![Item #228267 Two Autograph Letters, Signed, to collector Norman James of Baltimore, Maryland, March 30 and April 17, [1925], discussing sporting books and prints, The Natural History of the Ducks, and Phillips’ idea for a bibliography of American sporting books. John C. Phillips.](https://jamescumminsbookseller.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/228267.jpg?width=768&height=1000&fit=bounds&auto=webp&v=1693416489)
Phillips: “I’m Catalogue Mad”
Two Autograph Letters, Signed, to collector Norman James of Baltimore, Maryland, March 30 and April 17, [1925], discussing sporting books and prints, The Natural History of the Ducks, and Phillips’ idea for a bibliography of American sporting books.
Wenham, Massachusetts: March 30 and April 17, [1925].
Price: $950.00
About the item
1-1/2 pp.; 1 p., pen and ink on Windyknob stationery. 8vo. Phillips: “I’m Catalogue Mad”. Old folds. Fine.
Item #228267
To the noted collector of sporting and color-plate books Norman James, of 300 Goodwood Road, Roland Park (see catalogues of his library, sold at Anderson Galleries, November13-23, 1928).
From the first letter, dated March 30: “You gave me a wonderful afternoon yesterday and I shall long remember your house and that view … I’m looking over my few prints (about 38) and find the following which I don’t remember seeing with you, although most likely you have them stowed away among those we didn’t have time for: ‘Snipes’ drawn by J. Herring … (no date but looks very old); Wild Duck Shooting — A Good Day’s Sport’ N. Currier 1854 — a very fine one and I’ve never seen it except this one copy (large) Two figures by L. O. Earll, Pub by A.C. Zink 1880. Man with new breach loader talking to old market hunter with muzzle loader & ducks on back.
“Another thing I’d like to see would be a catalogue of the old American books on sport. [Charles] Sheldon and you also would have about all of these, and I have a fair lot, but mine are more along old Am. books on birds and mammals. Guess you think I’m catalogue mad & think I will be by the time I get out the bibliog. for the duck book. … Hope to get away for west end of Alaska Penin in early May.” For the privately distributed sets of his monumental Natural History of the Ducks, a finely illustrated work in four volumes, Phillips issued a separately printed Bibliography in an edition of 75 copies.
The second letter, dated April 17, begins “I’m proud to think I have one or two American prints that you have not. The only worth while one is the large duck shooting picture …” Phillips also mentions The Natural History of the Ducks: “If you think of any duck ‘cranks’ who would be worth circularizing for my duck book, I wish you’d let me know ….”
Phillips did indeed pursue his idea for a catalogue: his Bibliography of American Sporting Books drew upon the library of Charles Sheldon and was published in 1930. It remains an essential reference.
