Friends of the A.K. Smiley Public Library in Redlands offer 1896 ‘War in Cuba’ in auction POSTED: 11/19/14 One of the silent auctions sponsored by the Friends of the A.K. Smiley Public Library is a biweekly auction of old and rare books. Two first editions are up for bids through 1 p.m. Tuesday. They are “War in Cuba or the Great Struggle for Freedom” by Gonzalo de Quesada and Henry Northrop and “Land of Pilgrims’ Pride” by George Jean Nathan. The bid sheets and descriptions of the books are in the silent auction area on the main level of the A.K. Smiley Public Library, 125 W. Vine St., Redlands. The books themselves may be examined downstairs in the Friends of the Library bookstore. “War in Cuba or the Great Struggle for Freedom” by Gonzalo de Quesada and Henry Northrop was published in 1896. This book is a “must have” for collectors of works relating to the Spanish-American War. This volume offers an account of the extent of the Spanish oppression, violence and bloodshed that led up to the frequent uprisings of the 1880s and 1890s and ultimately resulted in the revolution of 1895-96. It details numerous incidents of heroism, American aid for “the cause,” secret expeditions and inside information. It also provides a description of Cuba, its resources, products and the manners and customs of its people. The book contains several engravings that illustrate the island. The condition is good to fair. The marbled cloth boards are gray with a pictorial front cover showing the Cuban flag and a scene of fighting. The spine cover has separated from the binding. The pages are slightly yellowed but show no foxing or stain. The dealer price is $25 to $60. The minimum bid is $20. “Land of the Pilgrims’ Pride,” a 1927 first edition, was written by American author George Jean Nathan (1882-1958). Nathan as also a drama critic and editor who worked closely with H.L. Mencken. Nathan co-founded The American Mercury and American Spectator magazines. He was famous for his epigrams satirizing American life, such as, “Patriotism is an arbitrary veneration of real estate above principles” and “Bad officials are made by good citizens who do not vote.” This collectible volume includes a series of essays, some of which appeared earlier in The New Yorker. “The New Morality” is a literate, very amusing but cynical, essay about American culture in the late 1920s. All the essays in this volume are to be read and savored for their wit as well as for their insight. Nathan’s view of the modern “sandwich impresario” is delicious. Bid on this book for your collection of first editions and bid because it is a treat to read. The condition is good. There are marbleized paper boards with buckram spine. It has a paste-on title that has darkened with age. The pages are clean, clear and bright. This is No. 45 of a special edition of 140 signed copies printed on all rag paper with deckled edges. The dealer price is $55 to $75. The opening bid is $20. Collectors may view additional titles up for bids by accessing the Friends bookstore website at aksmileybookstore and then clicking on the eBay link. All sales help to support the A.K. Smiley Public Library. redlandsdailyfacts/arts-and-entertainment/20141119/friends-of-the-ak-smiley-public-library-in-redlands-offer-1896-war-in-cuba-in-auction
Posted on: Fri, 21 Nov 2014 21:27:39 +0000
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