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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For the week ended 31 October, 94 auctions have been archived to Rare Book Hub’s Transactions+: 1 denominated in Australian dollars, 24 in euros, 17 in British pounds, 1 in Hong Kong dollars, 1 in Mexican pesos, 1 in New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.
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  • <b><center>Swann<br>Illustration Art<br>December 4, 2025</center></b> <b>Swann, Dec. 4:</b> William Wallace Denslow (1856-1915). Pen and ink illustration for the first edition of Frank Baum's <i>The Wonderful Wizard of Oz</i> (Chicago: George M. Hill, 1900), page 33. $60,000 to $80,000. <b>Swann, Dec. 4:</b> Jerry Pinkney (1939-2021). <i>The Great Minu, African folk tale complete book, group of 15 illustrations. 1974. $12,000 to $16,000.</i> <b>Swann, Dec. 4:</b> Charles Schulz (1922-2000). Peanuts, Snoopy's brother Spike Christmas Cactus illustration. 1989 $8,000 to $12,000.. <b><center>Swann<br>Illustration Art<br>December 4, 2025</center></b> <b>Swann, Dec. 4:</b> James Montgomery Flagg (1877-1960). Dean Cornwell in his studio. Watercolor and pencil on board. 1920. $5,000 to $7,000. <b>Swann, Dec. 4:</b> Charles Samuel Addams (1912-1988). Study for "Movie Scream," 1947. $2,000 to $3,000. <b>Swann, Dec. 4:</b> Edmund Dulac (1882-1953). "Q was a quaint dainty queen." Watercolor and ink on paper. 1906. $6,000 to $9,000. <b><center>Swann<br>Illustration Art<br>December 4, 2025</center></b> <b>Swann, Dec. 4:</b> Albert Hirschfeld (1903-2003). Camelot. Pen and ink on board. 1960. $6,000 to $9,000. <b>Swann, Dec. 4:</b> Maurice Sendak (1928-2012). "Chicken Soup" sketch. Ink on paper. Circa 1962. $4,000 to $6,000. <b>Swann, Dec. 4:</b> Kay Nielsen (1886-1957). But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. Pastel on board. Circa 1955. $5,000 to $7,000. <b><center>Swann<br>Illustration Art<br>December 4, 2025</center></b> <b>Swann, Dec. 4:</b> Julian De Miskey (1898-1976). Equestrian riding across 5th Avenue. Mixed media on board. Circa 1930. $4,000 to $6,000. <b>Swann, Dec. 4:</b> Walt Disney Studios. Pinocchio "When You Wish Upon A Star" Jiminy Cricket Courvoisier animation cel. Gouache on celluloid over airbrushed background on board. 1940. $2,000 to $2,500. <b>Swann, Dec. 4:</b> Arnold Lobel (1933-1987). "I will tell you a story while we are waiting," graphite on tracing paper. 1976. $1,500 to $2,000.
    Swann
    Illustration Art
    December 4, 2025
    Swann, Dec. 4: William Wallace Denslow (1856-1915). Pen and ink illustration for the first edition of Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Chicago: George M. Hill, 1900), page 33. $60,000 to $80,000.
    Swann, Dec. 4: Jerry Pinkney (1939-2021). The Great Minu, African folk tale complete book, group of 15 illustrations. 1974. $12,000 to $16,000.
    Swann, Dec. 4: Charles Schulz (1922-2000). Peanuts, Snoopy's brother Spike Christmas Cactus illustration. 1989 $8,000 to $12,000..
    Swann
    Illustration Art
    December 4, 2025
    Swann, Dec. 4: James Montgomery Flagg (1877-1960). Dean Cornwell in his studio. Watercolor and pencil on board. 1920. $5,000 to $7,000.
    Swann, Dec. 4: Charles Samuel Addams (1912-1988). Study for "Movie Scream," 1947. $2,000 to $3,000.
    Swann, Dec. 4: Edmund Dulac (1882-1953). "Q was a quaint dainty queen." Watercolor and ink on paper. 1906. $6,000 to $9,000.
    Swann
    Illustration Art
    December 4, 2025
    Swann, Dec. 4: Albert Hirschfeld (1903-2003). Camelot. Pen and ink on board. 1960. $6,000 to $9,000.
    Swann, Dec. 4: Maurice Sendak (1928-2012). "Chicken Soup" sketch. Ink on paper. Circa 1962. $4,000 to $6,000.
    Swann, Dec. 4: Kay Nielsen (1886-1957). But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. Pastel on board. Circa 1955. $5,000 to $7,000.
    Swann
    Illustration Art
    December 4, 2025
    Swann, Dec. 4: Julian De Miskey (1898-1976). Equestrian riding across 5th Avenue. Mixed media on board. Circa 1930. $4,000 to $6,000.
