• 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

Click image above for info
on Swann consignments.

Click image above for info
on Bonham consignments.

The air chills and the season warms

For the week ended Saturday August 22nd 16 auctions were archived to the Rare Book Transaction History database; 1 in Australian dollars, 4 in euros, 2 in British pounds, 1 in Mexican pesos and 8 in US dollars.  Turnover was $2,103,837 dollars as 6,567 lots were offered and 4,433 sold for a 68% success rate. We are in the doldrums.

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

Potter and Potter Auctions. Magic Memorabilia on August 12th: 112.41% 
Bloomsbury Auctions. Summer Book Sale on August 20th: 101.50% 


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

Alaska Auction. Prints on August 5th: 100.00% 
Potter and Potter Auctions. Magic Memorabilia on August 12th: 97.78% 
Heritage Auctions. Movie Posters - Internet bidstart 8/9 on August 16th: 96.81% 
Heritage Auctions. Comics - Internet bidstart 8/9 on August 16th: 96.54% 
Heritage Auctions. Rare Books - Internet bidstart 8/13 on August 20th: 83.60% 
Bloomsbury Auctions. Summer Book Sale on August 20th: 82.65% 


16 total sales were reported this week: 

PBA Galleries. Fine Literature with the Wayne Martin Collection of Jack London, Part Two on August 20th: 73.00% 
Michael Treloar. Modern Literature on August 20th: 56.86% 
Jeschke van vliet Buch und Kunstauktionen GmbH. Rare Books, Art and Antiques - Part 2 on August 15th: 51.88% 
Jeschke van vliet Buch und Kunstauktionen GmbH. Rare Books, Art and Antiques - Part 1, Day 2 on August 14th: 29.07% 
Jeschke van vliet Buch und Kunstauktionen GmbH. Rare Books, Art and Antiques - Day 1 on August 13th: 34.34% 
Morton Casa de Subastas. Prints on August 20th: 47.46% 
Bloomsbury Auctions. Summer Book Sale on August 20th: 82.65% 
Potter and Potter Auctions. Magic Memorabilia on August 12th: 97.78% 
Alaska Auction. Prints on August 5th: 100.00% 
RR Auction. Fine Autographs & Artifacts - Internet bidstart 7/24 on August 12th: 59.20% 
Heritage Auctions. Rare Books - Internet bidstart 8/13 on August 20th: 83.60% 
Bruun Rasmussen. Prints on August 18th: 69.23% 
Tooveys. Prints on August 12th: 78.79% 
Heritage Auctions. Comics - Internet bidstart 8/9 on August 16th: 96.54% 
Heritage Auctions. Movie Posters - Internet bidstart 8/9 on August 16th: 96.81% 
Archives International Auctions. The Rudolph P. Laubenheimer Family Archives on June 25th: 60.85% 

