The Relic Auction

Nantucket: Henry S. Wyer. Near Fine. 1898. First Edition. Wrappers. 11 pages; Nantucket: Near Fine. 1898. First Edition. 11 pages; Quite scarce narrative poem by Henry Sherman Wyer (1847-1920) , noted author, photographer and artist. Contents clean and secure in original textured brown wrappers with black lettering; frontispiece composed photograph by the author depicting the gathered vintage items for auction. 18 cm. OCLC 20899137 (only 4 locations cited) No listing in AAS "Photographer Henry S. Wyer, born in Nantucket on January 21, 1847, son of Charles S. Wyer, mariner, and Mary J. Coleman. His early interest in photography was encouraged by William Summerhayes [Nantucket's first resident to produce Daguerrotypes and Ambrotypes], but he apparently decided to work on the mainland, as in 1880 he had a studio in Yonkers, New York. His interest in Nantucket, which was to guide his career, never wavered and in 1881 he began his work of photographing the streets, houses, and waterfront of his island home. This collection has since become an invaluable study of Nantucket - historically, architecturally and artistically. Henry S. Wyer was an artist and a writer, as well as photographer, as his work so often demonstrated. As one of the founders of the Nantucket Historical Association in 1894, he worked diligently for the advancement of our cultural heritage. From 1886, when he returned to the island to reside here the rest of his life until his death in 1920 at the age of 73, he was one of the important personalities in the life of the town. His little shop on Federal Street -- Wyer's Art Store -- as well as his shop in 'Sconset brought him in association with artists, musicians and writers, and his writings continued along with his excellent photography. " [from Early Photography on Nantucket by Edward Stackpole. Historic Nantucket, October 1987, Vol. 35, No. 2; pp. 12-15] His publications are treasured and his photographs command significant prices at auction. His publications include: Poems of Nantucket (1888) ; The Relic Auction (1898) ; Olde Nantucket, 'Sconset and along Shore (1889) ; Nantucket Characters indelible Photographs (1892) ; Nantucket in Picture and Verse (1892) ; Nantucket: Old and New (1895) ; My Isle of Dreams (1899) ; Nantucket: Picturesque and Historic (1901) ; Sea-Girt Nantucket -- A Hand-Book of Historical and Contemporaneous Information for Visitors (1902) ; and Spun-yarn from Old Nantucket (1914). .; Americana and American History, Literature, Most Recent Listing .