 1

12mo (165 x 100mm.), first edition, wood-engraved frontispiece, 8pp. advertisements, original pictorial blue cloth stamped in black and gilt, front cover with horse's head in gilt looking left within medallion, spine in gilt and black with raised lettering, [Carter's C binding], morocco-backed fitted case, some foxing throughout, spine slightly darkened 

black beauty: his grooms and companions. the autobiography of a horse. london: jarrold and sons, [1877]

L12408

8vo, first American edition (issue with 'The American Humane Education Society' advert dated 1 March 1890 on front endpapers, Introductory Chapter dated 12 February 1890, 'price at news stands, 25 cents.' at head of upper cover and price elsewhere noted as '12 cents'), vignette on title-page, 12pp. at end relating to 'The American Humane Education Society', original printed boards, front free endpaper loose, some minor soiling to binding, head and foot of spine very slightly frayed

black beauty: his grooms and companions... boston: american humane education society, [1890]

English Literature, History, Children's Books &amp; Illustrations

8vo, first edition, wood-engraved frontispiece, 8pp. publisher's advertisements at end, original brick-red cloth with design and lettering in gilt and black on upper cover and spine (variant of Carter's 'B' binding with the horse's head facing right and printed in black), collector's brown morocco backed folding box, some spotting, hinges split, extremities worn

8vo, first edition, wood-engraved frontispiece, 8pp. publisher's advertisements at end, original brick-red cloth with design and lettering in gilt and black on upper cover and spine (variant of Carter's 'B' binding with the horse's head facing right and printed in black), collector's brown morocco backed folding box, some spotting, hinges split, extremities worn A copy of the first edition in an unrestored and extremely rare binding. Carter describes three bindings. Binding A and B he suggests are "undoubted primaries, while C may be a simultaneous style or may be a later one". The third binding is "comparatively common" but "A and B are so rare that deductions are inevitably conjectural". It is now generally accepted that the A binding was used for presentation copies and that the B binding was used for the regular published edition. It is the rarest of the three bindings: Carter only saw one (noting titling in gilt, rather than black as here). It appears that only two copies have been offered at auction in the last 30 years.

black beauty: his grooms and companions. the autobiography of a horse. translated from the original equine. jarrold and sons, [1877]

Books &amp; Manuscripts

8vo (6 5/8 x 4 1/8 in.; 168 x 105 mm). Wood-engraved frontispiece, 8-page publisher's catalogue at the end; some occasional light marginal spots and soilmarks. Publisher's green pictorial cloth, stamped in gilt and blind; recased, head and foot of spine mended, corners worn, some cockling and scrapes. In a green morocco drop-box.

black beauty, his grooms and his companions. the autobiography of a horse, translated from the original equine. london: jarrold & sons, [1877]

L11408

8vo, first edition, engraved frontispiece, 8pp. publisher's advertisements at ned, original pictorial green cloth in black and gilt (Carter's C binding), collector's morocco-backed folding box, later inscription, slight splitting to hinges, slightly skewed, head and foot of spine slightly frayed with professional repairs

black beauty... jarrold and sons, [1877]

The Library of an English Bibliophile, Part VI

8vo (165 x 108mm.), FIRST EDITION, 8pp. of advertisements at the end, wood-engraved frontispiece after C. Hewitt, original red cloth, Carter's binding variant C with title set in fretted panel on upper cover against a gilt background, decoration in black below with medallion in gilt with horse's head looking to the left, collector's brown cloth case and quarter brown morocco slipcase, some slight spotting, binding and hinges neatly repaired

black beauty: his grooms and companions. the autobiography of a horse. translated from the original equine... london: jarrold and sons, [1877]

The Library of an English Bibliophile, Part IV

12mo (166 x 102mm.), FIRST EDITION, PRESENTATION COPY INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR'S MOTHER MARY ON FRONT ENDPAPER ("The Revd I Drake | from his sincere friend | Mary Sewell"), wood-engraved frontispiece, 8pp. advertisements, original pictorial green silk-grain cloth, upper cover with elaborate floral and rustic frame enclosing title in specially cut caps graded to swell at the beginning and ends of the words, horse's head beneath looking to the right, spine similarly decorated (a variant of Carter's B binding), brown coated endpapers, green cloth folding box, joints and spine expertly repaired, some occasional slight spotting to text and preliminaries

12mo (165 x 102mm.), FIRST EDITION, wood-engraved frontispiece, 8pp. advertisements, original pictorial red cloth stamped in black and gilt, front cover with horse's head in gilt looking left within medallion, spine in gilt and black with raised lettering (Carter's C binding), green cloth chemise and quarter red morocco folding box, remains of slight crease to leaf A1, some minor soiling and very light spotting, unobtrusive repairs to cloth and lower hinge

Black Beauty. His Grooms and Companions. The "Uncle Tom's Cabin" of the Horse. Boston: The American Humane Education Society, 1890

sewell, anna

Black Beauty: His Grooms and Companions. The Autobiography of a Horse. Translated from the Original Equine, by Anna Sewell. London: Jarrold and Sons, [1877]

sewell, anna.

