Ray Boas, Bookseller

I first visited Charles Dickens home in London in 1990 and became fascinated with A CHRISTMAS CAROL and began collecting different editions of the tale and ephemera. I wanted to do readings in my bookshop in Haddonfield, NJ, but that never happened. Relocating to New Hampshire in 2002, in 2008 I wrote my own stage adaptation of this classic and for seven years produced it. Many scene changes with utilization of a scrim, up to fifty performers from The Walpole Players, we accepted donations at the door for the local area food shelves, raising over $27,000 during our run. It is now time for me to find new homes for a few of my cherished editions.

c1917 – A CHRISTMAS CAROL – DESIGNED BY ALAN TABOR – UNCOMMON EDITION – SIGNED BY CEDRIC CHARLES DICKENS IN 1986

A CHRISTMAS CAROL IN PROSE BEING A GHOST STORY OF CHRISTMAS BY CHARLES DICKENS – Designed by Alan Tabor with Frontispiece by Monro S. Orr – Published by The Hubbell Publishing Co., New York. Unpaginated (about 112 pages), color frontis, black and white illustrations, Calligraphic text (in double columns) , decorative initials and borders, decorative title page, printed in red and black. Green cloth, hardcover, book block measures about 7 inches by about 10 1/8 inches. Some light foxing on acidic paper. In addition, this copy was SIGNED BY CEDRIC CHARLES DICKENS IN 1986. Cedric David Charles Dickens (24 September 1916 – 11 February 2006) was an English author and businessman, a great-grandson of Charles Dickens and the steward of his literary legacy.

This is an extremely uncommon edition (I found an auction record of 260 pounds). Manchester UK artist Alan Lansdown Tabor (1883-1957) did the work on the text. An earlier edition was done in 1916 by Tabor for the George G. Harrap & Co., but that edition is also scarce.

PRICE — $225 — SOLD

1924 – A CHRISTMAS CAROL – by CHARLES DICKENS – Illustrated by ETHEL F. EVERETT

Published by Thomas Y. Crowell Company, New York, 1924, 144 pages, 12 color plates tipped in. Good+, dark red cloth in uncommon lightly chipped dust jacket. Another uncommon edition of this classic from my personal collection.

PRICE – $65 – SORRY SOLD

c1920 – CHRISTMAS STORIES by CHARLES DICKENS: A CHRISTMAS CAROL and THE HOLLY TREE

Published by McLoughlin Brothers, New York, no date, circa 1910-1920s. 144 pages with both stories included. The important thing with this edition is the color frontis of Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim.

SOLD

1930s – DICKENS’ CHRISTMAS CAROL AND OTHER STORIES – THE PLEASANT HOUR SERIES

Includes: A CHRISTMAS CAROL (48 pages) by Charles Dickens; and, THE MAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY (45 pages followed by ads) by Edward Everett Hall – published by Barse & Hopkins Publishers, New York, no date, but gift date of 1934 on front free endpaper. Hardcover, maroon cloth with pictorial pastedown. Four color plates as called for.

PRICE – $25

1986 – A CHRISTMAS CAROL by CHARLES DICKENS – Illustrated by ARTHUR RACKAM

Published by Octopus Books Limited, London, 1986 – strangely an edition not often seen with “12 superb color plates, many fine line drawings and silhouettes by the well loved artist Arthur Rackam.” Hardcover, 143 pages, green cloth with dust jacket. Sadly the front cover “took a hit” at some point it its live with a tear. Once a dust jacket protector is on the book it will be harder to see. Owner inscription on blank preliminary page.

PRICE – $25
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FOUR (4) VINTAGE CHRISTMAS BOOKLETS – FUN TO DECORATE WITH AND READ

Offered as a lot are these four softcover Christmas holiday booklets, the largest of which measures about 5 inches by 7 1/8 inches. 

