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Auction Update Review

M-Rare Book Hub: 94 Auctions Archived, another 92 Upcoming this Week

For the week ended 31 October, 94 auctions have been archived to Rare Book Hub’s Transactions+: 1 denominated in Australian dollars, 24 in euros, 17 in British pounds, 1 in Hong Kong dollars, 1 in Mexican pesos, 1 in New Zealand dollars, 1 in Polish zloty, 1 in Swedish krona, and 47 in US dollars.

 

Turnover was $58,218,532.50. The average lot brought $3,558.16.

 

This report includes this past week’s Top 25s for 14 categories, full details for this past week’s sales, as well as a full listing of the upcoming week’s 92 sales. 

 

 

Start by clicking on the tabs for the top 25s. They are live!

 

Best wishes for a good week!

 

Bruce McKinney


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Top 25 Lots Reported This Past Week.
  1. Heritage Auctions 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth Rookie SGC VG 3 -- Only One Superior in Any Population! on October 26th Actual price: USD $4,026,000.
  2. Sothebys Maharaja Ranjit Singh in procession, riding on an elephant through a bazaar, by Bishan Singh, on October 29th Actual price: USD $1,258,302.
  3. Sothebys An exceptionally rare and important Qur'an manuscript with eight tafasir with the combined title al-Itqan fi 'Ilm al-Qur'an ('Perfection in Qur'anic Science') from the library of Akbar (r. 1556-1605), on October 29th Actual price: USD $1,140,861.
  4. Sothebys Costumes of India: an album of occupations, on October 29th Actual price: USD $805,313.
  5. Christies Details of Renaissance Paintings (Sandro Botticelli, Birth of Venus, 1482) on October 24th Actual price: USD $666,750.
  6. Sothebys An extremely rare illustrated manuscript of the Ka'banameh (A history of the Ka'ba) by Abdulrahman Gubari (d.1566), signed by Ahmad [...] al-Khatib, Kaposvar, on October 29th Actual price: USD $587,208.
  7. Heritage Auctions Signed 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth #144 PSA Good 2, Auto 7. on October 26th Actual price: USD $585,600.
  8. Christies Ten Portraits of Jews of the Twentieth Century on October 24th Actual price: USD $571,500.
  9. Sothebys A large illuminated Qur'an, copied by Ahmad al-Nayrizi, commissioned for Muhammad Ibrahim Bega Yuzbashi, on October 29th Actual price: USD $469,766.
  10. Heritage Auctions Signed 1984 Star Co. Michael Jordan Rookie #101 PSA EX-MT 6, PSA/DNA Auto 8. on October 26th Actual price: USD $439,200.
  11. Christies QUR'AN on October 30th Actual price: USD $434,404.
  12. Heritage Auctions 1956 Topps Mickey Mantle (Gray Back) #135 PSA Mint 9 -- Only Four Superior! on October 26th Actual price: USD $414,800.
  13. Christies Moonwalk: one print on October 24th Actual price: USD $406,400.
  14. Heritage Auctions 1916 M101-5 Blank Backs Babe Ruth Rookie #151 SGC Good 2. on October 26th Actual price: USD $353,800.
  15. Sothebys Ibn al-Shatir (d.1375), Nihayat al-su'al fi tashih al-usul, on astronomy, on October 29th Actual price: USD $335,547.
  16. Heritage Auctions 1968 Topps Mickey Mantle #280 PSA Gem Mint 10. on October 26th Actual price: USD $335,500.
  17. Sothebys A line from the 'Baysunghur Qur'an', attributed to 'Umar al-Aqta, on October 29th Actual price: USD $318,770.
  18. Christies Untitled on October 24th Actual price: USD $317,500.
  19. Christies Afternoon Swimming on October 24th Actual price: USD $304,800.
  20. Heritage Auctions 1977 Topps Star Wars #1 "Luke Skywalker" #1 PSA Gem Mint 10. on October 26th Actual price: USD $268,400.
