The Copley Library-- Manuscripts Tracking the Development of the West and Mexico at Sotheby's New York
Sotheby’s New York will present the third offering of rare books and manuscripts from the illustrious James S. Copley Library on 15 October 2010. The eight-part sale commenced on April 14th and extends through April 2011 and this segment will highlight an important group of documents, pertaining to the growth of the Western states and Mexico. Mr. Copley was a well-known newspaperman and philanthropist in San Diego, and a substantial section of the sale reflects his particular interest in the early history of California.
Among the highlights of the sale is a rare autograph document signed by Fray JunÃpero Serra (1713-1784), the revered Franciscan friar who established missions from San Diego to San Francisco, then under Mexican control---an essential step in the settlement of California. The document encapsulates the very heart of his achievement, displaying a list of the California missions arranged from south to north, along with the names of their Franciscan pastors. Also included are copies of California’s “Declaration of Independence” from Mexico and the Constitution of the State of California.
In the sale there are also a number of first editions offering details of many intriguing treks of discovery to the Western states, chief among them a first edition of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark’s 2-volume ‘History of the Expedition…to the Pacific Ocean’ the “definitive account of the most important exploration of the North American Continent” (est. $80/120,000).
The sale will also include another impressive selection of American historical documents from the Library from such figures as Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, John Adams, John Paul Jones and Thomas Paine. On the same day, The Henry Strachey Papers relating to the American Revolution and the negotiation of the Preliminary Treaty of Paris will also be sold.
