Collection of rare books and manuscripts spanning a period of nearly 400 years to be auctioned online

Books, maps and manuscripts from the twilight years of Indian ruler Tipu Sultan will be among the collection of rare books that will go under the hammer.

Press Trust of India August 20, 2019 21:50:29 IST
Collection of rare books and manuscripts spanning a period of nearly 400 years to be auctioned online
  • Scheduled to be held on 4-5 September, the auction will feature a selection of books that cover a period of nearly 400 years,

  • The oldest book in the auction is De Vita Caesarum (The Twelve Caesars), which dates back to 1605.

  • Books, maps and manuscripts from the twilight years of Indian ruler Tipu Sultan will be among the collection of rare books that will go under the hammer.

Books, maps and manuscripts from the twilight years of Indian ruler Tipu Sultan will be among the collection of rare books that will go under the hammer at an upcoming online sale by Mumbai-based auction house Prinseps.

The literature on Tipu Sultan will include a book titled, A Narrative Of The Campaign In India, Which Terminated The War With Tippoo Sultan, In 1792, and two maps of the Sultan's territories, one dated 1792, and the other dated 1799.

Collection of rare books and manuscripts spanning a period of nearly 400 years to be auctioned online

Map of the Lands of Tippo Saheb immediately following the 4th Anglo Mysore War 1799-min

While the book has an upper estimate of Rs 3, 90, 000, the maps are expected to fetch anything between Rs 90,000 - 1,20,000, each.

Scheduled to be held on 4-5 September, the auction will feature a selection of books that cover a period of nearly 400 years, the oldest book being De Vita Caesarum (The Twelve Caesars), which dates back to 1605.

The tome that is considered to be a text of historic importance is a biographical chronicle of the Caesars of Rome. It is estimated between Rs 40, 000 - Rs 50, 000.

Collection of rare books and manuscripts spanning a period of nearly 400 years to be auctioned online

De Vita Caesarum 1605

"The lots have been primarily obtained from the collection of renowned collector Sunil Baboo, whose meticulously documented collection developed from his travels across Europe and the United States of America," the auction house said in a statement.

Also on offer will be The Works of Sir William Jones (1799) by Lady Anna Marie Shipley Jones, who founded The Asiatic Society of India in Bombay and Calcutta.

Collection of rare books and manuscripts spanning a period of nearly 400 years to be auctioned online

The Works for Sir William Jones by Lady Anna Marie Shipley 1799

This first edition copy of Jones' six-volume work carries a series of engravings as well as William Jones’ translations of Hitopadesa and Kalidasa’s Shakuntala. It is estimated at Rs 7, 25, 000 - Rs 9, 50, 000.

Other key lots will cover the history of conquests in India, including the first edition print of Narrative of the War on the Coast of Coromandel (1756) by Richard Owen Cambridge that talks about the French conquests. It is expected to fetch Rs 3, 45, 000 - Rs 4, 50, 000.

Collection of rare books and manuscripts spanning a period of nearly 400 years to be auctioned online

Forty Years of the RajKumar College, Chester Macnaghten, pub. 1910

A preview of the key highlights was held recently at the Taj Art Gallery in Mumbai.

— All images courtesy of Prinseps

Updated Date:

also read

Harry & Meghan: Was the near catastrophic car chase just a publicity stunt | Explained
Entertainment

Harry & Meghan: Was the near catastrophic car chase just a publicity stunt | Explained

According to reports, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s spokesperson is shutting down speculation that the Sussexes exaggerated their New York City car chase in order to gain publicity.

Book review | The Indian Metropolis: An account of India’s challenged sprawling urban spaces
Opinion

Book review | The Indian Metropolis: An account of India’s challenged sprawling urban spaces

This is not another book by a politician; written with deep empathy and common sense, this is a must-read for all who believe in India’s potential and thus want a clear imagination to prevail for an inclusive urban design

Adolf Hitler’s pencil to go under the hammer: All about this ‘gift’ from his partner, Eva Braun
Explainers

Adolf Hitler’s pencil to go under the hammer: All about this ‘gift’ from his partner, Eva Braun

A pencil that is said to have belonged to Adolf Hitler will be sold by an auction house in Belfast next week. This has been condemned by the European Jewish Association, which has called for removing the items of the Nazi dictator from the auction