• 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
PreviousNext

Auction Update Review

The extensive collection of
fine books and manuscripts
held by Barbara J. Land will
be sold at Bonham's on Sept.
22.

Summer is Coming to an End

For the week ending Saturday September 5th, 18 auctions were archived to the Rare Book Hub Transaction Database; 1 denominated in euros, 2 in British pounds, and 15 in US dollars.  Turnover was $6,453,365 as 4,457 lots were offered and 3,850 sold for an 86% success rate. The biggest numbers in this off-season week came from a Heritage comic book auction, where 99%+ of over 1,300 lots sold, bringing in over $5 million.

 

1 auction saw its total proceeds reach a million dollars: 

Heritage Auctions. Comics on August 29th: $5,128,424 

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

James D Julia Auctioneers. Annual Summer Fine Arts, Asian and Antiques - Session 4 on August 28th: 149.32% 


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

Alaska Auction. Prints on August 26th: 100.00% 
Heritage Auctions. Comics - Internet bidstart 8/23 on August 30th: 99.66% 
Heritage Auctions. Movie Posters - Internet bidstart 8/23 on August 30th: 99.61% 
Heritage Auctions. Comics on August 29th: 99.17% 
Cowans Auctions. Discovery - Live Auction - Prints on August 29th: 97.30% 
Heritage Auctions. Rare Books - Internet bidstart 8/27 on September 3rd: 90.98% 
James D Julia Auctioneers. Annual Summer Fine Arts, Asian and Antiques - Session 1 on August 25th: 90.91% 
James D Julia Auctioneers. Annual Summer Fine Arts, Asian and Antiques - Session 4 on August 28th: 88.24% 
Bruun Rasmussen. Prints on September 1st: 81.82% 
Lyon and Turnbull. Rare Books, Manuscripts, Maps and Photographs on September 2nd: 80.40% 
Winter Associates. Prints on August 31st: 80.00% 


18 total sales reported this week: 

AntiquarianAuctions.com. Books - Internet Bidstart 8/27 on September 3rd: 44.29% 
Alaska Auction. Prints on August 26th: 100.00% 
Eldreds. Asian Art Auction - Books on August 29th: 33.33% 
Bloomsbury Auctions. Autographs and Memorabilia on September 4th: 73.81% 
Lyon and Turnbull. Rare Books, Manuscripts, Maps and Photographs on September 2nd: 80.40% 
Heritage Auctions. Rare Books - Internet bidstart 8/27 on September 3rd: 90.98% 
Bruun Rasmussen. Prints on September 1st: 81.82% 
Winter Associates. Prints on August 31st: 80.00% 
Mid Hudson Auction Galleries. Prints, Books on August 29th: 0.00% 
Cowans Auctions. Discovery - Live Auction - Prints on August 29th: 97.30% 
James D Julia Auctioneers. Annual Summer Fine Arts, Asian and Antiques - Session 4 on August 28th: 88.24% 
James D Julia Auctioneers. Annual Summer Fine Arts, Asian and Antiques - Session 3 on August 27th: 67.65% 
James D Julia Auctioneers. Annual Summer Fine Arts, Asian and Antiques - Session 2 on August 26th: 79.55% 
James D Julia Auctioneers. Annual Summer Fine Arts, Asian and Antiques - Session 1 on August 25th: 90.91% 
Eldreds. Japanese Arts - Prints on August 26th: 75.46% 
Heritage Auctions. Movie Posters - Internet bidstart 8/23 on August 30th: 99.61% 
Heritage Auctions. Comics - Internet bidstart 8/23 on August 30th: 99.66% 
Heritage Auctions. Comics on August 29th: 99.17% 

