A previous year's silent auction in the display cabinet at the entrance to the Mercer Island Library. (Photo by Joel Wachs)
The Friends of the Mercer Island Library will hold its annual Silent Auction of very special books and media beginning at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 16, 2011. The auction will continue during regular library hours through Tuesday, September 6, 2011. All bids must be made in writing at the Mercer Island Library. The list of materials in this year’s auction is below. All of the materials on auction are displayed in the glass case in the Mercer Island Library lobby along with instructions for bidding. The Mercer Island Library is located at 4400 88th Avenue SE, Mercer Island, Washington.
All proceeds from the Silent Auction go to support Mercer Island Library programs and activities.
|
Title of book |
Min. Bid |
| 1. Katha Upanishad translated by Swami Ambikananda Sarawati, 2001. Beautifully illustrated text from the most popular of all the classic Hindu scriptures. Excellent condition. | $4 |
| 2. Robots, Tin Toy Dreams by Teruhisa Kitahara, 1983. The book is a photographic record of a fabulous collection of Japanese toy robots selected from the author’s collection of over 10,000. | $9 |
| 3. The World of Charles Addams with introduction by Wilfrid Sheed, 1991. Full page black and white cartoons from one of New Yorker magazines most renowned humorists. Excellent condition. | $8 |
| 4. Nethercutt Collection, The Cars of San Sylmar by Dennis Adler, 1999. Beautiful photos and text on the most elegant classic cars from 1886 on, including Rolls Royce Phantoms, Duesenbergs, Packards, Cadillacs, and more. Excellent condition. | $20 |
| 5. Girlhood Embroidery, American Samplers & Pictorial Needlework 1650-1850 by Betty Ring, 1993. Well-illustrated in both black and white and color with a textual synthesis that links the samplers with the social history of young girls in America during the nation’s formative years. | $7 |
| 6. The Legacy of the Puppy, text by Hiromi Nakano, photos by Hiroyuki Ueki and Toyofumi Fukuda, 2003. Very charming photos and text covering nearly 100 breeds, with advice on acquiring and raising each breed. | $6 |
| 7. Maison, French Country Style by Elizabeth Hilliard, 1994. This is a practical sourcebook that captures the essence of classic French country style. | $4 |
| 8. Montblanc Collectables, Creations of Passion, A Limited Edition Collector’s Guide. | $3 |
| 9. The Pacific, Hell was an Ocean Away by Hugh Ambrose, 2010. This text was written to accompany the HBO series of the same name. It is a powerful blend of first-person immediacy and historical perspective. | $5 |
| 10. Aftermath, World Trade Center Archive by Joel Meyerwitz, 2006. Moving full-page, full-color photos forming the only existing photographic record of Ground Zero after the attacks at the World Trade Center on 9/11. The photographer-author was granted special access to the site in the days and weeks following the attack. ISBN 0-7148-4655-4 | $15 |
| 11. Spain in the Age of Exploration 1492-1819 edited by Chiyo Ishikawa. This gorgeous book was written to accompany an Seattle Art Museum exhibition of works of art and science from Spain. the excellent text recounts how Spain transformed itself from a small country into a global superpower in the years following 1492. | $14 |
| 12. Royal Panoply, Brief Lives of the English Monarchs by Carolyn Erickson, 2003. The well-illustrated book present multi-faceted portraits of the rulers of England. Each monarch’s unique character is presented and placed in historical context. | $7 |
| 13. Science, The Definitive Guide, editor-in-chief Adam Hart-Davis, 2009. This encyclopedic and lavishly illustrated book is squarely within the tradition of the fascinating and comprehensive books produced by the publishing house DK. It covers all the major sciences and mathematics. | $14 |
| 14. Theory of Evolution: A History of Controversy, Part 1, 2002. A set of 6 audio CDs presenting 12 30-minute lectures by Pulitzer Prize-winning Edward J. Larson, Professor of History and Law at the University of Georgia. The set also contains a printed guide to the lectures. The lectures are part of The Great Courses series on science and mathematics. | $9 |