  21. Heritage Auctions 1996 Select Certified Mirror Gold Derek Jeter #100 PSA Gem Mint 10 -- Population Two! on October 26th Actual price: USD $268,400.
  22. Heritage Auctions 1909-11 T206 White Border SGC Graded Near Set (518/524)! on October 26th Actual price: USD $268,400.
  23. Christies A FRAGMENTARY MONUMENTAL KUFIC QUR'AN FOLIO on October 30th Actual price: USD $250,617.
  24. Christies Apple, from Ads on October 24th Actual price: USD $241,300.
  25. Sothebys An early Kufic Qur'an leaf, on October 29th Actual price: USD $234,883.
  • <b>Doyle, Nov. 5:</b> The Director's copy of the first edition of Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot, inscribed by Beckett. $7,000 to $10,000. <b>Doyle, Nov. 5:</b> Don McLean's personal test pressing of American Pie before mass production, gifted in 1971. $8,000 to $12,000. <b>Doyle, Nov. 5:</b> The important and extensive archive of original fashion photographs of model Dorothy Rice, 1945-58. $20,000 to $30,000. <b>Doyle, Nov. 5:</b> A Charles Adams theater advertisement. $8,000 to $12,000. <b>Doyle, Nov. 5:</b> A Small Patinated Bronze Bust of Marlene Dietrich. $800 to $1,200. <b>Doyle, Nov. 5:</b> Marlene Dietrich Studio Photograph. $100 to $200. <b>Doyle, Nov. 5:</b> The very large and uncommon British Quad for Hitchcock's The Birds. $500 to $800. <b>Doyle, Nov. 5:</b> An Original Crystal "Sputnik" from the 1966 Met Opera Chandelier. $3,000 to $5,000. <b>Doyle, Nov. 5:</b> The rare poster from the first American performances of Endgame, 1958. $1,000 to $1,500. <b>Doyle, Nov. 5:</b> The original Coconut Grove Playhouse poster for Waiting for Godot, possibly unique. $3,000 to $5,000.
    Doyle, Nov. 5: The Director's copy of the first edition of Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot, inscribed by Beckett. $7,000 to $10,000.
    Doyle, Nov. 5: Don McLean's personal test pressing of American Pie before mass production, gifted in 1971. $8,000 to $12,000.
    Doyle, Nov. 5: The important and extensive archive of original fashion photographs of model Dorothy Rice, 1945-58. $20,000 to $30,000.
    Doyle, Nov. 5: A Charles Adams theater advertisement. $8,000 to $12,000.
    Doyle, Nov. 5: A Small Patinated Bronze Bust of Marlene Dietrich. $800 to $1,200.
    Doyle, Nov. 5: Marlene Dietrich Studio Photograph. $100 to $200.
    Doyle, Nov. 5: The very large and uncommon British Quad for Hitchcock's The Birds. $500 to $800.
    Doyle, Nov. 5: An Original Crystal "Sputnik" from the 1966 Met Opera Chandelier. $3,000 to $5,000.
    Doyle, Nov. 5: The rare poster from the first American performances of Endgame, 1958. $1,000 to $1,500.
    Doyle, Nov. 5: The original Coconut Grove Playhouse poster for Waiting for Godot, possibly unique. $3,000 to $5,000.
  • <b><center>Sotheby's<br>Fine Books, Manuscripts & More<br>Available for Immediate Purchase</center></b> <b>Sotheby’s:</b> William Shakespeare. <i>The Temple Shakespeare.</i> Housed in Custom Bookcase. $6,365. <b>Sotheby’s:</b> Frederick Douglass. <i>Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass,</i> Boston: Anti-Slavery Office, 1845. $14,000. <b>Sotheby’s:</b> Charles Dickens. <i>A Christmas Carol.</i> London: William Heinemann, 1915. $2,900. <b>Sotheby’s:</b> F. Scott Fitzgerald. First Edition Set, Including <i>This Side of Paradise, The Great Gatsby,</i> and others. Charles Scribner's Sons. 1920 – 1941. $24,180. <b>Sotheby’s:</b> Lewis Carroll [Charles Lutwidge Dodgson], John Tenniel. <i>Alice's Adventures in Wonderland</i> First Edition. Macmillan & Co., 1866. $15,000.
