An original holograph manuscript telling the story of the wreck of the Oswego is to headline PBA Galleries' Fine Americana, African American History and Travel and Exploration sale on October 24 in San Francisco.
The manuscript, valued at $8,000-12,000, is titled: "A Narrative of the Shipwreck of the Ship Oswego, on the Coast of South Barbary, and on the sufferings of the master and crew while in bondage among the Arabs".
 Paddock's account proved popular, and was published in 1818 |
Written by captain Judah Paddock, the rare manuscript describes the shipwreck, capture and enslavement of the crew in north-west Africa in 1818.
A copy of Le Antichita di Ercolano Esposte carries an identical estimate.
The lot comprises nine volumes of Ottavio Antonio Bayardi's survey of artworks discovered during the excavation of the Italian town of Herculaneum in the 18th century, under the patronage of King Charles III.
 The nine volumes cover over 40 years of excavations at Herculaneum |
The publication of the work had a major impact on the evolution of neo-classical art across Europe.
A lithograph view of Nevada's Washoe region from Mount Davidson features with a $7,000-10,000 estimate. Only one other example is known to exist.
A first octavo edition of James John Audubon's Birds of America will be another highlight of the sale, and features 70 hand coloured lithograph plates - including those on vultures, falcons and swifts.
We have a selection of rare books and manuscripts available, including this pamphlet signed by Mark Twain - a rare piece of Americana.
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