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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.
Lot 150 in our Fine Art sale on the 9th and 10th of June is a wonderfully evocative collection of private correspondence from the Royal family and includes a special note from our King, His Majesty Charles III.
Introducing our early summer Harry Reeman’s Sale on the 2nd of June, including the usual eclectic array of antique furniture, furnishings, paintings, ceramics, silver and sundries and showcasing an enigmatic collection of shop contents from the long-standing interior design firm Woolpit Interiors.
Wednesday 27th & Thursday 28th May - We are located in the White Zone, Stand 502B
26/05/2026