Included are (left to right, top to bottom):
A CHRISTMAS SONG – by John H. Finley, David C. Cook Publishing Co., Elgin, IL – printed in Germany, no date but 19th century – a poem and some great color lithos 
THE TWINS CHRISTMAS PRESENTED BY SANTA CLAUS at Strawbridge * Clothier’s, Philadelphia. By Esther M. Watson, Illustrated by Edith F. Ebey, 1921, 24 pages, B&W illustrations
A VISIT FROM SAINT NICHOLAS by Clement C. Moore. Re-creation of the 1849 Illustrated Edition of which only two copies are known to exist. This copy reproduced from the copy in the Rare Book Division of the New York Public Library.
SANTA’S BOOK – THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS – “Lion Store Toyland”, Toledo – great color covers, 16 pages of the poem, all with black and red and black illustrations – again some loose pages.

and sample interior pages of each – note one binding is loose

Price – $25 – (order number eb1754)
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OTTOMAN EMPIRE IN MINIATURES – Five Folders with Color Plates – PRINTS

Published for the Turkish Republic Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ankara by The Historical Research Foundation, Ankara and Istanbul. Each folder was published with twenty color plate on card stock each measuring about 5 13/16 inches by 8 1/2 inches. Each folder has a list of plates on the inside flap, and the plate titles are also on the back of the numbered plate. Seldom are complete sets found, and this set is no different sadly, as follows (I have now checked the set three times to be sure):

Folder I –  lacks plates 6 – 10 – 16
Folder II – complete
Folder III – complete
Folder IV – complete
Folder V – lacks plates 83 – 84

Priced at less than 50 cents per plate

PRICE – $40 for the set
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An extensive archive (29 items) documenting building of Parkside in Camden

From 1990 to 1995 my bookshop was in Haddonfield, NJ. In working with some cartons put away since that time, I just uncovered an archive of 29 items surrounding the building of the Parkside neighborhood in Camden, NJ circa 1915. I believe this archive was in an estate of books and ephemera I purchased in 1990. The family was originally from Camden, and as I recall this collection was in that estate – thus, these items come from the original owners. I have mainly images, apparently from the early days since some show construction. Also there are a number of items relating to the building of the Parkside Baptist Church.

Parkside is a neighborhood in Camden, New Jersey. Located near the Cooper River (Camden is across the Delaware River from downtown Philadelphia). Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center and Harleigh Cemetery are located in the neighborhood. The Parkside Land Company officially opened the sale of lots for residential use on July 17, 1899. The neighborhood was sparsely populated until the early 20th century when Camden’s industrial expansion required more neighboring housing. The Camden-Haddonfield trolley line bolstered the appeal of the growing neighborhood. One realty group, Smith-Austermuhl Company, was responsible for contributing to the development of the Wildwood Avenue of Parkside. (adapted from Wikipedia) —  It is possible that this archive was at one time in the Smith family – the name on the back of many of the photographs.

Having worked with books, postcards and ephemera for decades, I can say that the individual items are worth from $10 to $20 each (particularly the Real Photo Post Cards – RPPC), and as a lot easily more. But, I like to get things into the correct home, and am willing to sell the lot for less to “get it home.”

Included are:

1] 12 Real Photo Postcards –  Postcard scenes include: PARK BOULEVARD (2) – PARKSIDE (overall view with open area – 1) – WILDWOOD AVE. LOOKING WEST (1) – HADDON AVE. (1) – KAIGHN AVE. LOOKING WEST (1) – BAIRD AVE. (1) – KENWOOD AVE (4 cards, 3 different, one duplicate) – PLAN OF PARKSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH (1).

2] 2 small photos – longer view of Parkside with fields; “Taken at ground breaking Mr. & Mrs. L.A. Williams, Rev. Chas Henderson” – this would be for the Parkside Baptist Church

3] approx. 6 inch by 3 1/2 inch photo of “Drawing of the 1st Church Building – suggested” – this image also in the church prospectus (item 7 below)

4] 8 photographs approx 6 1/2 inches by 4 5/8 inches — including as marked on rear: Memorial Day parade passing 1440 Kenwood Ave – Lot on which Church now stands – “Part of what is now Parkside and occupied by rows of houses – taken about 1909” shows only one house in a field – Looking toward E. Camden from Forest Hill Park – partially occupied by Admiral Wilson Blvd – Princess Ave. – Kaihn Ave. –  Wildwood Ave? — there are a couple minor folds/tears, tape remnants on rear from mounting — Rubber stamped on rear: Norman L. Smith – 105 Ogden Avenue – Collingswood 7, N.J. — probably the photographers stamp

5] Broadway Baptist Church Sunday School “token” dated 1868 (similar to a Reward of Merit) – soiled, shown is writing side, on other side is color litho of biblical scene

