The Magnificent Library of Norman Bobins: Part Two, The Colourful World

Christie’s is proud to present The Magnificent Library of Norman Bobins: Part Two, The Colourful World, on 13 July. This live sale, comprising about 340 lots, represents one the world’s most comprehensive gatherings of books illustrated by fine hand-coloured and colour-printed plates.

Concentrating on the period spanning from the second-half of the 18th century and through the 19th century, the library reflects Mr Bobins’ passions, namely history, art and travel, with sporting, satire and military subjects as dominant themes. The geographical scope of the collection is global, with works illustrating the Ottoman Empire, the Middle East, India and Australia. Most of the books in the collection relating to the Americas will be sold in a dedicated sale at Christie’s New York on 16 June, The Magnificent Library of Norman Bobins: Part One, American Color.

The publication of travel books with beautiful and enticing illustrations assisted the emergence of a tourism industry, and books can be found in the collection promoting the likes of the Swiss Alps. These in turn, stimulated a demand for books illustrating regional costume and local customs. Variations of topographical books in the form of panoramas of views and cityscapes are also represented, some of them even depicting horse races. Linked to this theme are many sporting books in the collection, including a number illustrated with fine original watercolours, and many with importance provenances, such as purchases made at the H.R.H. Duke of Gloucester sale at Christie’s in 2006.

Explore the rest of the Classic Week auction series.