• 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

Sotheby's Paris, Oct 15th.
Click above for details.

AUCTIONATA Oct 14th. Click
image for full details.

The Season in Earnest

For the week ended Saturday 26 September 30 auctions were archived to the Rare Book Hub Transaction Database; 5 denominated in Swiss francs, 6 in euros, 1 in British pounds, 17 in US dollars and 1 in South African rands.  Eight thousand and two lots were offered and 5,852 sold for a 73% success rate.  Turnover was $14,820,868.

6 auctions saw their total proceeds reach a million dollars: 

Swann Galleries. 19th and 20th Century Prints and Drawings on September 24th: $3,698,900 
Bonhams. Fine Books and Manuscripts on September 22nd: $1,780,290 
Arader Galleries. Audubon's Aquatints of Birds and Quads, Important Maps and Natural History Watercolors on September 19th: $1,634,235 
Heritage Auctions. Entertainment and Music Memorabilia on September 20th: $1,334,389 
Bonhams. The History of Science and Technology on September 21st: $1,317,400 
Koller Auctions. A Private Collection of Italian Manuscript Illumination on September 18th: $1,266,359 

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

Dorotheum . Books and Decorative Prints on September 22nd: 196.71% 
Koller Auctions. Prints, Books, Photographs on September 18th: 132.49% 
Kedem Auction. Jewish and Israeli History and Culture on September 8th: 132.32% 
Koller Auctions. A Private Collection of Italian Manuscript Illumination on September 18th: 117.43% 
Bruun Rasmussen. Prints on September 23rd: 112.60% 

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

Carlsen Gallery. Prints, Books on September 20th: 100.00% 
Heritage Auctions. Comics - Internet bidstart 9/13 on September 20th: 99.44% 
Heritage Auctions. Movie Posters - Internet bidstart 9/13 on September 20th: 98.25% 
Heritage Auctions. Rare Books - Internet bidstart 9/17 on September 24th: 90.33% 
Bruun Rasmussen. Old Master Prints on September 21st: 85.71% 
Clars Auction Gallery. Prints on September 19th: 84.25% 
Arader Galleries. Audubon's Aquatints of Birds and Quads, Important Maps and Natural History Watercolors on September 19th: 83.57% 
Koller Auctions. Prints, Books, Photographs on September 18th: 82.61% 
Clars Auction Gallery. Prints on September 20th: 80.62% 
Bonhams. Fine Books and Manuscripts on September 22nd: 80.41% 

The Top 25 Lots Reported This Past Week.
  1. Bonhams THE 1934 NOBEL PRIZE MEDAL FOR PHYSIOLOGY OR MEDICINE. PRESENTED TO GEORGE MINOT FOR HIS PIONEERING WORK ON PERNICIOUS ANEMIA. on September 21st Actual price: USD $545,000.
  2. Bonhams ENIGMA MACHINE. A Rare Early 3-Rotor German Enigma I Enciphering Machines (aka Heeres Enigma), on September 21st Actual price: USD $209,000.
  3. Bonhams Autograph Letter Signed ("Ch. Darwin") on September 21st Actual price: USD $197,000.
  4. Koller Auctions The Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt, & Nubia. on September 19th Actual price: USD $142,655.
  5. Bonhams Gardner's Photographic Sketch Book of the War. on September 22nd Actual price: USD $137,000.
  6. Bonhams An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations. on September 22nd Actual price: USD $137,000.
  7. Bonhams An Essay on the Principle of Population, as It Affects the Future Improvement of Society. on September 22nd Actual price: USD $137,000.
  8. Arader Galleries Wood Ibis, Pl 216 on September 19th Actual price: USD $136,640.
  9. Arader Galleries Toucan on September 19th Actual price: USD $109,800.
  10. Heritage Auctions The First Recording Contract Signed By The Beatles, For The "My Bonnie" Session (Germany, 1961). on September 20th Actual price: USD $93,750.
  11. Bonhams On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life. on September 22nd Actual price: USD $81,250.
  12. Heritage Auctions Beatles - A Sign From the Montreal Bed-In For Peace Signed By John Lennon and Yoko Ono (1969). on September 20th Actual price: USD $75,000.
  13. Heritage Auctions Beatles Yesterday And Today Sealed First State Stereo "Butcher Cover" LP in GEM MINT 10 Condition (Capitol, 1966). on September 20th Actual price: USD $75,000.
  14. Arader Galleries Wood Duck, Pl. 206 on September 19th Actual price: USD $73,200.
  15. Bonhams Autograph Manuscript in Latin on September 21st Actual price: USD $68,750.
  16. Arader Galleries Trumpeter Swan, Mature, Pl. 406 on September 19th Actual price: USD $67,100.
  17. Swann Galleries Les Courses on September 24th Actual price: USD $62,500.
  18. Koller Auctions Historiated initial M with the three Marys at the empty tomb of Christ. on September 18th Actual price: USD $62,315.
  19. Arader Galleries Some of the Best Harts in the Forest on September 19th Actual price: USD $61,000.
  20. Swann Galleries Les Caprices de Goya on September 24th Actual price: USD $55,000.
  21. Swann Galleries Le Permissionaire on September 24th Actual price: USD $55,000.
  22. Swann Galleries Femme assise au Chignon on September 24th Actual price: USD $55,000.
  23. Arader Galleries Orbis Typus Universalis luxta hydrographorum on September 19th Actual price: USD $51,850.
  24. Swann Galleries Imaginations and Objects of the Future on September 24th Actual price: USD $50,000.
  25. Swann Galleries Shadow Dance on September 24th Actual price: USD $50,000.


