American Conchology - photo 1
American Conchology - photo 2
American Conchology - photo 3

American Conchology

Sold
$ 10 710
Auction dateClassic
26.05.2022 10:00UTC -04:00
Auctioneer
CHRISTIE'S
Event location
USA, New York
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 752935
Lot 160 | American Conchology
American ConchologyThomas Say, 1830-1832SAY, Thomas (1787-1834). American Conchology. New-Harmony, IN: the School Press, 1830-1832. First five parts of "one of the most exotic American natural history and color plate books" (Stamped with a National Character). The plates are after Lucy Way Sistare, Thomas Say's wife, who was the first woman elected to the Academy of Natural Sciences. "This book was produced under frontier conditions in the utopian community of New Harmony, Indiana. Thomas Say, whose American Entomology had appeared with notable color plates in Philadelphia between 1824 and 1828, was one of the scientists who moved to this frontier social experiment, funded by Robert Owen, in 1827" (ibid.). Say met Lucy on the way to New Harmony, both passengers on a keelboat full of scientists called Boatload of Knowledge. The present publication eventually ran to seven parts, although the last was published after Say's death. "A work as extraordinary for having been produced in the wilderness as for its elegance and the importance of its contribution to natural history" (Streeter). America Pictured to the Life 61; Sabin 77368; Stamped with a National Character 13; Streeter sale 1413. Five parts in one, octavo (219 x 136mm). 50 hand-colored plates (text leaves toned, some spots). Original printed wrappers retained and bound into 19th-century half morocco (boards detached, pt 1 wrapper with large repairs, a few small chips and holes in other wrappers occasionally affecting printed area). Provenance: "Greenwood" (inscription) – Owen Bryant, Banff, Alberta, 1929 (inscription).
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
20 Rockefeller Plaza
10020 New York
USA
Preview
26.05.2022 – 26.05.2022
Phone +1 212 636 2000
Fax +1 212 636 4930
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase
Shipping Postal service
Courier service
pickup by yourself
Payment methods Wire Transfer
Business hoursBusiness hours
Mo 09:30 – 17:00   
Tu 09:30 – 17:00   
We 09:30 – 17:00   
Th 09:30 – 17:00   
Fr 09:30 – 17:00   
Sa closed
Su closed

Frequently asked questions

First of all, you should register to be able to purchase at auction. After confirming your email address, enter your personal information in your user profile, such as your first name, last name, and mail address. Choose a lot from the upcoming auction and the maximum amount you want to place on it. After confirmation of your choice, we will send your application by e-mail to the appropriate auction house. If the auction house accepts a request, it will participate in the auction. You can view the current status of a bid at any time in your personal account in the "Bids" section.
Auctions are performed by auction houses and each of the auction houses describes their terms of auction. You can see the texts in the section "Auction information".
The results of the auction are published within a few days after the end of the auction. In the top menu of the site, find the tab "Auctions". Click on it and you will be on the auction catalog page, where you can easily find the category "Results". After opening it, select the desired auction from the list, enter and view the current status of the interested lot.
The information about the auction winners is confidential. The auction winner will receive a direct notification from the auction house responsible with instructions for further action: an invoice for payment and the manner in which the goods will be received.
Each of the auction houses has its own payment policy for the won lots. All auction houses accept bank transfers, most of them accept credit card payments. In the near future you will find detailed information for each case in the section "Auction information" on the page of the auction catalog and the lot.
Shipment of the won lot depends on its size. Small items can be delivered by post. Larger lots are sent by courier. Employees of the auction houses will offer you a wide range to choose from.
No. The archive serves as a reference for the study of auction prices, photographs and descriptions of works of art.