The Top 25 Lots Reported This Past Week.
  1. Morton Casa de Subastas Retrato de Moi¯se Kisling, de la serie Cahier de Musique on August 20th Actual price: USD $54,000.
  2. RR Auction Isaac Newton DS on August 12th Actual price: USD $33,445.
  3. RR Auction Gustav Mahler Handwritten musical manuscript on August 12th Actual price: USD $27,117.
  4. RR Auction Virginia Capers Tony award on August 12th Actual price: USD $24,959.
  5. RR Auction James Joyce ALSs on August 12th Actual price: USD $24,651.
  6. Morton Casa de Subastas Un domingo en la tarde on August 20th Actual price: USD $23,040.
  7. RR Auction Alexander Hamilton ALS on August 12th Actual price: USD $18,520.
  8. Jeschke van vliet Buch und Kunstauktionen GmbH Das Krönungsevangeliar des Heiligen Römischen Reiches. on August 15th Actual price: USD $17,640.
  9. RR Auction Johnny Cash Handwritten Lyrics on August 12th Actual price: USD $16,771.
  10. RR Auction Sean O’Casey Archive on August 12th Actual price: USD $16,409.
  11. RR Auction Carl Maria von Weber Autograph musical manuscript on August 12th Actual price: USD $12,105.
  12. Potter and Potter Auctions Kellar’s Startling Wonder. The Cassadaga Propaganda. on August 12th Actual price: USD $12,000.
  13. Morton Casa de Subastas Sin titulo on August 20th Actual price: USD $11,520.
  14. Jeschke van vliet Buch und Kunstauktionen GmbH Sumo. Redaktion June Newton. on August 15th Actual price: USD $11,290.
  15. RR Auction Martin Luther King, Jr Publication on August 12th Actual price: USD $10,760.
  16. RR Auction Margaret Mitchell ALS on August 12th Actual price: USD $10,450.
  17. RR Auction Pink Floyd Album on August 12th Actual price: USD $9,500.
  18. RR Auction Jimi Hendrix DS on August 12th Actual price: USD $9,315.
  19. RR Auction Abraham Lincoln Check on August 12th Actual price: USD $9,093.
  20. RR Auction Gustav Klimt ALS on August 12th Actual price: USD $8,998.
  21. RR Auction Marilyn Monroe DS on August 12th Actual price: USD $8,892.
  22. Jeschke van vliet Buch und Kunstauktionen GmbH Umfangreiche Sammlung einer aufgelösten Bibliothek für Naturwissenschaften und Geschichte der Naturwissenschaften (mit Werken von etwa 1850 - 1930). on August 15th Actual price: USD $8,467.
  23. RR Auction Grateful Dead Guitar on August 12th Actual price: USD $8,084.
  24. RR Auction Richard Wagner SP on August 12th Actual price: USD $7,893.
  25. Jeschke van vliet Buch und Kunstauktionen GmbH Die Grundlagen der Arithmetik. Eine logisch mathematische Untersuchung über den Begriff der Zahl. on August 15th Actual price: USD $7,762.



For the week ahead 20 sales are scheduled:

Mon. Aug. 24th
Bruun Rasmussen. Copenhagen. Prints. 84 lots

Tue. Aug. 25th
Bruun Rasmussen. Copenhagen. Books and Maps. 185 lots
James D Julia Auctioneers. Fairfield. Annual Summer Fine Arts, Asian and Antiques - Session 1. 11 lots
Auctionata. Berlin. Photography. 173 lots
Eldreds. East Dennis,. Japanese Arts - Prints. 216 lots
Morton Casa de Subastas. México DF CP 11000. Photography, Documents, Prints, Antiquarian and Contemporary Books. 307 lots

Wed. Aug. 26th
Alaska Auction. Anchorage. Prints. 17 lots
Bearnes Hampton and Littlewood. Exeter. Antiquarian Books, Maps and Prints. 399 lots
James D Julia Auctioneers. Fairfield. Annual Summer Fine Arts, Asian and Antiques - Session 2. 44 lots

Thu. Aug. 27th
Bloomsbury Auctions. London. Interiors - Prints. 5 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Comics. 1332 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Rare Books - Internet bidstart 8/20. 406 lots
Eldreds. East Dennis,. Asian Art Auction - Books. 12 lots
Auctionata. Berlin. Erotica. 104 lots
James D Julia Auctioneers. Fairfield. Annual Summer Fine Arts, Asian and Antiques - Session 3. 34 lots

Fri. Aug. 28th
James D Julia Auctioneers. Fairfield. Annual Summer Fine Arts, Asian and Antiques - Session 4. 17 lots

Sat. Aug. 29th
Cowans Auctions. Cincinnati. Discovery - Live Auction - Prints. 37 lots
Mid Hudson Auction Galleries. Cornwall-on-Hudson, . Prints, Books. 73 lots

Sun. Aug. 30th
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Comics - Internet bidstart 8/23.
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Movie Posters - Internet bidstart 8/23.

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