    Sotheby's
    Fine Books, Manuscripts & More
    Available for Immediate Purchase
    Sotheby’s: William Shakespeare. The Temple Shakespeare. Housed in Custom Bookcase. $6,365.
    Sotheby’s: Frederick Douglass. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Boston: Anti-Slavery Office, 1845. $14,000.
    Sotheby’s: Charles Dickens. A Christmas Carol. London: William Heinemann, 1915. $2,900.
    Sotheby’s: F. Scott Fitzgerald. First Edition Set, Including This Side of Paradise, The Great Gatsby, and others. Charles Scribner's Sons. 1920 – 1941. $24,180.
    Sotheby’s: Lewis Carroll [Charles Lutwidge Dodgson], John Tenniel. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland First Edition. Macmillan & Co., 1866. $15,000.
  • <b><center>Swann<br>Autographs<br>November 6, 2025</center></b> <b>Swann, Nov. 6:</b> Lot 93: Autograph album containing 29 autograph letters signed by each president from Washington to Coolidge, 1785-1945. <b>Swann, Nov. 6:</b> Lot 166: Franz Schubert, Autograph Musical Manuscript, fragment from <i>Die Taucher,</i> 1813. <b>Swann, Nov. 6:</b> Lot 111: Thomas Jefferson, holograph plat drawing: map of field near Monticello, 1790s. <b><center>Swann<br>Autographs<br>November 6, 2025</center></b> <b>Swann, Nov. 6:</b> Lot 208: George Sand, Autograph Manuscript Signed, draft of her one-act play, <i>Francia,</i> ca. 1872. <b>Swann, Nov. 6:</b> Lot 218: Walt Whitman, Manuscript Signed, draft of three complete poems from <i>Leaves of Grass,</i> 1891. <b>Swann, Nov. 6:</b> Lot 8: James Dean, Photograph Signed and Inscribed, still from <i>Giant,</i> 1955. <b><center>Swann<br>Autographs<br>November 6, 2025</center></b> <b>Swann, Nov. 6:</b> Lot 20: John Lennon, Typescript Signed, interview discussing Paul, Linda, and Yoko, 1971. <b>Swann, Nov. 6:</b> Lot 215: Mark Twain, engraved portrait Signed, "Mark Twain / SL. Clemens," 1890s. <b>Swann, Nov. 6:</b> Lot 81: Vaslav Nijinsky, reproduction of an artwork by Léon Bakst Inscribed and Signed, 1916. <b><center>Swann<br>Autographs<br>November 6, 2025</center></b> <b>Swann, Nov. 6:</b> Lot 73: Malcolm X, <i>The Harvard Crimson Signed</i> and Inscribed: his street address and phone number, 1961. <b>Swann, Nov. 6:</b> Lot 11: Lou Gehrig, Photograph Signed and Inscribed, ca. 1939. <b>Swann, Nov. 6:</b> Lot 153: George Gershwin, Photograph Signed and Inscribed, portrait by Renato Toppo.
    Swann
    Autographs
    November 6, 2025
    Swann, Nov. 6: Lot 93: Autograph album containing 29 autograph letters signed by each president from Washington to Coolidge, 1785-1945.
    Swann, Nov. 6: Lot 166: Franz Schubert, Autograph Musical Manuscript, fragment from Die Taucher, 1813.
    Swann, Nov. 6: Lot 111: Thomas Jefferson, holograph plat drawing: map of field near Monticello, 1790s.
    Swann
    Autographs
    November 6, 2025
    Swann, Nov. 6: Lot 208: George Sand, Autograph Manuscript Signed, draft of her one-act play, Francia, ca. 1872.
    Swann, Nov. 6: Lot 218: Walt Whitman, Manuscript Signed, draft of three complete poems from Leaves of Grass, 1891.
    Swann, Nov. 6: Lot 8: James Dean, Photograph Signed and Inscribed, still from Giant, 1955.
    Swann
    Autographs
    November 6, 2025
    Swann, Nov. 6: Lot 20: John Lennon, Typescript Signed, interview discussing Paul, Linda, and Yoko, 1971.
    Swann, Nov. 6: Lot 215: Mark Twain, engraved portrait Signed, "Mark Twain / SL. Clemens," 1890s.
    Swann, Nov. 6: Lot 81: Vaslav Nijinsky, reproduction of an artwork by Léon Bakst Inscribed and Signed, 1916.
