Willa Cather, William Wordsworth, and Architectural Archive: The Week in Rare Books
Willa Cather's Youth and the Bright Medusa
This weekly auction result is provided by Spencer W Stuart, an independent collections advisor specializing in rare books and manuscripts as well as fine photography and prints. He is also the author of Contemporary Issues in Rare Books & Manuscript Collecting and host of the monthly webinar Collecting Insights.
These are the three lots that stuck out this week because of either uniqueness or exceeding expectations:
Interesting Association: William Wordsworth's Two Addresses to the Freeholders of Westmorland (Kendal: Airey and Bellingham, 1818). First edition, signed and inscribed by William Wordsworth.
Exceeding expectations: Willa Cather's Youth and the Bright Medusa (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1920). First edition in the rare dust jacket.
Rich content for architectural researchers: Executed Work. Volumes III-VI & VIII-IX. Sketch Designs. Volumes I-III. Archive of design work by architects Blackall & Newton. Profusion of mounted albumen photographs, plans and descriptions. 9 volumes.
![Origen of Alexandria (c. 185–253) Homilia in Genesim, Homiliae in Exodum, in Latin, translation by Rufinus, decorated manuscript on parchment [Austria, Lambach Abbey? c. 1150–1175]. Estimate: $150,000-$200,000.](/sites/default/files/styles/category_card/public/media-images/2026-06/origen.jpeg?itok=0V_4_Lt2)