| 15. The Story of Human Language by John McWhorter, 2004. This set consists of 4 video DVDs containing 36 30-minute lecture and 3 printed books containing lecture transcripts and course guidebooks. The work is produced as part of the Great Courses series. The author has written widely on the structure and power of language. | $9 |
| 16. Ancient Empires before Alexander Parts 1, 2, and 3, 2009. This 3-part set contains 6 video DVDs presenting 36 30-minute lectures by Professor Robert L. Dise, Jr. The series is produced by The Great Courses in the area of Ancient & Medieval History. | $9 |
| 17. The Art of Bird Illustration, A Visual Tribute to the Lives and Achievements of the Classic Bird Illustrators by Maureen Lambourne, 1990. The art of bird illustration is a time-honored craft. This lavishly illustrated volume pays tribute to master practitioners of the craft including Audubon and Edward Lear. Authors are presented chronologically to present a history of the craft. Excellent condition. | $8 |
| 18. Animal, The Definitive Visual Guide to the World’s Wildlife by the Smithsonian Institute, Editors-in-chief David Burnie & Don E. Wilson, 2001. Another outstanding book from the DK publishing house. In lavish illustration and comprehensive text the book covers mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates. | $15 |
| 19. Arctic Wings: Birds of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge with CD, This is a celebration in word and image of the birds who return each year to the Arctic National wildlife Refuge. Includes 200 color photos and essays by noted writers, biologists, conservationists. | $5 |
| 20. Tuscany: Inside the Light by Joel Meyerowitz. This book contains gorgeous photos of landscapes in the Tuscan region of Italy. No inscriptions, book is in excellent condition. | $6 |
| 21. New York From the Air by John Tauranac, 2001. The book presents some of the best known and loved buildings and monuments in New York from the unimpeded vantage of an airplane. | $5 |
| 22. Charles M. Russell Paintings of the Old American West by Charles M. Russell, 1978, PLUS a bonus book of letters from Russell about his paintings and works. This bundled set contains both visual and written work from the noted artist. Note that the former book has a black marker scribble on the inside front cover and the latter title has no dust jacket and is inscribed in ink “Christmas, 1979.” | $6 |
| 23. Albrecht Durer and the Animal and Plant Studies of the Renaissance by Fritz Koreny, 1986. Published by the New York Graphic Society, this book beautifully reprints paintings by the classic German artist, Albrecht Durer. Slight wrinkling of top of dust jacket, otherwise excellent condition. | $25 |
| 24. Edward Hopper: Light and Dark by Gerry Souter, 2007. Published in England, this book contains beautiful reproductions of paintings by one of America’s best known and most recognizable artists. | $20 |
| 25. Phantograms from Nature, Western US by Barry Rothstein, 2005. A phantogram is a photo brought into 3 dimensions with the use of special glasses, two pairs of which are included in the spiral-bound book. | $4 |
| 26. African-American Wisdom: A Book of Quotations and Proverbs, 2003. Charming visuals to accompany aphorisms and wise statements from some of the world’s most renowned African-American authors. A few scratches on the dust jacket, otherwise excellent condition. | $4 |
| 27. Pearl Jam Place/Date text by Charles Mercer, photos by Lance Peterson, 1998. The book is a record of a performance by the classic Seattle rock band, Pearl Jam. The book is autographed by the photographer. | $14 |
| 28. From the Land of the Totem Poles: The Northwest Coast Indian Art Collection at the American Museum of Natural History by Aldona Jonaitis, 1988. Published by the UW Press, the book is filled with beautiful full-page color photos of masks, totems, and other artifacts made by Northwest Coast Indian artists. | $12 |
| 29. Gould’s Exotic Birds by Maureen Lambourne AND Ehret’s Flowering Plants by Gill Sounders, 1988. Both books present paintings by natural history illustrators from the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Both are filled with full-color, full-page illustrations. | $7 |