    Swann, Dec. 4: Walt Disney Studios. Pinocchio "When You Wish Upon A Star" Jiminy Cricket Courvoisier animation cel. Gouache on celluloid over airbrushed background on board. 1940. $2,000 to $2,500.
    Swann, Dec. 4: Arnold Lobel (1933-1987). "I will tell you a story while we are waiting," graphite on tracing paper. 1976. $1,500 to $2,000.
  • <b><center>SD Scandinavian Art & Rare Book Auctions<br>The Odfjell Collection<br>Polar – History – Ornithology – Colour Plate Books<br>Ending December 4th</center></b> <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> ROALD AMUNDSEN: «Sydpolen» [ The South Pole] 1912. First edition in jackets and publisher's slip case. <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> AMUNDSEN & NANSEN: «Fram over Polhavet» [Farthest North] 1897. AMUNDSEN's COPY! <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> ERNEST SHACKLETON [ed.]: «Aurora Australis» 1908. First edition. The NORWAY COPY. <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> ERNEST SHACKLETON: «The heart of the Antarctic» + SUPPLEMENT «The Antarctic Book», 1909. <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> SHACKLETON, BERNACCHI, CHERRY-GARRARD [ed.]: «The South Polar Times» I-III, 1902-1911. <b><center>SD Scandinavian Art & Rare Book Auctions<br>The Odfjell Collection<br>Polar – History – Ornithology – Colour Plate Books<br>Ending December 4th</center></b> <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> [WILLEM BARENTSZ & HENRY HUDSON] - SAEGHMAN: «Verhael van de vier eerste schip-vaerden […]», 1663. <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> TERRA NOVA EXPEDITION | LIEUTENANT HENRY ROBERTSON BOWERS: «At the South Pole.», Gelatin Silver Print. [10¾ x 15in. (27.2 x 38.1cm.) ]. <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> ELEAZAR ALBIN: «A natural History of Birds.» + «A Supplement», 1738-40. Wonderful coloured plates. <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> PAUL GAIMARD: «Voyage de la Commision scientific du Nord, en Scandinavie, […]», c. 1842-46. ONLY HAND COLOURED COPY KNOWN WITH TWO ORIGINAL PAINTINGS BY BIARD. <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> JAMES JOYCE: «Ulysses», 1922. FIRST EDITION IN ORIGINAL WRAPPERS.
    SD Scandinavian Art & Rare Book Auctions
    The Odfjell Collection
    Polar – History – Ornithology – Colour Plate Books
    Ending December 4th
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: ROALD AMUNDSEN: «Sydpolen» [ The South Pole] 1912. First edition in jackets and publisher's slip case.
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: AMUNDSEN & NANSEN: «Fram over Polhavet» [Farthest North] 1897. AMUNDSEN's COPY!
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: ERNEST SHACKLETON [ed.]: «Aurora Australis» 1908. First edition. The NORWAY COPY.
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: ERNEST SHACKLETON: «The heart of the Antarctic» + SUPPLEMENT «The Antarctic Book», 1909.
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: SHACKLETON, BERNACCHI, CHERRY-GARRARD [ed.]: «The South Polar Times» I-III, 1902-1911.
    SD Scandinavian Art & Rare Book Auctions
    The Odfjell Collection
    Polar – History – Ornithology – Colour Plate Books
    Ending December 4th
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: [WILLEM BARENTSZ & HENRY HUDSON] - SAEGHMAN: «Verhael van de vier eerste schip-vaerden […]», 1663.
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: TERRA NOVA EXPEDITION | LIEUTENANT HENRY ROBERTSON BOWERS: «At the South Pole.», Gelatin Silver Print. [10¾ x 15in. (27.2 x 38.1cm.) ].
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: ELEAZAR ALBIN: «A natural History of Birds.» + «A Supplement», 1738-40. Wonderful coloured plates.
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: PAUL GAIMARD: «Voyage de la Commision scientific du Nord, en Scandinavie, […]», c. 1842-46. ONLY HAND COLOURED COPY KNOWN WITH TWO ORIGINAL PAINTINGS BY BIARD.
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: JAMES JOYCE: «Ulysses», 1922. FIRST EDITION IN ORIGINAL WRAPPERS.
  • <b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 9:</b> Pliny. <i>Historia naturalis,</i> the Macclesfield copy, printed on vellum, Rome: Sweynheym and Pannartz, 1470. $900,000 to $1,200,000. <b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 9:</b> Aristotle. The fine Doheny set of Aldo's <i>editio princeps,</i> Venice, 1495–1498. $400,000 to $600,000. <b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 9:</b> Euclid. The Norman copy of one of the most influential, enduring, and beautiful books in the history of science, Venice, 1482. $100,000 to $150,000.