6] Letter dated July 12, 1915, to Parkside residents forwarding the “prospectus of the proposed new Baptist Church”

7] Eight page booklet “Prospectus of the New Baptist Church – Camden, New Jersey”  with elevations and floor plans

8] Parkside Baptist Church DEDICATORY SERVICES December 9 to 14, 1917, booklet. folds and wear – 12 pages

9] Mounted photo (image 6×4 inches) — E. M. GEORGE DRY GOODS, NOTIONS – on rear Uncle Edward George Aunt Ellen – taken 442 Pine St. Camden, NJ

10] Mounted photo (image 5 3/4 x 4 inches) — 8 folks posing with tools and sawing wood — on rear 34? River Ave.

SORRY – SOLD and “Going Home”

1982 – ANTHONY THE MAN THE COMPANY THE CAMERAS – AN AMERICAN PHOTOGRAPHIC PIONEER: 140 YEAR HISTORY OF A COMPANY FROM ANTHONY TO ANSCO TO GAF – by William and Estelle Marder.

Pine Ridge Publishing Company, good with good dust jacket (hardcover), 384 pages, packed with B&W illustrations. IMPORTANT NOTE – I am listing here instead of my on-line websites because THE CORNER OF ONE PAGE IS CUT OUT (p103/104) as seen below taking out one illustration, and what the buyer to see this. A fantastic history, one of 350 copies of the special edition, this copy comes from my own photo history library. Price reduced due to the cut corner.

above you can see glare on the dust jacket protector

below you can see where the image has been cut out from the corner

image below shows the limitation, and the table of contents

Price — $70
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I have collected World’s Fair items for over five decades. I have enjoyed the search, and enjoyed several fairs as well: 1964 New York World’s Fair, and Expo 67. In addition I have explored many sites of previous fairs: 1958 Brussels World’s Fair (and gone up into the Atomium); I have been in the Seattle Space Needle from 1962; of course the Eiffel Tower from 1889 (visited twice, climbing down the last time); Philadelphia fair sites from 1876 and 1926; I viewed state buildings from the 1902 Charleston Fair; toured California fair sites; and, have made two visits (so far) to the Pan-American Exposition held in Buffalo in 1901.

I cannot keep everything – and it is fun to share your treasures with others by passing them onto a new collection with the next conservator. I made a wonderful trip to Buffalo and the former fairgrounds and museums in 2019 – and want to go back, thus for now will keep my 1901 Pan-American items (here are links to that Buffalo Trip — LINK ONE and LINK TWO)

So, starting October, 2021, I will be listing some of my collection, so feel free to contact me, and place an order. Thank you, RAY

1902 – CHARLESTON AND THE SOUTH CAROLINA INTER-STATE AND WEST INDIAN EXPOSITION – WORLD’S FAIR BOOKLET

“AN ILLUSTRATED SOUVENIR OF THE BEAUTIFUL EXPOSITION AND OF HISTORIC PLACES AND PROMINENT FEATURES OF THE CITY.” Softcover souvenir fair booklet measuring about 7 3/4 inches by about 10 3/4 inches with about 68 pages packed with black and white illustrations with descriptions of the fair. PLEASE NOTE – pages are loose from the binding staples. The first eight pages are advertisements. Published by Robert Allan Reid, Publisher.

below image to show the loose centerfold pages

PRICE – $65

1907 – THE JAMESTOWN EXPOSITION ILLUSTRATED – OFFICIAL SOUVENIR FAIR BOOKLET

Nice softcover photographic booklet measuring about 8 3/4 inches by about 11 inches with about 40 pages of black and white illustrations of this fair. Published by Jamestown Official Photograph Corporation, Robert A. Reid, Director View Book Publications. Many of the state buildings remained after the fair to this day as housing at the Norfolk Naval Base. On a visit in the 1970s or 80s I talked with the Curator of the Hampton Roads Naval Museum, and sketched out the locations of the remaining buildings. My one page note and sketch along with his business card I will leave with the publication for posterity.

PRICE – $65

1865 – OIL CITY PETROLEUM REFINING COMPANY – STOCK CERTIFICATE

Oil City Petroleum and Refining Company, Venango County, Pennsylvania, certificate Number 23 issued January 6, 1865, for Four Hundred and Forty Five shares at $5 each. Oil City, PA, is known for its prominence in the initial exploration and development of the petroleum industry. It is located at a bend in the Allegheny River at the mouth of Oil Creek.

