Our Premier Autumn Auction | Session I | October 21, 2025
Tue, Oct 21, 2025 10:00AM EDT
Live Auction
Lot 188
Rare Fables of Aesop, According to Sir Roger L'Estrange, Illustrated by Alexander Calder, One of 20, with Signed Original Calder Illustration
Estimate: $10,000 - $15,000
Sold for
$6,500
Sold Price excludes BP
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $25 |
| $100 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $200 |
| $3,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,000 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
Paris/New York: Harrison of Paris/Minton, Balch and Company, 1931, one of 20 copies marked "not for sale", with rare, original signed Calder ink drawing hinged in after front free fly, approx. 9-7/8 x 7-1/4 in.; maroon paper covered cardboard slipcase and cover, printed paper labels with particulars to spine of cover and front of slipcase, in publisher's glassine wrapping, title printed to front of dust jacket of Guarro's Spanish pure rag paper with colored silk threads, over/adhered to cardboard boards, pastedowns and text block of Guarro's Spanish pure rag paper, deckled edges, large octavo approx. 3/4 x 8 x 10-3/8 in.
Provenance: Michael L. Laughlin Estate, Aiken, South Carolina
Note: This copy, like the limited edition of 50, is printed on Guarro’s Spanish pure rag paper, but unlike any other known copies, has an unnumbered, signed original ink drawing by Calder hinged in at the front. This drawing does not appear in the published work, but seems to illustrate the story of A Dog and A Thief on page 116. Another known copy of the 20 “not for sale” editions with a different, printed blue paper jacket appears to have been printed on Auvergne paper like the larger run of 595, and lacks an original drawing, indicating that there is some variance within the limited edition of 20, and emphasizing the rarity of this copy.
Available payment options
Purchased items will be available for pick up or shipping from our Asheville, North Carolina auction facility within ten business days of the auction, or will be assessed a storage fee of $5.00 per day, per item. Purchaser agrees that packing and shipping is done at the purchaser's risk and that the purchaser will pay in advance all packing expenses, materials, carrier fees and insurance charges. At our discretion, items will either be packed by an agent such as a packaging store or Brunk Auctions. Please allow two weeks for shipping after payment is received. Shipment of large items is the responsibility of the purchaser. We are happy to provide names of carriers and shippers if a purchaser so requests. Brunk Auctions will have no liability for any loss or damage to shipped items.
Michael L. Laughlin Estate, Aiken, South Carolina
original art with area of toning along left edge, areas of faint marking to top third of paper, neither affecting image； fading, areas of marking to slipcase, some small losses and and lifting to paper at edges and corners of slipcase, label to front of slipcase with single instance of foxing, fading to spine of slip cover, some minor losses to paper label not affecting text, text block very clean throughout, approx. 2-3/4 in. chip along fore edge of page 111/112 possibly as made, some separating at bottom of final gathering/signature
Note - Brunk Auctions makes every effort to offer accurate and thorough information, but encourages prospective bidders to inspect items in person whenever possible. Condition statements are provided as a courtesy for general guidance and should not be considered complete or definitive. They do not represent a warranty or assumption of liability by Brunk Auctions. Certain condition issues may not be specifically noted in the report but may be visible in the accompanying photographs, which are considered part of the overall condition report. Please refer to our Terms of Sale for complete information and contact us for additional photos or information as needed.