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 9: Pliny. Historia naturalis, the Macclesfield copy, printed on vellum, Rome: Sweynheym and Pannartz, 1470. $900,000 to $1,200,000.
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 9: Aristotle. The fine Doheny set of Aldo's editio princeps, Venice, 1495–1498. $400,000 to $600,000.
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 9: Euclid. The Norman copy of one of the most influential, enduring, and beautiful books in the history of science, Venice, 1482. $100,000 to $150,000.
  • <b>ALDE, Dec. 3:</b LAUTRÉAMONT (COMTE DE). <i>Les Chants de Maldoror,</i> Paris, Albert Skira, 1934. €30,000 to €40,000. <b>ALDE, Dec. 3:</b PAULHAN (JEAN). <i>Braque le Patron,</i> Paris, Fernand Mourlot, 1945. €8,000 to €10,000. <b>ALDE, Dec. 3:</b CHAR (RENÉ). <i>Le Soleil des eaux,</i> Paris, Matarasso, 1949. €3,000 to €4,000.
    <b>ALDE, Dec. 3:</b BUFFON (COMTE DE). <i>Des Hirondelles et de quelques oiseaux connus, méconnus, ou inconnus décrits par le Comte de Buffon et Dado,</i> Fontfroide, 1988. €3,000 to €4,000. <b>ALDE, Dec. 3:</b MAÎTRES DE L'AFFICHE (LES). Publication mensuelle contenant la reproduction des plus belles affiches illustrées des grands artistes, français et étrangers. Paris, 1896-1899. €10,000 to €12,000. <b>ALDE, Dec. 3:</b JACOB (MAX). <i>Ne coupez pas mademoiselle ou les erreurs des P.T.T.,</i> Paris, Galerie Simon, 1921. €5,000 to €6,000.
    <b>ALDE, Dec. 3:</b RADIGUET (RAYMOND). <i>Les Pélican,</i> Paris, Galerie Simon, 1921. €4,000 to €5,000. <b>ALDE, Dec. 3:</b KUPKA (FRANTIŠEK). <i>Quatre histoires de blanc et noir,</i> Paris, s.n., 1926. €15,000 to €20,000. <b>ALDE, Dec. 3:</b BALZAC (HONORÉ DE). <i>Le Chef-d'œuvre inconnu,</i> Paris, Ambroise Vollard, 1931. €5,000 to €6,000.
    <b>ALDE, Dec. 3:</b [PICASSO (PABLO)]. <i>Hommage à Pablo Picasso,</i> Paris, s.n., 1966. €8,000 to €10,000. <b>ALDE, Dec. 3:</b PIERRE (JOSÉ). <i>Qu'est-ce que Thérèse ? C'est les maronniers en fleurs,</i> Paris, Le Soleil Noir, 1974. €5,000 to €6,000. <b>ALDE, Dec. 3:</b BALZAC (HONORÉ DE). <i>Traité des Excitants Modernes,</i> Paris, Yves Rivière, 1989. €6,000 to €8,000.
    ALDE, Dec. 3:Les Chants de Maldoror, Paris, Albert Skira, 1934. €30,000 to €40,000.
    ALDE, Dec. 3:Braque le Patron, Paris, Fernand Mourlot, 1945. €8,000 to €10,000.
    ALDE, Dec. 3:Le Soleil des eaux, Paris, Matarasso, 1949. €3,000 to €4,000.
    ALDE, Dec. 3:Des Hirondelles et de quelques oiseaux connus, méconnus, ou inconnus décrits par le Comte de Buffon et Dado, Fontfroide, 1988. €3,000 to €4,000.
    ALDE, Dec. 3:
    ALDE, Dec. 3:Ne coupez pas mademoiselle ou les erreurs des P.T.T., Paris, Galerie Simon, 1921. €5,000 to €6,000.
    ALDE, Dec. 3:Les Pélican, Paris, Galerie Simon, 1921. €4,000 to €5,000.
    ALDE, Dec. 3:Quatre histoires de blanc et noir, Paris, s.n., 1926. €15,000 to €20,000.
    ALDE, Dec. 3:Le Chef-d'œuvre inconnu, Paris, Ambroise Vollard, 1931. €5,000 to €6,000.
    ALDE, Dec. 3:Hommage à Pablo Picasso, Paris, s.n., 1966. €8,000 to €10,000.
    ALDE, Dec. 3:Qu'est-ce que Thérèse ? C'est les maronniers en fleurs, Paris, Le Soleil Noir, 1974. €5,000 to €6,000.
    ALDE, Dec. 3:Traité des Excitants Modernes, Paris, Yves Rivière, 1989. €6,000 to €8,000.