Rare Book Monthly

Articles - July - 2026 Issue

Summer Fun: July Book Festivals & Exhibits

Free and ticketed July book fairs and exhibits

Free and ticketed July book fairs and exhibits

(July through September - NY, NY) The Declaration of Independence & Rare Americana at the Morgan Library & Museum: This exhibit displays rare foundational texts and Americana from its extensive collections, including original drafts and early prints of the Declaration of Independence. https://www.themorgan.org/exhibitions/declaration-of-independence There is an admission charge that varies. See Visit the Morgan for specifics. 

(July 3 - Gettysburg, PA) Civil War Book Sale and Author Signing: This is a free event where history buffs can browse hundreds of new and used Civil War books and meet authors like Jeff Shaara and Garry Adelman. https://celebrategettysburg.com/event/civil-war-book-sale-and-author-signings/

(Ends July 4 - Washington, DC) The Two Georges: Parallel Lives in an Age of Revolution Hosted at the Library of Congress: It features original papers of George Washington and King George III, bringing together royal and revolutionary texts side-by-side.  This landmark exhibit is ongoing. It closes July 4, 2026. There is no admission charge to view exhibits at LOC, but some require timed entry. https://www.loc.gov/exhibitions/two-georges/about-this-exhibition/

(July 10-12 - Brooklyn, NY) Brooklyn Art Book Fair: A free, volunteer-run event with many exhibitors spotlighting independent presses, ‘zine culture, and rare artist monographs. No fee, donations accepted. https://www.bkabf.info/

(July 11-12Columbus, OH) The Columbus Book Festival: A free in-person literary gathering featuring author readings, panel discussions, and book vendors at the Main Library. Also includes a self-guided driving tour to area bookstores. https://www.columbusbookfestival.org/

(July 12Middletown, NY) Thrills & Chills Book Fair: A regional book fair focused on dark romance, horror, and thrillers, hosted at Aspire Brewing. It combines indie bookstore pop-ups, author signings, and craft beers. https://www.wellwornbooks.com/thrills-chills This is a ticketed event with entry starting at $20, higher for early admission.

(July 18 - Mammoth Lakes, CA) Eastern Sierra Book Festival: A free one day outdoor/indoor celebration of books, reading and writing at the Hayden Cabin combined with book sale, variety show, vendors booths and more. https://www.visitmammoth.com/events/eastern-sierra-book-festival-3/

(July 18 - Payson AZ) Payson Book Fair: Free admission, numerous Arizona authors, family friendly. https://paysonbookfestival.org

(July 19 - Detroit MI) Detroit Book Festival: A large annual free event based a Eastern Market with a diverse program and many vendors. Related activities includes a self-guided bookstore tour of Metro Detroit area shops. https://detroitbookfest.com

(July 23 -26 - San Diego, CA) San Diego Comic Con:  A monster event for comic fans that draws a huge crowd. Check the site for particulars including registration and fees. Big, BIG! https://www.comic-con.org/

(July 25 - Seattle, WA) The Readers & Writers Author Event: A place for fans to meet, interact with, and get books signed by over 80 published authors in a fan-focused environment. This is a ticketed event with admission starting at $15, additional fees for early admission and special programs. https://readerswritersevents.com/

(Opened in April - ongoing through July 26 - San Francisco, CA) Futurity Library: Disobedient Artists' Books: An exhibit at the San Francisco Center for the Book examines the book as an evolutionary object, showcasing how artists are pushing the boundaries of book structures and conventions. https://www.sfcb.org/exhibitions-archive/futurity-library

(July 30 - Aug. 2 - Pittsburgh, PA) Pulp Fest: A long running festival focused on Mystery, Adventure and Science Fiction. A summer pulp tradition since 1972. It features an auction and a diverse program of related activities. This is a ticketed event requiring pre-registration, costs vary depending if booked in conjunction with the festival hotel. See site for additional details  https://pulpfest.com

