• 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

Auction Update Review

Twenty-six Auctions Archived, Another 26 Upcoming This Week

For the week ended Saturday February 28th, 26 sales were archived to the Rare Book Transaction History database, 4 denominated is euros, 4 in British pounds, 1 in Mexican pesos, and 17 in US dollars.  Turnover was $7,314,574 as 13,516 lots were offered and 8,492 sold for a 64% success rate.  Four sales saw less than 50% of their lots sell.  It happens. 

2 auctions saw total proceeds reach a million dollars:

Heritage Auctions. Comics and Comic Art on February 21st: $3,225,029
Kiefer Buch und Kunstauktionen. Books, Graphics modern and ancient Arts, Antiques on February 14th: $1,354,624

Only one auction saw total sales exceed 100% of the high estimates of all lots offered:

Stair Auctioneers and Appraisers. Prints, Works on Paper on February 21st: 126.01%


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

National Book Auctions. Books, Art and Ephemera - RR, Masons, Mormon, Jewish, etc. on February 22nd: 100.00%
Aspire Auctions. Printed Art - Internet bidstart 2/13 on February 21st: 100.00%
Christies. Interiors - Prints on February 25th: 100.00%
Heritage Auctions. Texas Historical Association Benefit - Internet bidstart 2/3 on February 24th: 100.00%
Heritage Auctions. Comics - Internet bidstart 2/15 on February 22nd: 99.84%
Heritage Auctions. Comics and Comic Art on February 21st: 96.74%
Stair Auctioneers and Appraisers. Prints, Works on Paper on February 21st: 96.55%
Heritage Auctions. Movie Posters - Internet bidstart 2/15 on February 22nd: 96.22%
Copley Fine Art Auctions. The Winter Sale on February 12th: 92.86%
Heritage Auctions. Rare Books - Internet bidstart 2/19 on February 26th: 89.20%
Clars Auction Gallery. Prints and Photographs, Day 1 on February 21st: 89.08%
Sothebys. Of Royal and Noble Descent on February 24th: 87.50%
Christies. Interiors - Prints on February 24th: 85.71%
Bruun Rasmussen. Modern and Contemporary Prints on February 24th: 85.51%
Bloomsbury Auctions. From the Earth to the Moon: Vintage NASA Photographs on February 26th: 83.79%
RR Auction. Remarkable Rarities - bidstart 2/12 on February 19th: 83.46%
Clars Auction Gallery. Prints and Photographs, Day 2 on February 22nd: 81.82%


26 total sales reported this week:

Skinner. Asian Art - Prints on February 26th: 66.67%
Bloomsbury Auctions. From the Earth to the Moon: Vintage NASA Photographs on February 26th: 83.79%
Dominic Winter Book Auctions. British and Continental Prints on February 25th: 72.94%
Bruun Rasmussen. Modern and Contemporary Prints on February 24th: 85.51%
Morton Casa de Subastas. Antiquarian Books and Documents on February 24th: 10.86%
Heritage Auctions. Rare Books - Internet bidstart 2/19 on February 26th: 89.20%
Kiefer Buch und Kunstauktionen. Books, Graphics modern and ancient Arts, Antiques on February 14th: 48.61%
Sothebys. Of Royal and Noble Descent on February 24th: 87.50%
Christies. Interiors - Prints on February 24th: 85.71%
Christies. Interiors - Prints on February 25th: 100.00%
Aspire Auctions. Printed Art - Internet bidstart 2/13 on February 21st: 100.00%
Stair Auctioneers and Appraisers. Prints, Works on Paper on February 21st: 96.55%
ALDE. Antiquarian and Travel Books on February 20th: 65.41%
Copley Fine Art Auctions. The Winter Sale on February 12th: 92.86%
RR Auction. Remarkable Rarities - bidstart 2/12 on February 19th: 83.46%
Heritage Auctions. Texas Historical Association Benefit - Internet bidstart 2/3 on February 24th: 100.00%
Bonhams. Art and Decor - Prints on February 23rd: 59.68%
The Written Word Autographs. Autographs on February 12th: 40.89%
Cowans Auctions. Fine Arts: Prints on February 20th: 68.18%
National Book Auctions. Books, Art and Ephemera - RR, Masons, Mormon, Jewish, etc. on February 22nd: 100.00%
Clars Auction Gallery. Prints and Photographs, Day 2 on February 22nd: 81.82%
Clars Auction Gallery. Prints and Photographs, Day 1 on February 21st: 89.08%
Vermot de Pas. Prints on February 11th: 37.28%
Heritage Auctions. Comics - Internet bidstart 2/15 on February 22nd: 99.84%
Heritage Auctions. Movie Posters - Internet bidstart 2/15 on February 22nd: 96.22%
Heritage Auctions. Comics and Comic Art on February 21st: 96.74%

For the week ahead 26 sales are scheduled:

Mon. Mar. 2nd
Florence Number Nine. Florence. 30215. 14 lots
Bruun Rasmussen. Copenhagen. Old Master Prints. 5 lots
Artcurial. Paris. Aeronautics. 100 lots
Skinner. Boston. Americana - Books and Prints. 11 lots

Tue. Mar. 3rd
Bruun Rasmussen. Copenhagen. Modern and Contemporary Prints. 52 lots

Wed. Mar. 4th
Bonhams. London. Prints and Multiples. 351 lots
Dominic Winter Book Auctions. Gloucestershire. Printed Books, Maps & Documents; Medieval Manuscripts & Illuminated Leaves; Bookbinding Equipment. 620 lots
Bruun Rasmussen. Copenhagen. Modern and Contemporary Prints. 42 lots

Thu. Mar. 5th
PBA Galleries. San Francisco. Fine Golf BooksFine Golf Books & Memorabilia - The Library of John Burns, Part II - with Additions. 626 lots
Swann Galleries. New York. 19th and 20th Century Prints and Drawings. 638 lots
De Baecque and Associes. Lyon. Autographs - Manuscripts. 434 lots
Waverly Auctions. Falls Church. Manuscripts. 16 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Rare Books - Internet bidstart 2/26. 318 lots
Bloomsbury Auctions. London. 19th and 20th Century Photographs from a Private Collection. 211 lots

Fri. Mar. 6th
Bloomsbury Auctions. London. Photo Opportunities. 239 lots
Binoche et Giquello. rue La Boetie, Paris. Library o Guy Bechtel. 242 lots

Sat. Mar. 7th
Addison and Sarova. Macon. Rare Books. 100 lots
Marc van de Wiele Auctions. Brugge. Antiquarian Books. 744 lots
Sothebys. Paris. Comic Strips.
Sothebys. New York. Joy, Love and Peace: The Peter B. Lewis Collection.
Jeschke van vliet Buch und Kunstauktionen GmbH. Berlin-Schoneberg. Rare Books. 317 lots
Alaska Auction. Anchorage. Prints.
Bonhams. Oxford . A PRIVATE EUROPEAN COLLECTION OF VICTORIAN CARRIAGES AND COACHES TO INCLUDE ASSOCIATED MEMORABILIA -.
Michaans Auctions. Alameda, CA . Estate Sale - Books and Prints.

Sun. Mar. 8th
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Comics - Internet bidstart 3/1.
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Movie Posters - Internet bidstart 3/1.

The field is becoming complex.  We know more and increasingly see more.

 

Bruce McKinney

RBH and AE

  • 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