Wednesday 30th October 2024 - Sharna Bennett
In an exciting event for collectors everywhere, Unique Auctions in Lincoln is set to showcase a stunning collection of religious texts from the esteemed historian and theologian, Dr. Robert S. Paul (1918-1992).
Dr Paul’s legacy is evident in this carefully curated assortment, set to go under the hammer on 10th November in Unique Auctions’ Antiques & Collectors Auction.
Browse the Full Catalogue Here
This collection features over 40 books, many of which are rare editions, in exceptional condition, and include works seldom seen at auction. Among these items are pieces by theological icons like Jean Calvin and Richard Baxter. A standout of the collection is a 1592 edition of Calvin’s Institutio Christianae Religionis, printed in Geneva, which is estimated to sell for between £1000 and £2000. This edition is valued for its rarity.
Calvin, Jean, Institutio Christianae Religionis, Johanne Calvino Author. 1592, Geneva
Other notable works include Calvin’s In Omnes Pauli Apostoli Epistolas (1556) and Baxter’s A Christian Directory (1673), expected to fetch similar values between £1000-£2000 and £400-£600, respectively. Alongside these theological heavyweights, collectors will find addition gems such as Henry Ainsworth’s Annotations upon the Five Books of Moses (1627) and a rare first edition of Mary Wolfestonecraft’s Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792), with an estimate of £300-£500.
Calvin, Jean, In omnes Pauli Apostoli Epistolas, atque etiam in Epistolam ad Hebræos, item in Canonicas Petri Iohannis, Iacobi, et Iudæ, quam etiam Catholicæ vocantur. 1556, Lutetia. Rebound 1977, Half Calf
Dr. Robert S. Paul dedicated his life to ecclesiastical scholarship and the pursuit of religious history. An alumnus of St. Catherine’s and Mansfield Colleges at Oxford, Dr. Paul earned his DPhil with a focus on Cromwell, which later became his influential book, The Lord Protector. His academic career included prestigious roles such as Chair of Puritan Church History at Hartford Seminary, and Professor of Modern Church History at Pittsburgh Seminary. Known for his ecumenical contributions, Dr. Paul was also involved with the World Council of Churches, solidifying his influence on church history.
A passionate book collector, Dr. Paul painstakingly preserved his theological texts by re-binding many of them. While he donated much of his collection to academic institutions in the U.S., the remainder is now available to collectors for the first time.
Hosted by Unique Auctions at Vincent Court, Teal Part, Lincoln, on Sunday 10th November, this event will be accessible both on-site and online through Easy Live Auction.
Baxter, Richard, Reliquiae Baxterianae or Mr Richard Baxters Narrative of the Most Memorable Passages of His Life and Times by Matthew Sylvester, 1696. Rebound.
Don’t miss out on this chance to discover—and perhaps acquire—a piece from the past that reflects a lifetime’s dedication to the study of theology and church history.