• Old World Auctions (Nov 11): Lot 41. Rare First State of the First Printed Map Devoted to the Arctic (1595) Est. $14,000 - $17,000
    Old World Auctions (Nov 11): Lot 63. The Largest of the Strada "Leo Belgicus" Editions (1632) Est. $3,250 - $4,000
    Old World Auctions (Nov 11): Lot 71. Blaeu's Stunning Carte-a-Figures Map of the Americas (1640) Est. $4,000 - $4,750
    Old World Auctions (Nov 11): Lot 8. Mariette's Rare and Decorative Map of the World Based on the Work of Hondius (1642) Est. $4,750 - $6,000
    Old World Auctions (Nov 11): Lot 172. 1775 Edition of the Landmark Fry-Jefferson Map of Virginia and Maryland (1775) Est. $12,000 - $15,000
    Old World Auctions (Nov 11): Lot 46. Doppelmayr's Fine Celestial Chart (1742) Est. $800 - $950
    Old World Auctions (Nov 11): Lot 212. First Edition Ski Country Map by Pioneer Hal Shelton (1965) Est. $500 - $700
    Old World Auctions (Nov 11): Lot 732. Ruscelli's Complete Atlas with 69 Maps and Updated Maps of the Continents (1599) Est. $8,000 - $9,500
    Old World Auctions (Nov 11): Lot 329. Ortelius' Map of Iceland Surrounded by Sea Monsters (1585) Est. $11,000 - $13,000
    Old World Auctions (Nov 11): Lot 600. Heinrich Bunting's Rare Map of Asia in the Form of a Pegasus (1581) Est. $3,000 - $3,750
    Old World Auctions (Nov 11): Lot 716. Bible Leaf with Hand-Colored Image of the Adoration of the Magi (1490) Est. $2,000 - $2,300
  • Ketterer Rare Books
    Auction November 23
    Ketterer, Nov. 23: L. Feininger, Collection of autograph letters to Alois J. Schardt, 1920-1955. Est: € 150,000-250,000
    Ketterer, Nov. 23: Flemish book of hours, Ghent-Bruges School around 1480-1500. Est: € 40,000
    Ketterer, Nov. 23: F. de Wit, Atlas maior, um 1700. Est: € 50,000
    Ketterer Rare Books
    Auction November 23
    Ketterer, Nov. 23: A. Stieglitz, Camera Work, 48 volumes, 1903-1914. Est: € 60,000
    Ketterer, Nov. 23: M. Merian & M. Zeiller, Sämtliche Topographien, 21 volumes, 1642-1736. Est: € 50,000
    Ketterer, Nov. 23: R. Indiana and R. Creely, Numbers, 1968. Est: € 4,000
    Ketterer Rare Books
    Auction November 23
    Ketterer, Nov. 23: Salerno Breviarium, Latin manuscript on vellum, North Italy around 1470-1476. Est: € 40,000
    Ketterer, Nov. 23: M. S. Merian, Surinaamsche (&) europische Insecten, 1730. Est: € 30,000
    Ketterer, Nov. 23: M. Beckmann, Jahrmarkt, Portfolio of 10 signed etchings, 1922. Est: € 25,000
    Ketterer Rare Books
    Auction November 23
    Ketterer, Nov. 23: Justinianus, Infortiatum, 1475. Est: € 10,000
    Ketterer, Nov. 23: B. Besler, Hortus Eystettensis, um 1750. Est: € 28,000
    Ketterer, Nov. 23: J. Gris and P. Reverdy, Au soleil du plafond, 1955. Est: € 3,000
  • Heritage, Nov. 18: Orson Welles. Signed Third Revised Final Draft for Citizen Kane (RKO, 1941). July 16, 1940.
    Heritage, Nov. 18: Bob Dylan. Autograph manuscript working lyrics to "Man on the Street."
    Heritage, Nov. 18: Ernest Hemingway. Death in the Afternoon. Inscribed by the author to the daughter of the Spanish Ambassador.
    Heritage, Nov. 18: Jack London. The Call of the Wild. Inscribed by the author.
    Heritage, Nov. 18: John Steinbeck. East of Eden. Inscribed by 27 members of the movie cast and crew, including James Dean and Elia Kazan.
  • Sotheby’s
    Nelson, His Life and His Navy:
    The Clive Richards Collection of Letters and Manuscripts
    November 18, 2026
    Sotheby’s
    Nelson, His Life and His Navy:
    The Clive Richards Collection of Letters and Manuscripts
    November 18, 2026
    Sotheby’s
    Nelson, His Life and His Navy:
    The Clive Richards Collection of Letters and Manuscripts
    November 18, 2026

Auction Update Review

The numbers are strong and it's only February 1st

For the week ended Saturday January 31st 23 sales were archived to Rare Book Transaction History; 3 in euros, 5 in British pounds, 1 in Mexican pesos, and 14 in US dollars.  Turnover was $7,490,858 as 5,730 lots were offered and 4,876 sold for a 85% success rate.  These are strong numbers.