    Swann
    Autographs
    November 6, 2025
    Swann, Nov. 6: Lot 73: Malcolm X, The Harvard Crimson Signed and Inscribed: his street address and phone number, 1961.
    Swann, Nov. 6: Lot 11: Lou Gehrig, Photograph Signed and Inscribed, ca. 1939.
    Swann, Nov. 6: Lot 153: George Gershwin, Photograph Signed and Inscribed, portrait by Renato Toppo.
  • <b>Old World Auctions (Nov 12):</b><br>Lot 75. The Second Printed Map of the North American Continent - Full Contemporary Color (1593) Est. $35,000 - $40,000 <b>Old World Auctions (Nov 12):</b><br>Lot 37. Schedel's Ancient World Map with Fantastic Humanoid Creatures (1493) Est. $16,000 - $18,000 <b>Old World Auctions (Nov 12):</b><br>Lot 104. Important Revolutionary War Plan of Battle of Quebec in Contemporary Color (1776) Est. $4,000 - $4,750 <b>Old World Auctions (Nov 12):</b><br>Lot 43. Mercator's Map of the North Pole - the First Printed Map Devoted to the Arctic (1606) Est. $2,750 - $3,500 <b>Old World Auctions (Nov 12):</b><br>Lot 237. Rare and Striking Bird's-Eye View of Lawrence, Kansas (1880) Est. $2,000 - $2,500 <b>Old World Auctions (Nov 12):</b><br>Lot 10. Rare Map from Atlas Maior with Representations of the Seasons in Contemporary Color (1662) Est. $14,000 - $17,000 <b>Old World Auctions (Nov 12):</b><br>Lot 374. Bunting's Map of Europe Depicted as the Queen of the World (1589) Est. $2,000 - $2,400 <b>Old World Auctions (Nov 12):</b><br>Lot 590. Willem Blaeu's Magnificent Carte-a-Figures Map of Asia (1634) Est. $2,750 - $3,500 <b>Old World Auctions (Nov 12):</b><br>Lot 647. The Earliest and Most Decorative Map of the East Coast of Africa (1596) Est. $3,000 - $3,750 <b>Old World Auctions (Nov 12):</b><br>Lot 710. Ruscelli's Complete, Third Edition Atlas with 65 Maps (1574) Est. $9,500 - $11,000 <b>Old World Auctions (Nov 12):</b><br>Lot 696. Superb Hand-Colored Image of the Adoration of the Shepherds (1502) Est. $800 - $950
    Old World Auctions (Nov 12):
    Lot 75. The Second Printed Map of the North American Continent - Full Contemporary Color (1593) Est. $35,000 - $40,000
    Old World Auctions (Nov 12):
    Lot 37. Schedel's Ancient World Map with Fantastic Humanoid Creatures (1493) Est. $16,000 - $18,000
    Old World Auctions (Nov 12):
    Lot 104. Important Revolutionary War Plan of Battle of Quebec in Contemporary Color (1776) Est. $4,000 - $4,750
    Old World Auctions (Nov 12):
    Lot 43. Mercator's Map of the North Pole - the First Printed Map Devoted to the Arctic (1606) Est. $2,750 - $3,500
    Old World Auctions (Nov 12):
    Lot 237. Rare and Striking Bird's-Eye View of Lawrence, Kansas (1880) Est. $2,000 - $2,500
    Old World Auctions (Nov 12):
    Lot 10. Rare Map from Atlas Maior with Representations of the Seasons in Contemporary Color (1662) Est. $14,000 - $17,000
    Old World Auctions (Nov 12):
    Lot 374. Bunting's Map of Europe Depicted as the Queen of the World (1589) Est. $2,000 - $2,400
    Old World Auctions (Nov 12):
    Lot 590. Willem Blaeu's Magnificent Carte-a-Figures Map of Asia (1634) Est. $2,750 - $3,500
    Old World Auctions (Nov 12):
    Lot 647. The Earliest and Most Decorative Map of the East Coast of Africa (1596) Est. $3,000 - $3,750
    Old World Auctions (Nov 12):
    Lot 710. Ruscelli's Complete, Third Edition Atlas with 65 Maps (1574) Est. $9,500 - $11,000
    Old World Auctions (Nov 12):
    Lot 696. Superb Hand-Colored Image of the Adoration of the Shepherds (1502) Est. $800 - $950
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