Offering a strong case to the book collectors

Bibliophiles will want to attend a viewing at the James Adam salerooms during the next few days since there are bookcases galore…

Bibliophiles will want to attend a viewing at the James Adam salerooms during the next few days since there are bookcases galore on offer there at next Wednesday morning's auction. Among the best are a William IV mahogany example, with a moulded cornice above twin-glazed panel doors (estimate £2,500-£3,500), and a George III mahogany breakfront bookcase, the moulded cornice above two astragal glazed doors, one of which is missing (£2,000-£3,000). A George III-style mahogany bureau bookcase carries a pre-sale estimate of £1,000-£1,500, as does a Victorian mahogany bookcase. Another Victorian piece with three glazed panel doors is expected to make the slightly higher price of £1,500-£2,000, as is a George IV mahogany bookcase with gothic panel glazing bars. There is plenty of other furniture for sale, such as a very substantial walnut-framed three-piece bergere suite (£2,500-£3,000) and a suite of four Irish Victorian upholstered window seats, bearing the stamp of P. Beaky of Dublin (£1,000-£1,500).

Then there is a late 19th century mahogany Carlton House desk, with sufficient pigeon holes, post boxes, drawers and cupboards for even the most ardent correspondent (£3,500-£4,500), a distinctly substantial Irish mahogany single scroll-end chaise longue and matching chair (£1,500-£2,000) and, among a number of dining tables, an inlaid mahogany triple pillar example in the Regency manner, with three extra leaves (£5,000-£7,000). The last of these might be bought, along with a set of 12 (10 and two carvers) 19th century mahogany-framed dining chairs with shield backs in the Hepplewhite style (£8,000-£10,000). This sale also contains a handful of curiosities, such as a previously unrecorded piece of second-period Belleek; a centrepiece in the form of a conch shell supported by a dragon, it has an estimate of £3,000-£5,000. Then there is a large French art nouveau bronze set, comprising a woman wearing a flowing dress accompanied by two Great Danes (£3,000-£4,000). Finally, Lot 216 previously came up for sale when James Adam handled the clearance auction of Tullyvin House, Cootehill, Co Cavan, in June 1978. A pair of 19th century German porcelain baluster urns, with covers and stands coated with applied flowers, its estimate is £2,500-£3,500.