The Magnificent Library of Norman Bobins: Part One, American Color

Christie’s is honored to represent the Collection of Norman Bobins at auction. Mr. Bobins, of Chicago, began collecting color-plate books over 40 years ago. By his own account, the pursuit of these lavishly illustrated volumes united his four passions of history, art, travel and books. The collection traces the historical use of color in publishing, from hand-colored copper-plate engravings, mezzotints and aquatints, to lithography and chromolithography. All methods are used to create sumptuous books showing landscapes, peoples, artwork, and historical events that the reading public found new and marvelous. 

Part One of the Collection focuses on the Americas, including Western Americana, Canada and the Arctic, the Caribbean, and South America. Highlights include: Thomas Moran’s Yellowstone National Park, published by Louis Prang in 1876; Karl Bodmer’s Travels in North America from 1839-1841, a German edition with very rare original hand-coloring; an exceptionally rare edition of J.P. Cockburn’s Views of Quebec from 1833; and titles by John Hill, George Harvey, James Otto Lewis, Henry Lewis, Augustus Kollner, Ramon Torres-Mendes, Samuel Cresswell, et al. 

Highlights will be on view at Christie's New York from 20–24 May, coinciding with Old Master Week.