The Library of an English Bibliophile Part VIII

Black Beauty: his Grooms and Companions. The Autobiography of a Horse. London: Jarrold and sons, [1877], first edition, wood-engraved frontispiece by C. Hewitt, publisher's advertisements at the end, original green cloth decorated in black and gilt, brown endpapers, title on upper panel set in fretted panel, gilt medallion below with horse's head looking to the left (Carter's variant binding C), some slight wear to spine and edges of cloth, tiny tears at foot of M2 and M4, two gatherings partially loose; together with fifth edition of the same, original blue cloth, frontispiece loose, some wear to edges of cloth; 12mo (2)

two editions of "black beauty":

English Literature, History, Science, Children’s Books and Illustrations

SEWELL, ANNA Autograph letter signed, to her brother Philip sending him birthday wishes but with disturbing news that has deeply upset their mother about scandalous claims made by Mr [Henry James] Prince, a charismatic and heterodox local preacher ("...he says that he is a manifestation of the Holy Ghost'..."), the followers he has gathered around him ("...one girl said she would follow him to Hell if he went there..."), and her family's confrontation with him ("...he even threatened an action if we perisisted in speaking to the people but we cannot let them go blindfold to ruin..."), with a brief postscript by their father sending love and best wishes, 4 pages, 8vo, integral address panel with penny red stamp and postal markings, Brighton, 13 January 1844 This letter by Anna Sewell (1820-78) to her younger brother Philip (b.1822) is of particular importance as Sewell discusses the notorious preacher Henry James Prince (1811-99). Sewell had been brought up a Quaker but left the community at the age of 18, and thereafter she and her mother attended services held by a range of Protestant denominations, including during the years when the Sewell family lived in Brighton (1837 to 1845). Henry Prince had been ordained in 1839 but his unorthodox beliefs and behaviour led to his licence to preach in the established church being revoked in 1842. He came to Brighton in 1843 and preached at the Adullam Chapel. Sewell attests in this letter to Prince's use of increasingly messianic language and he was soon presiding over a sect that came to be called the Agapemonites. Prince urged his followers - especially the wealthy ones - to donate their possessions to the community, and eventually announced himself to be the chosen means of reconciling God's spirit with the sinful flesh of humanity through his "spiritual marriage" to a young member of the community (who subsequently bore him a child). LETTERS BY THE AUTHOR OF BLACK BEAUTY ARE EXCEPTIONALLY RARE AT AUCTION. We have records of only four letters having appeared at auction in the last forty years.

View 1 of Lot 215: SEWELL | autograph letter signed, to her brother Philip, 1844

sewell | autograph letter signed, to her brother philip, 1844

English Literature, History, Science, Children’s Books and Illustrations Online

BARKER, KATHLEEN FRANCES--[SEWELL, ANNA] Collection of drawings for Nothing but Dogs, Nothing but Horses and Sewell's Black Beauty, on 195 sheets, comprising: Nothing but Dogs pencil and charcoal drawings for Nothing but Dogs, 77 sheets, various sizes c. 400 by 310mm., many with protective film on verso, many with captions attached or loose, some browning and rust stains (77 sheets) Nothing but Horses pencil and charcoal drawings for Nothing but Horses, 92 sheets, various sizes, c. 400 by 300mm., many with protective film on verso, many with captions attached or loose, some browning and rust stains; [together with:] 10 similar pencil and charcoal drawings, all on sheets of similar sizes, some browning and minor rust stains [together with:] 2 pencil and gouache drawings on blue paper, 500 by 380mm. and 460 by 109 mm., one signed, some creases (104 sheets) Black Beauty eight pencil and charcoal drawings for Black Beauty; all on sheets 380 by 280mm., all signed, some browning; [together with:] two pastel and watercolour drawings on green paper, 110 by 80mm. and 450 by 305mm., unsigned, some creases and tears, some rust stains; [together with:] vignette of horse's head, 50 by 42mm., unsigned, some soiling; [together with:] pencil and watercolour drawing of horses and hounds, 350 by 290mm., signed with initials "PB" lower right; [together with:] dust-jacket artwork constructed from two paintings on canvas, backing board, mount and glass sheet with lettering, 380 by 368mm., unsigned, some soiling, glass shattered with additional loss in one corner (14 sheets) Drawings by Kathleen Barker for Nothing But Dogs (Black, 1938), Nothing But Horses (Black, 1937) and a complete set of illustrations for Barker's edition of Black Beauty published by A. & C. Black in 1936. The two drawings on green paper provide upper cover and spine illustration for the dust-jacket. The artist, K.F. Barker (1901-1969), was a noted illustrator of animals, hunting scenes and dogs. Please see Shipping Calculator Link: Click Here

barker, drawings for nothing but dogs, nothing but horses and black beauty, c. 195 sheets, 1936-38

Property from the Library of John M. Schiff

Property from the Library of John M. Schiff Sewell, A[nna] Black Beauty: His Grooms and Companions. Boston: The American Humane Education Society, [1890] 12mo (175 x 115 mm). Engraved title-page vignette, introductory chapter dated 12 February 1890, advertisement on preliminary page dated 1 March 1890, head- and tail-pieces, engraved initials; lightly browned. Original paper boards, cover with engraved border and with "copies can be had at ... 19 Milk Street, Boston, at 12 cents each, to which must be added, when sent by mail, 8 cents for postage" at head; upper board and first few leaves separating at head and foot but holding, loss to spine, chipped at extremities, some browning and minor soiling to boards. Housed in a green clamshell box. First American edition of Anna Sewell's perennially successful classic of children's literature. This was the Quaker author's only publication, written during periods of ill health between 1871 and 1877, often through dictation to her mother. PROVENANCE: John M. Schiff (bookplate to pastedown of clamshell box)

View 1 of Lot 1043: Sewell, A[nna] | First American edition

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