Two auction catalogues from Stevens Auction Rooms (1891, 1926), very scarce

Characteristics: Two auction catalogues from Stevens Auction Rooms, very scarce (a lot of wear, some tears and some corners chipped or folded, including some penned notes – see photographs for condition):

(a) A Catalogue of several small Collections of Shells containing many rare species, Minerals, Fossils, Case of Rare Snakes, just received from Perka; Animals’ heads and Horns, Cases of Birds, Cabinets, &c., also the Remaining Portion of the Collection of Carabidae Fromed by the late F. Grut, Esq.; Exotic Lepidoptera in fine condition, etc., etc. Which will be Sold by Auction, by Mr. J. C. STEVENS, at his great rooms, No. 38, King Street, Covent Garden, W.C., on Tuesday, the 8^th of Decemner, 1891. 24 pp., 372 lots.

(b) A Catalogue of Natural History Specimens including the Collection of British Lepidoptera formed by the late W. E. Butler, Esq., F.E.S. A number of Entomological and other Cabinets. Books including “Birds of Europe” by H.E. Dresser; Barrett’s “Lepidoptera of the British Isles”; Yarrell’s “British Birds”; “The Ibis” and other Works on Birds, Shells, etc. Shells, also Heads and Horns of Big Game, Stuffed Animals, Eggs, etc., Which wil be sold by Stevens’s Auction Rooms Ltd. At their Great Rooms, 38 King Street, Covent Garden, and 15/16 Floral Street, London, W.C 2, On Tuesday, November 23^rd, 1926. 16 pp., 321 lots.

Stevens Auction Rooms was established by John Crace Stevens (1809-1859), probably in 1831, at 38 King Street, Covent Garden, London. It was specialized in the sale of objects of zoological and scientific interest, including other antiquities and curiosities. Samuel Stevens (1817-1899), brother of John, joined the company as partner in 1840. He was a respected entomologist and collector.

About us: We collect historic collectibles previously owned by famous collectors and/or institutions, and which represent milestones in the history of collecting. We consider all domains of collecting, from naturalia (minerals, meteorites, fossils, shells, etc.) to artificialia (coins, stamps, sport memorabilia, vintage toys, etc.). We consider objects with impressive pedigrees as well as rare collection catalogues and other unique documents. We have written articles on the history of collecting in various magazines and journals, including Meteorite, Colligo and Archives of Natural History. We make some of our specimens and documents available to other collectors from time to time.