| 30. The Only Game in Town, Sports Writing from the New Yorker, 2010. For more than 80 years, The New Yorker magazine has been home to some of the toughest, wisest, funniest, and most moving sports writing around. This volume reprints reportage and analysis, profound profiles, and sports tributes in a classic collection of 32 pieces from the magazine. | $9 |
| 31. 21: The Final Unfinished Voyage of Jack Aubrey by Patrick O’Brian, 2004. This volume presents the three chapters which constitute a fragment of Patrick O’Brian’s projected 21st novel. These chapters are all that O’Brian completed before he died. The novel, untitled at the time of O’Brian’s death, would have been the chronicle of Jack Aubrey’s mission to South Africa to continue the plot begun in novel 20 (entitled Blue at the Mizzen). The book on auction here gives a printed version of the 3 chapters of novel 21 including O’Brian’s corrections to the typescript and a facsimile of his manuscript which goes several pages beyond the end of the typescript to include a duel between Stephen Maturin and an impertinent office who is courting Maturin’s fiancée. | $7 |
| 32. The College Football Book, 2008 by The Editors of Sports Illustrated. Comprehensive, encyclopedic, and well-illustrated. A great reference and record book for lovers of college football. | $5 |
| 33. Kuala Lumpur: A Sketchbook by Chen Voon Fee, 2001. Charming watercolor landscape documenting travels in one of the most interesting cities in Asia with its blend of Malay, Chinese and Indian cultures and corresponding traditional and colonial architectural treasures. | $9 |
| 34. Women Empowered: Inspiring Change in the Emerging World by Phil Borges, photographer, with foreword by Madeleine Albright, 2007 AND associated companion pamphlet Stirring the Fire by Phil Borges. Published by the art house, Rizzoli, the book documents accomplishments of ordinary women in developing and war-ravaged countries who have broken through the barriers of oppression to make a positive difference in their communities is brilliantly told through radiant photography and riveting profiles. The heroic examples set by these women, whose bravery and determination enabled them to move beyond victimization to leadership, speak to the universal themes of courage, empowerment, and human rights. | $9 |
| 35. The Illuminated Rumi by Jalal Al-Din Rumi translation by Coleman Barks with classical art selections and graphics provided by Michael Green., 1997. Rumi is one of the world’s best loved mystical poets, a philosopher and scholar with a wonderful gift for illuminating the spiritual in everyday life. Selections of his work are presented here in fine translation and accompanied by lovely art work. | $9 |
| 36. The Blues Album, Cover Art, 1996. Contains 100s of examples of album covers from blues greats including Hopkins, John Lee Hooker, Bo Diddley, and Tamp Red with many full-color and black-and-white illustrations. | $8 |
| 37. Treasures of American Folk Art: From the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Center by Beatrix T. Rumford and Carolyn J. Weekley, 1989. Lovely illustrations of American folk paintings, carvings, toys, quilts, scrimshaw, bird lures, pottery, and more from the collection amassed by one of America’s foremost folk art collectors. | $9 |
| 38. Book of the International Film Poster by Gregory J. Edwards, 1999. This volume is a visual history of the art of cinema advertising. It is profusely illustrated in black-and-white and color. It may serve as a trip down memory lane for movies lovers. | $8 |
| 39. Visions of Love and Life: Pre-Raphaelite Art from the Birmingham Collection, England by Stephen Wildman, Jan Marsh, and John Christian, 1995. This lavishly illustrated book was produced as the catalogue for a show of art from the Pre-Raphaelite Period in England that toured the US in the late 1990, including a run at the Seattle Art Museum. Soft cover binding. | $20 |
| 40. Paris to Portland: Impressionist and Post Impressionist Paintings from the Portland Art Museum. Lovely reproductions of some of the world’s best loved paintings from an exhibit at the Portland Art Museum. | $5 |
| 41. Leonardo The Scientist by Carlo Zammattio, 1981, Leonardo the Artist by Anna Maria Brizio, 1982, and Leonardo the Inventor by Ludwig H. Heyenreich, 1982. This 3-volume set covers the three aspects of the genius of Leonardo da Vinci. The books provide both a biographical and a critical account of daVinci’s work. Some fading on the dust cover of one of the volumes. | $10 |
