• 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.
  • 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
PreviousNext

Auction Update Review

22 Sales archived, 20 upcoming

For the week ended Saturday February 14th 22 auctions were archived to the Rare Book Transaction History database; 4 in euros, 1 in British pounds, and 17 in US dollars.  Turnover was $6,310,815 as 3,708 lots were offered and 3,110 sold for an 84% success rate.  Bonhams’ Important Western Americana sale was the runaway best realizing $1,837,498, 17% above the aggregate high estimate.  When the material is very good the outcomes usually are as well.

2 auctions saw their total proceeds reach a million dollars: 


Bonhams. Important Western Americana on February 9th: $1,837,498
Heritage Auctions. Art of Laika Studios on February 12th: $1,030,008

4 auctions saw total sales exceed 100% of the high estimates of all lots offered in the sale:

Michaans Auctions. Estate Auction on February 7th: 250.75%
Sothebys. Collections of the Dukes of Mortemart Castle's Eve on February 11th: 248.25%
Winter Associates. February Auction - Prints on February 10th: 121.03%
Bonhams. Important Western Americana on February 9th: 117.35%


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

Alaska Auction. February 7th Auction - Prints on February 7th: 100.00%
James D Julia Auctioneers. Fine Art, Asian and Antiques - Decorative Prints - Day 3 on February 6th: 100.00%
Heritage Auctions. Comics - Internet bidstart 2/1 on February 8th: 99.54%
Heritage Auctions. Art of Laika Studios on February 12th: 95.67%
Heritage Auctions. Movie Posters - Internet bidstart 2/1 on February 8th: 94.98%
Doyle New York. Doyle at Home: Decorative Prints on February 10th: 92.31%
Heritage Auctions. Rare Books - Internet bidstart 2/5 on February 12th: 89.98%
Christies. Prints and Multiples on February 12th: 89.83%
Bonhams. Important Western Americana on February 9th: 89.40%
Winter Associates. February Auction - Prints on February 10th: 88.00%
Bruun Rasmussen. Modern and Contemporary Prints on February 10th: 82.89%
Sothebys. Collections of the Dukes of Mortemart Castle's Eve on February 11th: 81.48%


22 total sales reported this week:

Swann Galleries. Vintage Posters on February 12th: 67.95%
Christies. Prints and Multiples on February 12th: 89.83%
Heritage Auctions. Art of Laika Studios on February 12th: 95.67%
Heritage Auctions. Rare Books - Internet bidstart 2/5 on February 12th: 89.98%
Bloomsbury Auctions. Bibliophile on February 12th: 74.16%
Sothebys. Collections of the Dukes of Mortemart Castle's Eve on February 11th: 81.48%
Doyle New York. Doyle at Home: Decorative Prints on February 10th: 92.31%
Winter Associates. February Auction - Prints on February 10th: 88.00%
Bruun Rasmussen. Modern and Contemporary Prints on February 10th: 82.89%
Bruun Rasmussen. Old Master Prints on February 9th: 40.00%
Bonhams. Important Western Americana on February 9th: 89.40%
Alaska Auction. February 7th Auction - Prints on February 7th: 100.00%
Artcurial. Automobilia on February 6th: 68.52%
James D Julia Auctioneers. Fine Art, Asian and Antiques - Decorative Prints - Day 3 on February 6th: 100.00%
James D Julia Auctioneers. Fine Art, Asian and Antiques - Decorative Prints - Day 2 on February 5th: 77.91%
James D Julia Auctioneers. Fine Art, Asian and Antiques - Decorative Prints - Day 1 on February 4th: 65.96%
Michaans Auctions. Estate Auction on February 7th: 66.67%
Grays Auctioneers. Post War and Contemporary - Prints on November 5th: 63.77%
Grays Auctioneers. Modern Prints on January 28th: 67.44%
PBA Galleries. Rare Books and Manuscripts on February 8th: 72.45%
Heritage Auctions. Movie Posters - Internet bidstart 2/1 on February 8th: 94.98%
Heritage Auctions. Comics - Internet bidstart 2/1 on February 8th: 99.54%

For the week ahead 20 sales are scheduled:

Mon. Feb. 16th
Bruun Rasmussen. Copenhagen. Old Master Prints. 3 lots

Tue. Feb. 17th
Bruun Rasmussen. Copenhagen. Modern and Contemporary Prints. 20 lots

Wed. Feb. 18th
Grays Auctioneers. Cleveland, . Books and Prints. 43 lots
Old World Auctions. Glen Allen. Maps. 804 lots
Ader. PARIS. Lilique - Graphic Arts - 20th Side. 38 lots

Thu. Feb. 19th
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Rare Books - Internet bidstart 2/12. 428 lots
Heritage Auctions. New York. Comics and Comic Art. 1134 lots
PBA Galleries. San Francisco. The Pamela Harer Collection of Rare & Antiquarian Children's Books, Part II. 600 lots
Swann Galleries. New York. Fine Photographs. 172 lots
RR Auction. Amherst. Remarkable Rarities - bidstart 2/12. 127 lots

Fri. Feb. 20th
Cowans Auctions. Cincinnati. Fine Arts: Prints. 22 lots
ALDE. Paris. Antiquarian and Travel Books. 318 lots

Sat. Feb. 21st
Aspire Auctions. Cleveland. Printed Art - Internet bidstart 2/13. 115 lots
Clars Auction Gallery. Oakland. Prints and Photographs. 67 lots
Stair Auctioneers and Appraisers. Hudson. Prints, Works on Paper. 29 lots

Sun. Feb. 22nd
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Comics - Internet bidstart 2/15.
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Movie Posters - Internet bidstart 2/15.
Bonhams. Los Angeles. Art and Decor - Prints. 62 lots
National Book Auctions. Ithaca. Books.
Clars Auction Gallery. Oakland. Prints and Photographs, Day 2.

It's shaping up as a strong season.

Bruce McKinney

  • 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