30 total sales reported this week:

Auctionata. Meet the Masters: From Modern to Pop on September 24th: 61.32%
PBA Galleries. Rare Books and Manuscripts on September 24th: 67.35%
Dorotheum . Books and Decorative Prints on September 22nd: 77.97%
Swann Galleries. 19th and 20th Century Prints and Drawings on September 24th: 68.38%
Bloomsbury Auctions. The Transport Sale on September 23rd: 50.00%
Heritage Auctions. Rare Books - Internet bidstart 9/17 on September 24th: 90.33%
Bruun Rasmussen. Prints on September 23rd: 65.71%
Bruun Rasmussen. Modern and Contemporary Prints on September 22nd: 79.79%
Bruun Rasmussen. Old Master Prints on September 21st: 85.71%
PIASA. Wegman: Dogs on Furniture on September 16th: 70.27%
Arader Galleries. Audubon's Aquatints of Birds and Quads, Important Maps and Natural History Watercolors on September 19th: 83.57%
Koller Auctions. Photography on September 19th: 44.19%
Koller Auctions. Books and Autographs on September 19th: 57.48%
Koller Auctions. Prints on September 18th: 60.64%
Koller Auctions. A Private Collection of Italian Manuscript Illumination on September 18th: 76.06%
Koller Auctions. Prints, Books, Photographs on September 18th: 82.61%
Carlsen Gallery. Prints, Books on September 20th: 100.00%
Skinner. Asian Works of Art - Prints on September 19th: 39.02%
RR Auction. Fine Autographs & Artifacts - Internet bidstart 8/21 on September 16th: 61.15%
PBA Galleries. Fine Books on September 17th: 62.50%
Vermot de Pas. CollectioMania II : Posters, Mai 68 Posters, Abstract and Contemporary Paintings and Prints, Tribal on September 3rd: 37.77%
Clars Auction Gallery. Prints on September 20th: 80.62%
Clars Auction Gallery. Prints on September 19th: 84.25%
Bonhams. Fine Books and Manuscripts on September 22nd: 80.41%
Bonhams. The History of Science and Technology on September 21st: 68.75%
Kedem Auction. Jewish and Israeli History and Culture on September 8th: 72.34%
Quagga Rare Books and Art. Collectible Africana Books, Art and Ephemera - Internet bidstart 9/8 on September 15th: 52.38%
Heritage Auctions. Movie Posters - Internet bidstart 9/13 on September 20th: 98.25%
Heritage Auctions. Comics - Internet bidstart 9/13 on September 20th: 99.44%
Heritage Auctions. Entertainment and Music Memorabilia on September 20th: 75.58%

For the week ahead 29 sales are scheduled: 

Mon. Sep. 28th 
Auctionata. Berlin. Prints and Editions. 140 lots 
Adams Amsterdam Auctions. Amsterdam. Modern Art from the Collection of Frans Molenaar. 272 lots 
Bruun Rasmussen. Copenhagen. Prints. 81 lots 

Tue. Sep. 29th 
Sothebys. London. Prints and Multiples. 175 lots 
Dorotheum . Vienna. Posters, Advertising Art, Comics, Film and Photohistory. 303 lots 
Profiles in History. Calabasas Hills. Hollywood Auction - Day 1. 627 lots 
Sothebys. London. Rock and Pop. 65 lots 
Sothebys. Paris. A Collection of Historical Items. 34 lots 
Adams Amsterdam Auctions. Amsterdam. Design, Photography and Books from the Collection of Frans Molenaar. 125 lots 
Bruun Rasmussen. Copenhagen. Photographs. 137 lots 
Morton Casa de Subastas. México DF CP 11000. Books and Documents. 325 lots 
Potomack Company. Alexandria. Prints, Books. 28 lots 

Wed. Sep. 30th 
Sothebys. London. Exploration & Discovery 1576-1939: The Library of Franklin Brooke-Hitching. Part 4, Q-Z. 350 lots 
Dorotheum . Vienna. Prints. 54 lots 
Ader. PARIS. Photographs. 447 lots 
Sothebys. London. Made in Britain. 190 lots 
PIASA. Paris. Japanese Art: Estate of Madam X - Woodblock Prints. 184 lots 
Profiles in History. Calabasas Hills. Hollywood Auction - Day 2. 611 lots 

Thu. Oct. 1st 
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Rare Books - Internet bidstart 9/24. 403 lots 
Profiles in History. Calabasas Hills. Hollywood Auction - Day 3. 660 lots 
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Chuck Jones Birthday Auction Benefiting the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity. 58 lots 

Fri. Oct. 2nd 
ALDE. Paris. Library of Georges Wendling and other Amateur Collectors. 111 lots 
Holabird Kagin Americana. Reno. Six Day - Million Dollar Auction - Session 4. 586 lots 
Alaska Auction. Anchorage. Books and Prints. 17 lots 

Sat. Oct. 3rd 
Holabird Kagin Americana. Reno. Six Day - Million Dollar Auction - Session 5. 552 lots 
Alaska Auction. Anchorage. Books and Prints. 54 lots 

Sun. Oct. 4th 
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Comics - Internet bidstart 9/27. 
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Movie Posters - Internet bidstart 9/27. 
Holabird Kagin Americana. Reno. Six Day - Million Dollar Auction - Session 6. 7 lots 

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