Yesterday's Top Lots: Art, Press & Illustrated Books / 19th & 20th Century Literature

Yesterday’s auction of Art, Press & Illustrated Books / 19th & 20thCentury Literature saw activity in all sections of the catalogue, and for every successfully sold item, there were numerous underbidders. 

Andy Warhol, 25 Cats Name Sam and One Blue Pussy, signed artist's book.

The top lot in the Art, Press & Illustrated books section was an inscribed and signed copy of 25 Cats Name Sam and One Blue Pussy by Andy Warhol, an artist’s book of 18 lithographs by Warhol, one of 150 copies produced. Among many quirky details surrounding the book are that Warhol hosted “coloring parties” to color in the cats, and the fact that it actually only contains 16 cats named Sam, despite its title. It sold for $45,600.

Beatrix Potter, Mrs. Rabbit with basket and umbrella in the forest, ink and watercolor drawing, 1927.

In keeping with the animal theme amongst top lots, another major item was an original Beatrix Potter illustration:Mrs. Rabbit with basket and umbrella in the forest, an ink and watercolor drawing after Potter's original iconic image published in The Tale of Peter Rabbit, London, 1902. In 1927 Potter re-drew fifty versions of her illustrations and offered them for sale to raise money for the National Trust. This particular drawing brought $14,400, a record for one of these scarce images of Mrs. Rabbit.

James Joyce, Ulysses, Paris, 1922.

The top lot among 19th & 20th Century Literature was a 1922 copy of James Joyce’sUlysses, which sold for $14,400. Number 349 from an edition of 750 copies printed on handmade paper, it was published by Shakespeare and Company in Paris and was originally sold by book dealers Davis & Orioli.