Freeman’s to Present The Library of Stephen J. Farber in Chicago on May 14

Lot 194 | Shakespeare, William (1564-1616). Two complete plays from the First Folio: As You Like It. -- The Taming of the Shrew. London, 1623. Estimate $30,000 – 50,000

This spring, Freeman’s is pleased to present The Library of Stephen J. Farber on May 14, 2026. Over the course of nearly seven decades, Mr. Farber assembled superb copies of some of the most important works of literature ever printed.

"I am particularly excited to offer this library in its entirety, as it tells the story of one collector’s lifelong passion—an almost sixty-year pursuit of the books and manuscripts he most deeply loved—and of the new stewards who will, in turn, cherish them with the same care and devotion.” — Christopher Brink, Senior Specialist, Books & Manuscripts Born in New York City and raised in Miami Beach, Florida, Mr. Farber pursued a distinguished medical career that took him to New York, St. Louis, Ann Arbor, Charlottesville, and Toledo. Along the way, he developed a lifelong passion for books.

When asked what sparks his enthusiasm, the word that comes up every time is “whimsy.” Beginning with the classics, mysteries, and science fiction he devoured in h youth, he spent decades building a collection that reflects both intellectual rigor and personal joy.

Accompanied by his wife, Nancy, Mr. Farber traveled thousands of miles across the United States, visiting book fairs, rare book dealers, antique shops, and auction houses in pursuit of exceptional material. The result is a collection of remarkable breadth and quality, encompassing literature, science fiction, women’s rights, and beyond—one that speaks as much to passion as it does to connoisseurship.

When Freeman’s asked why he chose to bring the collection to auction, Mr. Farber’s answer was simple: “I would want to see these books go to people who will love them.” It is in that spirit that Freeman’s is honored to present this extraordinary library to a new generation of collectors.

Lot 208 | Tolkien, J.R.R. (1892-1973). [The Lord of the Rings trilogy:] The Fellowship of the Ring. 1954. -- The Two Towers. 1954. -- The Return of the King. 1955. All London: Allen & Unwin Ltd. Estimate $15,000 – 20,000

Auction Highlights: Reflecting Decades of Passionate and Meticulous Collecting Highlights include a near-pristine first edition of George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four with the scarce original wraparound band; numerous original printings of works by Edgar Allan Poe, among them a first printing of “The Raven” in the exceptionally scarce original wrappers; a first edition set of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings; and Mary Wollstonecraft’s foundational feminist text, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman.

Beyond these landmark works are important texts by figures such as Charles Darwin, Alfred Russel Wallace, and John Stuart Mill. Carefully preserved in custom-built wooden bookcases with glass doors, the collection reflects decades of thoughtful stewardship and deep appreciation for the printed word.

Additional Top Lots

· Lot 194 | Shakespeare, William (1564-1616). As You Like It. -- The Taming of the Shrew. [Two complete plays extracted from: The First Folio]. [London: Isaac laggard and Ed. Blount, 1623]. Estimate: $30,000 – 50,000

· Lot 208 | Tolkien, J.R.R. (1892-1973). [The Lord of the Rings trilogy:] The Fellowship of the Ring. 1954. -- The Two Towers. 1954. -- The Return of the King. 1955. All London: Allen & Unwin Ltd. First edition, first impression set. Estimate: $15,000 – 20,000

· Lot 263 | Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826). Notes on the State of Virginia. London: John Stockdale, 1787. First edition with the large folding map. Estimate: $10,000 – 15,000

· Lot 162 | Orwell, George (1903-1950). Nineteen Eighty-Four. London: Secker & Warburg, 1949. First edition with the rare wrap-around band. Estimate: $8,000 – 12,000

· Lot 173 | Poe, Edgar Allan (1809-1849). "The Raven" in The American Review. Volume I, number II. New York: Edward O. Jenkins for Wiley and Putnam, February 1845 [but early January]. First printing, in the rare original wrappers. Estimate: $8,000 – 12,000

· Lot 201 | Stoker, Bram (1847-1912). Dracula. Westminster: Archibald Constable & Company, 1897. First edition, first issue. Estimate: $6,000 – 8,000

How to Bid

The Library of Stephen J. Farber will be offered at auction on May 14 at 10 AM CT in our Chicago saleroom. Bidding will be available in person, over the phone, and via absentee or live online bidding.