Sale Overview
Selections from the Library of Mr. & Mrs. John H. Gutfreund from 834 Fifth Avenue celebrates the beauty of the book arts, featuring many fine French, Russian, and English bindings; notable presentation copies; and noble associations. The collection is dominated by festival books documenting the luxury of Versailles; herbals and botanicals whose fine engravings and lithographs capture the riches of the natural world; and copious curiosities of ornament, architecture, art, and design. Highlights include the monumental Description du Sacre et du Couronnement de leurs Majestes Imperiales l'Empereur Alexandre II et l'Imperatrice Marie Alexandrovna, depicting the sumptuous coronation of Czar Alexander II; Fontana's Templum Vaticanum in a green morocco presentation binding for Czar Paul I; and a host of other treasures.
Viewings are by appointment only, starting 20 January. To make an appointment or for more information, contact Nathalie Ferneau, NFerneau@christies.com
©2020, Photograph by Visko Hatfield
Our specialist’s selection
Brought to you by

Rhiannon Knol
Associate Specialist | Books & Manuscripts
Originally from Virginia, she holds an MA in Classics from UCLA, where she specialized in Latin literature & the history of the book and helped to catalog the Richard and Mary Rouse Collection of Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts (ACMRS 2017). Rhiannon is also an alumna of the Lincoln College International Summer School in Greek Palaeography. Although her interests in the field of rare books are catholic, particular favorite topics include early printing, classical reception, the history of science and ideas—and anything weird & wonderful.
Rhiannon is a member of BSA, RSA, the Grolier Club, and the Women’s Classical Caucus. She reads Latin, ancient Greek, and French (and is working on her Italian & German).
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