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Auction Update Review

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info on Cowan's auction.

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info on Bonham's auction.

43 Auctions Archived, 19 Sales Upcoming

The spring auction season appears to have hit its peak this past week. For the week ending May 28, 43 auctions were archived to the Rare Book Transaction History, 20 denominated in U.S. dollars, 16 in euros, 5 in British pounds, 1 in Australian dollars, and 1 in Hong Kong dollars. Sales were $27,418,635, as 11,308 lots were offered and 8,896 sold, for a healthy 76.9% success rate. A Shakespeare First Folio, and two critically important and signed Abraham Lincoln items highlighted the week.
 

6 auctions saw their total proceeds reach a million dollars:

Sothebys. Two Centuries of American History on May 25th: $6,183,250
Christies. Comic Strips on May 21st: $4,135,124
Christies. Shakespeare - The Four Folios on May 25th: $3,644,130
Christies. Illustrated Manuscripts from the Collection of Maurice Burros on May 25th: $3,267,811
Sothebys. Music, Continental and Russian Books and Manuscripts on May 24th: $2,279,904
ALDE. 2006-2016 Alde 10th Anniversary! - Books, Manuscripts, Coins on May 24th: $1,395,094

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

Bonhams. Prints, Photographs and Works on Paper on May 22nd: 423.86%
Burgersdijk and Niermans. Rare Books on May 11th: 142.70%
Ferraton. Antiquarian and Modern Books, Autographs on May 20th: 135.36%
Christies. Shakespeare - The Four Folios on May 25th: 132.57%
Jacksons Auction. World Treasures: Important Russian, European, Asian & American Works on May 25th: 121.71%
Beaussant Lefevre. Old and Modern Books, Autographs and Photographs on May 24th: 121.65%
Ader. Ancient and Modern Prints on May 19th: 115.27%
Christies. Comic Strips on May 21st: 109.20%
Ader. Ancient and Modern Prints - Part 2 on May 20th: 105.56%
Potter and Potter Auctions. Two of A Kind - Gambling and Playing Cards on May 21st: 100.80%


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

Carlsen Gallery. LATE MAY FINE ART & ANTIQUE AUCTION - Books and Prints on May 22nd: 100.00%
Heritage Auctions. Comics - Internet bidstart 5/15 on May 22nd: 100.00%
Christies. Shakespeare - The Four Folios on May 25th: 100.00%
Burgersdijk and Niermans. Rare Books on May 11th: 99.41%
Heritage Auctions. Movie Posters - Internet bidstart 5/15 on May 22nd: 99.05%
Heritage Auctions. Space Exploration on May 20th: 97.51%
Jacksons Auction. World Treasures: Important Russian, European, Asian & American Works on May 25th: 92.86%
Christies. Illustrated Manuscripts from the Collection of Maurice Burros on May 25th: 92.31%
Potter and Potter Auctions. Two of A Kind - Gambling and Playing Cards on May 21st: 88.41%
Stair Auctioneers and Appraisers. Exposition Auction - Books and Prints on May 21st: 86.96%
Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society. Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society: Rare, Out of Print and Used Books on May 13th: 81.96%
Brunk Auctions. Books, Prints on May 13th: 81.82%
Kedem Auction. Online- Rare Books, Bibliophilic Editions, and Art on May 24th: 80.56%


43 total sales reported this week:

Keys Fine Arts Auctioneers. Marine and Travel - Books on May 26th: 37.50%
Beaussant Lefevre. Old and Modern Books, Autographs and Photographs on May 24th: 75.43%
Carlsen Gallery. LATE MAY FINE ART & ANTIQUE AUCTION - Books and Prints on May 22nd: 100.00%
Burgersdijk and Niermans. Rare Books on May 11th: 99.41%
Christies. Illustrated Manuscripts from the Collection of Maurice Burros on May 25th: 92.31%
Jacksons Auction. World Treasures: Important Russian, European, Asian & American Works on May 24th: 64.52%
Jacksons Auction. World Treasures: Important Russian, European, Asian & American Works on May 25th: 92.86%
Bloomsbury Auctions. Fine Books and Works on Paper on May 25th: 64.88%
Pierre Berge and Associes. Archeologie - Books on May 25th: 37.50%
Purcell Auctioneers. Antiques and Collectables -Books and Prints on May 25th: 64.41%
Christies. Shakespeare - The Four Folios on May 25th: 100.00%
Sothebys. Two Centuries of American History on May 25th: 58.51%
Ader. Historical Memories on May 25th: 44.44%
Australian Book Auctions. May Gallery Sale on May 24th: 73.48%
Ferraton. Antiquarian and Modern Books, Autographs on May 20th: 78.96%
Alexander Historical Auctions. Autographs - Day 1 on May 25th: 70.62%
Thomaston Place Auction Galleries. Spring Auction, Day 2 on May 22nd: 75.00%
Thomaston Place Auction Galleries. Spring Auction, Day 1 on May 21st: 50.00%
Eldreds. Antiques and Accessories - Books and Prints on May 21st: 57.58%
Brunk Auctions. Books, Prints on May 13th: 81.82%
Minerva Auctions Roma. Photography on May 10th: 39.39%
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers. Fine Prints on May 24th: 67.99%
PIASA. Editions : prints, illustrated books, multiples on May 24th: 56.52%
Sothebys. Music, Continental and Russian Books and Manuscripts on May 24th: 60.00%
PIASA. HERGÉ, in partnership with Moulinsart SA on May 24th: 28.65%
ALDE. 2006-2016 Alde 10th Anniversary! - Books, Manuscripts, Coins on May 24th: 70.27%
Kedem Auction. Online- Rare Books, Bibliophilic Editions, and Art on May 24th: 80.56%
Bruun Rasmussen. Prints on May 24th: 76.67%
Potter and Potter Auctions. Two of A Kind - Gambling and Playing Cards on May 21st: 88.41%
Shapiro Auctions. FINE AND DECORATIVE ART AND ANTIQUES - Books and Prints on May 21st: 45.11%
Clars Auction Gallery. Art, Furniture, Jewelry, Asian - Prints on May 22nd: 73.50%
Clars Auction Gallery. Prints on May 21st: 77.91%
Christian Hesse Auktionen. Valuable Books from 16th to 20th Century Children Books from the Collection Victor Günthert, Munich on May 21st: 69.40%
Christian Hesse Auktionen. Paintings, drawings, and graphics, from 16th to 20th Century – Photography on May 20th: 43.46%
Ader. Ancient and Modern Prints - Part 2 on May 20th: 73.96%
Ader. Ancient and Modern Prints on May 19th: 66.06%
Bonhams. Prints, Photographs and Works on Paper on May 22nd: 59.34%
Stair Auctioneers and Appraisers. Exposition Auction - Books and Prints on May 21st: 86.96%
Christies. Comic Strips on May 21st: 72.51%
Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society. Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society: Rare, Out of Print and Used Books on May 13th: 81.96%
Heritage Auctions. Comics - Internet bidstart 5/15 on May 22nd: 100.00%
Heritage Auctions. Movie Posters - Internet bidstart 5/15 on May 22nd: 99.05%
Heritage Auctions. Space Exploration on May 20th: 97.51%