The Top 25 Lots Reported This Past Week.
  1. Heritage Auctions Suspense Comics #3 Pennsylvania pedigree (Continental Magazines, 1944) CBCS VF/NM 9.0 White pages. on August 29th Actual price: USD $173,275.
  2. Heritage Auctions John Byrne and Terry Austin X-Men #137 Double Splash Pages 2-3 Original Art (Marvel, 1980). on August 29th Actual price: USD $167,300.
  3. Heritage Auctions All-American Comics #16 (DC, 1940) CGC FN+ 6.5 Cream to off-white pages. on August 29th Actual price: USD $110,538.
  4. Heritage Auctions Alex Raymond Flash Gordon and Jungle Jim Sunday Comic Strip Original Art dated 1-27-35 (King Features Syndication, 1935). on August 29th Actual price: USD $95,600.
  5. Heritage Auctions Frank Frazetta The Amsirs and the Iron Thorn Painted Book Cover Original Art (Fawcett, 1967). on August 29th Actual price: USD $89,625.
  6. Heritage Auctions Carl Barks Sailboat Donald Duck Painting CB-OIL 19 Original Art (1972). on August 29th Actual price: USD $71,700.
  7. Heritage Auctions Marvel Comics #1 (Timely, 1939) CGC VG 4.0 Cream to off-white pages. on August 29th Actual price: USD $68,713.
  8. Heritage Auctions Action Comics #23 (DC, 1940) CGC VF+ 8.5 Cream to off-white pages. on August 29th Actual price: USD $65,725.
  9. Heritage Auctions George Wilson Magnus, Robot Fighter #1 Cover Painting Original Art (Gold Key, 1963). on August 29th Actual price: USD $54,970.
  10. Heritage Auctions The Incredible Hulk #1 (Marvel, 1962) CGC VF- 7.5 Off-white pages. on August 29th Actual price: USD $50,190.
  11. Heritage Auctions Jack Kirby and Vince Colletta New Gods #4 Cover Original Art (DC, 1971). on August 29th Actual price: USD $45,410.
  12. Heritage Auctions Frank Miller and Klaus Janson Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #2 Page 8 Original Art (DC, 1986). on August 29th Actual price: USD $40,630.
  13. Heritage Auctions Frank Frazetta Tarzan At The Earth's Core Bear Attack Illustration and Preliminary Original Art Group of 2 (Canaveral Press, 1962). on August 29th Actual price: USD $40,630.
  14. Heritage Auctions George Tuska and Frank Giacoia Iron Man #8 Cover Original Art (Marvel, 1968). on August 29th Actual price: USD $38,240.
  15. Heritage Auctions George Tuska and Frank Giacoia Iron Man #5 Cover Original Art (Marvel, 1968). on August 29th Actual price: USD $38,240.
  16. Heritage Auctions Curt Swan and George Klein Superboy #113 Cover Original Art (DC, 1964). on August 29th Actual price: USD $38,240.
  17. Heritage Auctions Steve Ditko Beware the Creeper #2 Cover Original Art (DC, 1968). on August 29th Actual price: USD $38,240.
  18. Heritage Auctions Detective Comics #37 (DC, 1940) CGC VF- 7.5 Off-white to white pages. on August 29th Actual price: USD $38,240.
  19. Heritage Auctions Ron Wilson and John Romita Avengers #123 Cover Original Art (Marvel, 1974). on August 29th Actual price: USD $35,850.
  20. Heritage Auctions Jack Kirby and Mike Royer Our Fighting Forces #158 Complete Issue Original Art Group of 19 (DC, 1975). on August 29th Actual price: USD $35,850.
  21. Heritage Auctions Jack Kirby and Dick Ayers Fantastic Four Annual #1 Page 24 Namor Original Art (Marvel, 1963). on August 29th Actual price: USD $35,850.
  22. Heritage Auctions Johnny Craig Vault of Horror #28 Zombie Cover Original Art (EC, 1952). on August 29th Actual price: USD $33,460.
  23. James D Julia Auctioneers TSUGUHARU FOUJITA (Japanese, 1886-1968) “A BOOK OF CATS: BEING 20 DRAWINGS”. on August 28th Actual price: USD $32,588.
  24. Heritage Auctions Charles Schulz Peanuts Daily Comic Strip Original Art dated 3-21-69 (United Feature Syndicate, 1969). on August 29th Actual price: USD $31,070.
  25. Heritage Auctions Superman #1 Verified Signature -- Signed By Siegel, Shuster, and Others (DC, 1939) CBCS Conserved GD- 1.8 Cream to off-white pages. on August 29th Actual price: USD $31,070.



For the week ahead 20 sales are scheduled:

Mon. Sep. 7th
Australian Book Auctions. Armadale, . Books. 297 lots
Bruun Rasmussen. Copenhagen. Prints. 62 lots

Tue. Sep. 8th
Kedem Auction. Jerusalem . Jewish and Israeli History and Culture. 482 lots

Wed. Sep. 9th
Tooveys. West Sussex. Prints. 29 lots
Grays Auctioneers. Cleveland, . Antiques, Scientific Instruments - Books and Papers. 5 lots

Thu. Sep. 10th
Bloomsbury Auctions. London. Bibliophile. 382 lots
Waverly Auctions. Falls Church. Rare Books. 415 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Rare Books - Internet bidstart 9/3. 420 lots
Rago Arts and Auctions. Lambertville. Asian Arts - Woodblock Prints. 100 lots

Fri. Sep. 11th
Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society. Lancaster. Rare and Used Books. 501 lots
Skinner. Boston. Fine Prints and Photographs. 139 lots
Charlton Hall. West Columbia, SC. Fall International Sale. 67 lots
Rago Arts and Auctions. Lambertville. Great Estates Auction - Books and Prints. 33 lots
Brunk Auctions. Asheville, NC . Catalogue Auction: Books and Prints. 12 lots

Sat. Sep. 12th
Neal Auction Company. New Orleans. Fall Estates Auction - Books and Prints - Day 1. 46 lots
Michaans Auctions. Alameda, CA . Estate Auction. 42 lots

Sun. Sep. 13th
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Comics - Internet bidstart 9/6.
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Movie Posters - Internet bidstart 9/6.
National Book Auctions. Ithaca. Books and Ephemera.
Neal Auction Company. New Orleans. Fall Estates Auction - Books and Prints - Day 2. 45 lots

The slower summer season concludes this week with America's last summer holiday - Labor Day. After that, expect the pace to pick up as auctions begin their busiest time of the year.

 

Mike Stillman

RBH and 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.