Embossed company seal, was folded into quarters, staple holes and two other holes near seal. Some foxing. Images making discoloration more pronounced. Great vignette of early drilling.

PRICE – $125

1864 – BULL CREEK OIL COMPANY – STOCK CERTIFICATE

Bull Creek Oil Company, Pleasants County, West Virginia, certificate for 100 shares ($10 each) issued September 30, 1864. When redeemed, this certificate was glued (as was the custom) to the original paperwork from the issuing stock book. Nice soft blue ink with early oil drilling vignette

The first image below shows the certificate as now attached to the original sales record.

sorry, colors are off on scans below – image above best portrays the actual certificate

PRICE – $75

1884 – IDA GOLD AND SILVER MINING COMPANY – EARLY ARIZONA STOCK CERTIFICATE

Issued 28 years before Arizona became a state, this certificate was issued June 7, 1884, for twelve shares of stock at $100 each. Toning spots more accentuated on scans than in person. The company was incorporated in Wisconsin.

PRICE – $125

Shipping $5 for one, two, or all three
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c1938 – MASKEE – A SHANGHAI SKETCHBOOK by FRIEDRICH H. SCHIFF

Accordian, concerina-style album, measuring about 7 5/8 inches by 10 1/2 inches, bound in red silk covers. 21 plates of hand-coloured cartoons. Copy 239 of an unstated limited edition, Title page signed by the artist. A couple plates exhibit some foxing spots – first two relatively blank pages the worst, and one illustrated below.

Friedrich H. Schiff (1908 -1968): was an Austrian-Jewish artist, arriving in Shanghai in 1930 when he was 22 years old, and lived there until 1947. He was a keen observer of the Chinese spirit, showing fascinating visual insights into life in Shanghai – then a major metropolis. His cartoons captured the foreign community’s interest in the local life, and were published in local newspapers and journals such as the China Journal & the North China Daily News. He illustrated several books on China, a number of Shanghai postcards, and decorated the walls of the well known French “Cercle Sportif” and other clubs. His works depicted some darker sides of life such as prostitutes, taxi-girls and beggars.

the image below shows one of two pages with the most noticeable foxing – on left

SORRY – SOLD – DECEMBER 2022

1883 – BROOKLYN BRIDGE OPENING INVITATION
TIFFANY & CO. ENGRAVING

Original engraved invitation by Tiffany & Co., measuring about 8 9/16 inches by 6 1/4 inches, printed on a “heavy stock” paper. With a light touch you can feel the raised engraving. The rear is blank. This invitation was never filled out and not used. Invitation only, no envelope. One of my favorite books is David McCullough’s THE GREAT BRIDGE written in 1972 about the bridge’s construction.

I purchased this invitation in the mid-1990s. I have an ebay auction sale from July 1998, with a used example selling for $615.59 (I will include that print out). One sold at Skinner’s for $764 that had been hand-colored and had a program and ticket. In 2018 at Leland’s Auction an example with a ticket sold for $1,998. And, another is currently offered on ebay for $4,500. PLEASE NOTE – the toning on my scanned image is more pronounced than the toning to the edges really is. Hard to see in real life.

Price – Sorry – SOLD
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1906 – BUSTER BROWN’S AMUSING CAPERS — COMIC STRIP

Copyright by New York Herald Company, published by Cupples & Leon Company, New York.

Cloth spine, pictorial boards (not thick and heavy) and pages printed on heavy newsprint. Measures about 11 inches by almost 16 inches, many of the stapled pages are loose from the staples, and the book block has separated from the flimsy cloth spine. This was a title done for a short life, thus hard to find after 100 years – the way it was produced was not for the long term. There are Fourteen pages of cartoon panels and with some chipping on the edges.

To help clarify — an extremely ephemeral item, not published to last. The single sheet pages are stapled on the left side. Printed on newsprint, which is fragile to begin with, some of the sheets have pulled loose from the staples. Also not bound to last, the book block itself is loose from the boards and the thin spine cloth. I tried to show this all in the images.

UNCOMMON – Price $250 – (Order Number eb1706)
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