| 42. Tramp Art, A Folk Phenomenon by Helaine Fendelman and Jonathan B. Taylor, 1999. Tramp art, though primitive, is astoundingly intricate in its construction. The decorative objects are made by layering notched pieces of wood to create ornate surfaces. This catalogue contains photographs of many pieces. | $10 |
| 43. Wacky Packages by The Topps Company, Inc. with interview with Art Spiegelman and afterword by Jay Lynch, 2008. Beginning in 1967 the Topps Company has produced a series of satirical stickers that spoofed popular products and well-known brands. The series of stickers over the years has gained the name Wacky Packs. This book celebrates the 35th year of Wacky Packs by reproducing full=page and full color the wacky pack images from 1973 and 1974. In all 223 rare and hard to find stickers are included. | $10 |
| 44. Individual volumes by H.G. Wells, Wm Shakespeare, E.A. Poe, Walt Whitman, and Robert Frost. This matched 5-volume set presents primarily poetry by five of the world’s greatest poets. | $12 |
| 45. Oskar Kokoschka Watercolors-Drawings-Writings A splendid art book on the subject of a lesser-published artist. Aquarelles are beautifully presented and of high quality. Book has a musty smell and the protective plastic has some tears and missing pieces. | $25 |
| 46. The Grateful Dead. Limited slip case edition, 2003. Collector’s item. Only 1,000 copies ever printed. | $150 |
| 47. The Great Book of French Impressionism by RH Value Publishing, 1987. Beautifully illustrated, over-sized compendium of art from the Impressionist Movement in France. | $9 |
| 48. Landscape and Memory by Simon Schama, 1995. A comprehensive scholarly investigation of the roots of landscape painting by one of the world’s foremost art historians. | $6 |
| 49. Vincent—A Complete Portrait by Bernard Denvir, 1994. This well-illustrated book presents reproductions fo the series of self-portraits painted by Vincent Van Gogh during the 10 years of his active painting life. The book also includes excerpts from his writings, a detailed family tree, a biographical index, and a chronology of Van Gogh’s life. | $10 |
| 50. Art & Wonder: An Illustrated Anthology of Visionary Poetry by Kate Farrell, 1996. Published in collaboration with NY’s Metropolitan Museum or Art, this charming book pairs inspirational poems with paintings from the museum’s famous collection. | $5 |
| 51. Aunt Sallie’s Lament by Margaret Kaufman. The first popular adaptation of an extraordinary collaboration between Claire Van Vliet, one of the country’s most renowned book artists, and Margaret Kaufman, a deeply insightful poet. This inspirational story of a southern quilter is printed on richly colored, uniquely shaped pages that create a layered effect, mimicking the patterns of a quilt, gathering words as stitches, gazing back to a moment lost but not forgotten, to a love burned deep. | $8 |
| 52. Vertebrae by Samuel Green. Autographed copy by the Inaugural Poet Laureate for WA State. Poems 1978-1994. Women Empowered by Phil Borges with the booklet Stirring the Fire, both autographed. | $35 |
| 53. Planet Drum: A Celebration of Percussion and Rhythm by Mickey Hart. Mickey’s Hart’s monumental work on drumming. | $6 |
| 54. The World’s Best Architecture Past and Present by D.M. Field. Wonderful examples of architecture through out history and from so many interesting parts of the world. | $6 |
| 55. Impatient Seas and Other Poems by Franklin Epler, 1937. A collector’s edition of poetry published in the late 30s by Seattle’s Ivy Press. This paper-bound volume is illustrated with black and white prints by the poet’s two daughters, Daphne and Venetia Epler, who were successful artists in California in the mid-20th century. The book is inscribed in ink “Love to my little pal, my bell, Franklin Epler.” Paper binding, some wear and a few bent page corners but generally good condition. | $10 |
| 56. Lust for Life, A Novel About Vincent Van Gogh by Irving Stone, text from 1934, this edition printed in 1937. This edition of the famous novel was originally made for the members of the Heritage Club. The novel is illustrated with 150 paintings, drawings, and etching by Van Gogh himself. Some wear is visible on the book and dust jacket edges. | $9 |