1 auction saw its total proceeds reach a million dollars: 

Arader Galleries. American and European Art on January 24th: $3,266,854

6 auctions saw total sales exceed 100% of the high estimates of all lots offered:

Leslie Hindman Auctioneers. Caribou Ranch and Recording Studio on January 24th: 362.95%
Heritage Auctions. Dow Collection of Lincolnia on January 24th: 170.11%
Tajan. Books - Pierre-André Benoit Collection on January 23rd: 157.92%
Bruun Rasmussen. Old Master Prints on January 26th: 141.19%
Lyon and Turnbull. Rare Books, Manuscripts, Maps and Photographs on January 28th: 123.48%
Alaska Auction. January 10th auction: Prints on January 10th: 100.58%


12 sales saw at least 80% of their lots sell:

Leslie Hindman Auctioneers. Caribou Ranch and Recording Studio on January 24th: 100.00%
National Book Auctions. Symons, Savage, Hemingway, etc. on January 25th: 100.00%
Heritage Auctions. Dow Collection of Lincolnia on January 24th: 99.01%
Heritage Auctions. Comics - Internet bidstart 1/18 on January 25th: 97.86%
Heritage Auctions. Movie Posters - Internet bidstart 1/18 on January 25th: 96.42%
Alaska Auction. January 10th auction: Prints on January 10th: 96.20%
Lyon and Turnbull. Rare Books, Manuscripts, Maps and Photographs on January 28th: 88.62%
Tooveys. Prints on January 28th: 88.00%
Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society. Books on January 9th: 87.99%
Tajan. Books - Pierre-André Benoit Collection on January 23rd: 87.96%
Arader Galleries. American and European Art on January 24th: 82.64%
Bruun Rasmussen. Old Master Prints on January 26th: 80.00%


23 total sales reported this week:

Morton Casa de Subastas. Antiques - prints, maps on January 29th: 33.33%
Tooveys. Prints on January 28th: 88.00%
PBA Galleries. Americana - African American History on January 29th: 68.25%
Dominic Winter Book Auctions. History of Opera & Music, Part Two; Henry Irving & Ellen Terry: Letters, Photographs & Memorabilia on January 29th: 73.33%
Dominic Winter Book Auctions. Printed Books, Maps and Travel; Polar Exploration on January 28th: 77.18%
Lyon and Turnbull. Rare Books, Manuscripts, Maps and Photographs on January 28th: 88.62%
RR Auction. Remarkable Rarity - Internet bidstart 1/15 on January 22nd: 65.31%
National Book Auctions. Symons, Savage, Hemingway, etc. on January 25th: 100.00%
Tajan. Books - Pierre-André Benoit Collection on January 23rd: 87.96%
Heritage Auctions. Rare Books - Internet bidstart 1/22 on January 29th: 78.55%
Bruun Rasmussen. Modern and Contemporary Prints on January 27th: 74.55%
Bruun Rasmussen. Old Master Prints on January 26th: 80.00%
Eldreds. Antiques and Accessories - Books and Prints on January 24th: 74.47%
Bonhams. The Gentleman's Library Sale - Books and Prints on January 28th: 63.27%
Bonhams. Art and Decor - Prints on January 26th: 48.88%
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers. Caribou Ranch and Recording Studio on January 24th: 100.00%
Heritage Auctions. Dow Collection of Lincolnia on January 24th: 99.01%
Skinner. European Prints and Photography on January 23rd: 78.00%
Alaska Auction. January 10th auction: Prints on January 10th: 96.20%
Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society. Books on January 9th: 87.99%
Heritage Auctions. Movie Posters - Internet bidstart 1/18 on January 25th: 96.42%
Heritage Auctions. Comics - Internet bidstart 1/18 on January 25th: 97.86%
Arader Galleries. American and European Art on January 24th: 82.64%

For the week ahead 17 sales are scheduled:

Mon. Feb. 2nd
Bruun Rasmussen. Copenhagen. Old Master Prints. 3 lots
Neret Minet and Tessier. Paris. Marine - Books, Maps, Globes. 85 lots

Tue. Feb. 3rd
Bruun Rasmussen. Copenhagen. Books and Manuscripts. 154 lots
Bruun Rasmussen. Copenhagen. Modern and Contemporary Prints. 38 lots

Wed. Feb. 4th
James D Julia Auctioneers. Fairfield. Fine Art, Asian and Antiques - Decorative Prints - Day 1. 94 lots
Kedem Auction. Jerusalem . Judaica and Isealiana. 56 lots

Thu. Feb. 5th
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Rare Books - Internet bidstart 1/29. 389 lots
James D Julia Auctioneers. Fairfield. Fine Art, Asian and Antiques - Decorative Prints - Day 2. 86 lots

