BySukant Deepak

January 26, 2022 (IANSlife) Prinseps held the third edition of 'The Nationalism Book Auction' on January 25. The auction featured a unique collection of first-edition books, the majority of which have never been offered for sale before. These novels were printed in India between the pre-independence and post-independence periods and are difficult to find, as just a few copies have remained. The sale provided a rare view into pre-independence India, a time when freedom fighters, philosophies, revolutionaries, and well-known figures flourished.

The comprehensive collection of Gandhi's speeches and writings (Lot 5; Speeches and Writings of M.K Gandhi by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, 1922); and a collection of Jawaharlal Nehru's political writings, which includes his presidential addresses and some shorter essays written in prison, were among the auction's highlights. (Lot 15; Jawaharlal Nehru's India and the World, 1926)

The catalogue had 85 lots, bringing to life a diverse range of political leaders, authors, and philosophers' experiences and narratives. The value of these literary assets was estimated to be between INR 30,000 and INR 1,00,000.

"The third edition of The Nationalism Book Auction provides a rare collection of first-editions or limited editions that might be deemed irreplaceable in today's times," says Vice-President and Curator Brijeshwari Kumari Gohil. The books are in excellent shape, having been carefully conserved."

In addition to the auction, Prinseps will hold a special auction of NFTs based on Bhanu Athaiya's drawings and sketches in the following months.

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Sukant Deepak can be contacted at sukant.d@ians.in