| 57. The Venetian’s Wife – A Strangely Sensual Tale of a Renaissance Explorer, a Computer and a Metamorphosis by Nick Bantock. By the author of the “Griffin & Sabine” trilogy, written in the same mystical, or perhaps whimsical, style with the wonderful art of the first three, about a woman torn between two places in time. | $5 |
| 58. Kafka’s Soup : A Complete History of World Literature in 14 Recipes by Mark Crick. In this entertaining lit/cooking book, Crick turns back the clock on some of the most famous authors of our time, bringing them to life through 14 recipes that will fill your mind with literary wonder and your stomach with delicious food. You’ll experience Proust’s delicate creation of tiramisu, Steinbeck’s earthy and delicious mushroom risotto, and the Marquis de Sade’s sinfully rich boned stuffed poussins, along with eleven other creations. | $5 |
| 59. Irish Country Cooking by Helen Walsh. Sixty-three authentic Irish recipes. | $5 |
| 60. Simply Tuscan Recipes for a Well-Lived Life by Pino Luongo. The Tuscan people enjoy themselves by maintaining an uncomplicated attitude. It’s about how the deep connection to nature. It’s about looking at daily life-food, fashion, and entertaining-through the window of simplicity. | $10 |
| 61. Boozy Baker by Lucy Baker. The Boozy Baker is a fun collection of recipes for cakes, pies, tarts, cookies, and more, all of which contain a healthy dose of alcohol. Home bakers will recognize classic treats such as profiteroles, peach cobbler, and spiced Bundt cake, and be delighted by the ways they are reinvented with chocolate stout, almond liqueur, and even Jagermeister. | $10 |
| 62. Picturing Wright : An Album from Frank Lloyd Wright’s Photographer by Pedro Guerrero. A warm and intimate look at the world’s most famous architect. 143 pages filled with photos. | $15 |
| 63. Classic Houses of Seattle by Caroline T. Swope. With 300 photographs and illustrations, both historic and contemporary, this text provides a comprehensive overview of the city’s major residential architectural styles, including Victorian, Craftsman, Tudor Revival, and Modern. The homes featured range from the showplaces of the wealthy to humble cottages and bungalows in residential neighborhoods. | $15 |
| 64. Griffin & Sabine: An Extraordinary Correspondence and the Golden Mean: In Which the Extraordinary Correspondence of Griffin & Sabine Concludes (2 Volumes) by Nick Bantock. The strange and intriguing correspondence of Griffin and Sabine. And since each letter must be pulled from its own envelope, the reader has the delightful, forbidden sensation of reading someone else’s mail. Lovers Griffin and Sabine find their passion tested by new obstacles, including a mysterious intruder. | $10 |
| 65. Pacific Northwest, The Beautiful Cookbook by Kathy Casey. 200 beautifully photographed recipes; informative and descriptive regional text by author and historian Lane Morgan and stunning scenic photography by John Callanan round out this glorious celebration of the cuisine and heritage of the Pacific Northwest. | $15 |
| 66. The Principles of Uncertainty by Maira Kalman. 2007. A beautiful production of a book, 325 pages of illustrations, photographs, collage style musings (on frangipani, flowers, Freud, fruit platters, forgetting, floating into the future, etc.) by children books illustrator – artist, Maria Kalman, a resident of New York. Illustrated – black handwritten text on white boards. | $10 |
| 67. Beatrice Potter’s Letters by Judy Taylor. 1989. From a collection of over 1400 letters, Judy Taylor assembled a selection which documents every stage of Beatrice Potter’s life | $10 |
| 68. Legends of King Arthur. Edited by Richard Barber. 2000. FolioSociety with slipcase. | $12 |
| 69. Dr. Seuss Pops Up. 2005. A celebration of seven Seuss classics. Slight wear. | $10 |
| 70. Orlando (The Marmalade Cat). A Seaside Holiday. By Kathleen Hale.1991. Beautifully illustrated in the manner of the 1952 original, this book conveys the magic of childhood seaside adventures. | $25 |
| 71. East of the Sun and West of the Moon illustrated by Kay Nielsen. Old Tales from the North. Fine color and b/w illustrations. Dust jacket clipped. | $20 |
| 72. From Sea to Shining Sea compiled by Amy Cohn. More than 140 American folktales, folk songs, poems, and essays, placed in historical context, are brought together with over 300 original illustrations by some of today’s most distinguished artists. Dust jacket clipped. | $7 |