Fri. Feb. 6th
Artcurial. Paris. Automobilia. 54 lots
Florence Number Nine. Florence. Monthly Online Sale - Prints, Books. 11 lots
James D Julia Auctioneers. Fairfield. Fine Art, Asian and Antiques - Decorative Prints - Day 3. 19 lots

Sat. Feb. 7th
Michaans Auctions. Alameda, CA . Estate Auction. 33 lots
Alaska Auction. Anchorage. February 7th Auction - Prints. 23 lots

Sun. Feb. 8th
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Comics - Internet bidstart 2/1.
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Movie Posters - Internet bidstart 2/1.
PBA Galleries. San Francisco. Rare Books and Manuscripts. 196 lots
Carlsen Gallery. Greenville, NY. Mid-Winter Sale - Books and Prints. 7 lots 

It was a solid week and, for the Arader Gallery, an exceptional one.  They are a rare book, map and print dealer with four US locations that is becoming a serious auction house.  Their sales have been running north of a million dollars for each sale but they have been focusing on the traditionally strong months.  This time they achieved a three million dollar outcome in January.  That's really rare.

 

Bruce McKinney

AE 

  • Forum
    Fine Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper
    Thursday 19th November
    Forum, Nov. 19: The ‘Saxe-Meiningen Psalter’, in Latin, illuminated manuscript on vellum, [northern France or adjacent southern Netherlands, second half of the thirteenth century]. £30,000 - £50,000
    Forum, Nov. 19: Crescenzi (Bartolomeo). Nautica mediterranea, 2 parts in 1, second edition, with rare engraved folding map, Rome, Bartolomeo Bonfadino, 1607. £15,000 - £20,000
    Forum, Nov. 19: Aristotle. [The Works], 10 vol.,, translated by Thomas Taylor, Printed for the Translator... by Robert Wilks, 1807-12. £6,000-8,000
    Forum
    Fine Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper
    Thursday 19th November
    Forum, Nov. 19: Turing (Alan).- Alan Turing's Slide Rule, engraved initials "A.M.T. Noli Hoc Furari", alongside other ephemera, housed in early 20th-century letter box, [mid.1920s-40s]. £6,000-8,000
    Forum, Nov. 19: Vitruvius Pollio (Marcus). I Dieci Libri dell'Architettura, translated by Daniele Barbaro, Venice, Francesco Marcolini, 1556. £7,000-10,000
    Forum, Nov. 19: Rowling (J.K.) Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, first edition, hardback issue, first printing, Bloomsbury, 1997. £50,000-70,000
    Forum
    Fine Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper
    Thursday 19th November
    Forum, Nov. 19: Tolkien (J.R.R.) The Lord of the Rings, later impressions, each vol. signed by the author, London, George Allen & Unwin, 1957-58. £15,000-20,000
    Forum, Nov. 19: Gould (John). The Birds of Great Britain, 5 vol., first edition, [1862]-73; plus a presentation copy of Gould's Introduction to the Birds of Great Britain (6). £35,000-45,000
    Forum, Nov. 19: Galilei (Galileo). Istoria e Dimostrazioni intorno alle Macchie Solari e loro accidenti, comprese in tre lettere scritte all’illustrissimo signor Marco Velseri Linceo, first edition, Rome, 1613. £15,000-20,000
    Forum
    Fine Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper
    Thursday 19th November
    Forum, Nov. 19: Gersdorff (Hans von). Feldtbuch der Wund-Arzney, enlarged edition, Strassburg, Hans Schotten, 1540. £20,000-30,000
    Forum, Nov. 19: Kitchin (Thomas). A New Universal Atlas, first edition with maps in full original hand-colouring, Printed and Published by Robert Laurie and James Whittle, 1796. £8,000-12,000
    Forum, Nov. 19: Cassas (Louis François). Voyage Pittoresque de la Syrie, de la Phenicie, de la Palestine, et de la Basse Egypte, 2 vol., first edition, [Paris], 1799. £10,000-15,000
  • Heritage, Dec. 9: Philip K. Dick. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? First edition, author Brian Aldiss’ copy.
    Heritage, Dec. 9: Robert A. Heinlein. Assignment in Eternity. First edition, inscribed by Heinlein to author “Doc” Smith.
    Heritage, Dec. 9: Frank Herbert. Dune. First edition, inscribed by Herbert to his literary agent.
    Heritage, Dec. 9: J. R. R. Tolkien. The Hobbit, or There and Back Again. First edition, first impression, in an unrestored dust jacket.
    Heritage, Dec. 9: Jules Verne. Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas. Exceedingly rare, perhaps unique variant, English sheets bound in an American Osgood binding.
    Heritage, Dec. 9: Isaac Asimov. The Naked Sun. First edition, inscribed by Asimov to Alex Berman, founder of Phantasia Press.