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This diminutive book was discovered during a routine house clearance in Essex, despite damage to binding, the text is complete and carries a guide price of £10,000-15,000.
17/07/2024
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Hidden in the depths of our 250 lot works of art section, in our 1267 lot two-day September Fine Art auction is an unremarkable looking tome with decrepit ancient leather binding (Lot 803). Belying appearances, this pocket sized book is a tremendous rarity for collectors and we anticipate significant interest when it goes under the hammer on the 25th September. This is a rare first English translation of Machiavelli’s Prince, dating to 1640. The original book was published in 1532, and was presented as an instructional guide for new Princes. The philosophy which Machiavelli outlines is essentially that immoral acts are justified if they can help achieve political glory. The publication was tremendously influential and is widely considered to be the first philosophical publication. So amoral and explosive was the text, that the book was highly censored and an English translation wasn’t made until a century later.
Lot 803, Machiavelli - The Prince, the first English edition, published London 1640, the text complete, in crude early full calf binding. Estimate £10,000 - £15,000
This diminutive book was discovered during a routine house clearance in Essex, despite damage to binding, the text is complete and carries a guide price of £10,000-15,000.
The present collection comprises works from the artist’s estate spanning his career, the majority of the works have not been exhibited in decades. This collection represents a rare exciting opportunity at auction to present a catalogue of truly original works by an important modern British artist.
16/09/2025
A collection of works from three generations of artists of the Millar Watt family and their circle.
16/09/2025
Jack Stephenson was born at Grimsby, Lincolnshire and educated at East Ham Grammar School. He studied at Walthamstow School of Art, where tutors included Ken Howard and Fred Dubery and then Hornsby College of Art under Ian Simpson and David Tindle.
15/09/2025