| 73. The Illustrated Wee Free Men, a story of Discworld. Watercolor illustrations by Stephen Player throughout, some foldout. | $5 |
| 74. Dark Tower by Robin Furth–2 volumes: Treachery and Long Way Home Marvel Comics 2009 and 2008 Hardcover | $12 |
| 75. Wizardology: The Book of the Secrets of Merlin. Pull tabs with “magical” effects, attached booklets, a phoenix’s feather, a scrap of Fairy Flag, and more-all sandwiched between “crystal” gems embedded in the front and rear covers. | $10 |
| 76. Dr. Ernest Drake’s Dragonology: The Complete Book of Dragons. A clever fantasy book of dragon lore replete with flaps, envelopes, windows, inside pages to open, plus beads and dragonskin samples – a colorful treasury of stuff to satisfy the most devoted dragon fan. | $10 |
| 77. Egyptology: Search for the Tomb of Osiris. Beautiful gilded cover with colorful hawk and 3 jewels. Based on Emily Sands journal of her visit to Egypt in 1926. Wonderful replica attachments throughout the book such as postcards, pyramids, sample of Mummy cloth, game of Senet board and dice, Mummy coffin, and more. | $8 |
| 78. Fairyopia: A Flower Fairy Journal by Cicely Mary Barker. Protected and hidden by a society of fairy lovers for over 80 years, the secret fairy journal of Cicely Mary Barker is available for the first time. Learn what really happened during that magical summer of 1920 when she discovered the secret world of the Flower Fairies. | $10 |
| 79. Wind-Up Tractor Book (Usborne Farmyard Tales) by Gillian Doherty, Heather Amery. You can play and tell stories with this fabulous interactive book. Wind up the tractor and watch it whizz around the tracks, and use the pieces to tell the stories. | $18 |
| 80. Pirateology: The Pirate Hunter’s Companion. This magnificent resource offers adventurers and treasure hunters, landlubbers and sailors alike heretofore hidden knowledge of the exploits of one wickedly daring woman pirate and the lore of pirate ships, weapons, dress, customs, codes, and pirate routes. | $10 |
| 81. Children’s Encyclopedia of American History. DK Children. Featuring more than 1,000 photos, plus maps, charts, and profiles of famous Americans, this major reference is an essential resource for helping children relate today’s news to the events of the past. | $8 |
| 82. Persepolis and Persepolis 2. 2 volume set. 2003/2004. Memoir-in-comics of growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. | $10 |
| 83. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain. Illustrated by Donald McKay. Illustrated Junior Library edition 1946. Excellent condition especially for its age. Slipcase. Many black and white illustrations as well as several full page color ones. | $5 |
| 84. Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne. 1969. Franklin Library edition. Lovely edition with gilded edges, spine and cover; illustrations are reproductions of the woodcut, black and white illustrations done for the first edition of the novel published in 1870. | $22 |
| 85. The Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony Differlizzi and Holly Black. Five hardcover volumes in slipcase. Still in original shrink-wrap. It all started with a mysterious letter left at a tiny bookstore for authors Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black. Its closing lines: “We just want people to know about this. The stuff that has……..” | $20 |
| 86. Desperate Housewives. First season on DVD. Still in original shrink-wrap. | $8 |
| 87. Family Guy, Volume Four. 14 episodes on disc. Still in original shrink wrap. | $6 |
| 88. The Metaphysical Club by Louis Menand. A story of ideas in America. If past is prologue, then The Metaphysical Club by Louis Menand may suggest an intellectual course for the United States in the 21st century. This enthralling study of Oliver Wendell Holmes, William James, Charles Sanders Peirce, and John Dewey shows how these four men developed a philosophy of pragmatism following the Civil War, a period Menand likens to post-cold-war times. Together, “they were more responsible than any other group for moving American thought into the modern world.”Compact discs. | $5 |
Tags: Friends of the Mercer Island Library, Mercer Island, Mercer Island Library, Silent Auction