Rare Book Monthly

  • Sotheby’s
    Shelf Life: Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper from the Library of Stanley J. Seeger and Christopher Cone
    25 June – July 7
    Sotheby’s, July 7: Ludwig van Beethoven. Autograph sketches for the overture "Die Weihe des Hauses", op.124, [1822], UNPUBLISHED. £150,000 to £200,000.
    Sotheby’s, July 7: Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice, 1813, first edition, 3 volumes, contemporary half calf. £50,000 to £70,000.
    Sotheby’s, July 7: Walt Whitman. Leaves of Grass, Brooklyn, 1855, first edition, first issue, original green cloth, the Doheny copy. £50,000 to £70,000.
    Sotheby’s, July 7: Binding—Sangorski & Sutcliffe—Omar Khayyam. Rubaiyat, London, 1872, third edition, in a magnificent jewelled Peacock binding. £15,000 to £20,000.
    Sotheby’s, July 7: George Eliot. Middlemarch, Edinburgh and London, 1871, first edition in the original parts. £20,000 to £30,000.
  • Forum Auctions
    The Private Library:
    Fine Printing & Private Press books, the collection of the late David Chambers
    July 9, 2026
    Forum, July 9: Hassall (Joan) A large collection of over 300 original woodblocks of engravings for various books, v.d., with Hassall's engraver's glass water-globe (Qty) - Est. £10,000-15,000
    Forum, July 9: Eragny Press.- [Bradley (Katherine Harris) & Edith Emma Cooper], "Michael Field." Whym Chow, Flame of Love, one of only 27 copies, inscribed by Bradley, the rarest book from the press, 1914. - Est. £3,000-4,000
    Forum, July 9: [Moore (Thomas Sturge)] [Wood Engravings], 71 wood-engravings printed by David Chambers from the original blocks, the only set on Japanese Hosho paper, from an edition of 5 sets, [1970]. - Est. £3,000-4,000
    Forum Auctions
    The Private Library:
    Fine Printing & Private Press books, the collection of the late David Chambers
    July 9, 2026
    Forum, July 9: La Fontaine (Jean de) Contes et Nouvelles en vers, 2 vol., engraved plates after Eisen, fine early 19th century blue morocco, gilt, by Bradel l'ainé, Amsterdam [Paris], 1762. - Est. £2,000-3,000
    Forum, July 9: Erotica.- Prostitution.- Pretty Women of Paris (The); Their Names and Addresses, Qualities and Faults..., [Paris], privately printed at the Press of the Prefecture de Police, 1883. - Est. £3,000-4,000
    Forum, July 9: Vale Press.- Ricketts (Charles) & Lucien Pissarro. De la Typographie et de l'Harmonie de la Page Imprimée…, [one of 216 copies], bound in dark blue morocco tooled in gilt, by Sarah T.Prideaux, 1898. - Est. £1,000-1,500
    Forum Auctions
    The Private Library:
    Fine Printing & Private Press books, the collection of the late David Chambers
    July 9, 2026
    Forum, July 9: Martin (John) Illustrations of the Bible, complete set of 20 mezzotints, good impressions, rarely found in early states, [c.1831-1835]. - Est. £1,000-1,500
    Forum, July 9: Golden Cockerel Press.- Four Gospels of the Lord Jesus Christ (The), one of 500 copies, Mary Gill's copy, Waltham St. Lawrence, 1931 with a signed proof of engraving on japon numbered 10/10 (2) - Est. £5,000-7,000
    Forum, July 9: Boccaccio (Giovanni) The Decameron, 3 vol., vol.1 extra-illustrated by John Buckland Wright with c.150 erotic original drawings in pen & ink and pencil, 1886 [extra-illustrated c.1940]. - Est. £10,000-15,000
    Forum Auctions
    The Private Library:
    Fine Printing & Private Press books, the collection of the late David Chambers
    July 9, 2026
    Forum, July 9: Cox (Morris) Collection of Gogmagog Press Books, 35 vol., rare complete collection of printed books issued by the press, limited editions, most signed by Cox, 1957-83. - Est. £10,000-15,000
    Forum, July 9: Wynkyn de Worde.- [Terentius Afer (Publius)] [Comedie...], [Paris, Josse Badius: sold in London by Wynkyn de Worde, & others], [15 July 1504]. - Est. £4,000-6,000
    Forum, July 9: Mosley (James) Ornamented Types. Twenty-Three Alphabets from the Foundry of Louis John Pouchée, 2 vol., one of 10 copies for presentation, from an edition of 210, 1992-93. - Est. £1,000-2,000
  • Forum Auctions
    The 10th Anniversary Sale
    Fine Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper
    July 16, 2026
    Forum, July 16: Inundation papyrus. P.Michael 4, the ‘Inundation papyrus’, a geographical account of the Nile near Canopus, in Greek, remains of two columns from a manuscript scroll on papyrus, Egypt, second century CE. £12,000-18,000
    Forum, July 16: Book of Hours, use of Sarum, manuscript on vellum, 6 full-page miniatures, with famous Middle English inscriptions, Southern Netherlands for the English market, [c.1430]. £30,000-50,000
    Forum, July 16: Qu'ran, Arabic manuscript on burnished, stencilled, and gold-flecked paper, 447ff., Sultanate Gujarat, Ahmadabad, [after 1411 but no later than 1442]. £15,000-20,000
    Forum Auctions
    The 10th Anniversary Sale
    Fine Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper
    July 16, 2026
    Forum, July 16: Turner (William). A New boke of the natures and properties of all wines that are commonly vsed here in England, rare first edition of the first English book on wine, By William Seres, 1568. £20,000-£30,000
    Forum, July 16: Spenser (Edmund). The Faerie Queene. first edition, Printed [by John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, 1590. £30,000-40,000
    Forum, July 16: Shakespeare (William). The Comedie of Errors, extracted from the first folio, Isaac Jaggard and Edward Blount, 1623. £15,000-20,000
    Forum Auctions
    The 10th Anniversary Sale
    Fine Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper
    July 16, 2026
    Forum, July 16: Fleming (Ian). Casino Royale, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author, 1953. £40,000-60,000
    Forum, July 16: d'Agoty (Jacques-Fabien Gautier). Anatomie de la Tête, first edition, Paris, chez le Sieur Gautier, 1748. £10,000-15,000
    Forum, July 16: Martial Arts.- Lee (Bruce). 'Praying Mantis style' Kung Fu book, containing numerous annotations, diagrams and graphs in Bruce Lee's hand, c. 1960. £50,000-70,000
    Forum Auctions
    The 10th Anniversary Sale
    Fine Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper
    July 16, 2026
    Forum, July 16: Warre (Capt. Henry James). Sketches in North America and the Oregon Territory, first edition, rare hand-coloured issue, 1848. £30,000-40,000
    Forum, July 16: Norie (John William). The Marine Atlas, or Seaman's Complete Pilot for all the principal places in the known world..., 1826. £30,000-50,000
    Forum, July 16: Mao Tse-tung.- Kim Il-sung.-[Note book for visitors from China to Korea], signed by Mao and Kim, [Beijing, 1954]. £10,000-15,000

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