Top 25 Lots Reported This Past Week.
  1. Christies COMEDIES, HISTORIES, AND TRAGEDIES, EDITED BY JOHN HEMINGE (D. 1630) AND HENRY CONDELL (D. 1627). on May 25th Actual price: USD $2,755,515.
  2. Sothebys AN EXTREMELY RARE  MANUSCRIPT COPY OF THE THIRTEENTH AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION, SIGNED AND ENDORSED BY ABRAHAM LINCOLN ("ABRAHAM LINCOLN"; "APPROVED. FEBRUARY 1, 1865.") on May 25th Actual price: USD $2,410,000.
  3. Sothebys THE "AUTHORIZED EDITION" OF THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION, SIGNED BY PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN on May 25th Actual price: USD $2,170,000.
  4. Christies MIROIR HISTORIAL ABRÉGÉ DE FRANCE of Anthony of Burgundy, in Latin and French, illuminated manuscript on vellum on May 25th Actual price: USD $691,635.
  5. Christies HERGÉ TINTIN on May 21st Actual price: USD $673,680.
  6. Sothebys ZWEYTER THEIL DER CLAVIER UBUNG BESTEHEND IN EINEM CONCERTO NACH ITALIENISCHEN GUSTO UND EINER O[U]VERTURE NACH FRANZÖSISCHER ART, VOR EIN CLAVICYMBEL MIT ZWEYEN MANUALEN. on May 24th Actual price: USD $655,540.
  7. Christies COMEDIES, HISTORIES AND TRAGEDIES. PUBLISHED ACCORDING TO THE TRUE ORIGINAL COPIES. THE THIRD IMPRESSION. AND UNTO THIS IMPRESSION IS ADDED SEVEN PLAYES, NEVER BEFORE PRINTED IN FOLIO. EDITED BY JOHN HEMINGE (D. 1630) AND HENRY CONDELL (D. 1627), EXCEPT F on May 25th Actual price: USD $532,875.
  8. Christies BOOK OF HOURS, use of Paris, in Latin and French, illuminated manuscript on vellum on May 25th Actual price: USD $391,755.
  9. Christies HERGÉ TINTIN COKE
  10.  EN STOCK (T.19), CASTERMAN 1958 on May 21st Actual price: USD $324,240.
  11. Sothebys THE AUTOGRAPH MANUSCRIPT OF THE SYMPHONIC FANTASIA "POHJOLAN TYTÄR" (''POHJOLA’S DAUGHTER''), OP.49, SIGNED ''JEAN SIBELIUS''  on May 24th Actual price: USD $322,660.
  12. Christies BOOK OF HOURS, use of Paris, in Latin and French, illuminated manuscript on vellum on May 25th Actual price: USD $321,195.
  13. Christies COMEDIES, HISTORIES AND TRAGEDIES. PUBLISHED ACCORDING TO THE TRUE ORIGINALL COPIES. THE SECOND IMPRESSION. EDITED BY JOHN HEMINGE (D. 1630) AND HENRY CONDELL (D. 1627). on May 25th Actual price: USD $285,915.
  14. Sothebys AUTOGRAPH DOCUMENT SIGNED ("TH: JEFFERSON"), BEING A MESSAGE TO CONGRESS ON BRITISH VIOLATIONS OF AMERICAN NEUTRALITY on May 25th Actual price: USD $274,000.
  15. Christies BOOK OF HOURS OF ANTHONY OF BURGUNDY, use of Rome, in Latin and French, illuminated manuscript on vellum on May 25th Actual price: USD $268,275.
  16. Christies HERGÉ TINTIN L’ÉTOILE MYSTÉRIEUSE on May 21st Actual price: USD $257,040.
  17. Bonhams Untitled on May 22nd Actual price: USD $254,800.
  18. Christies ALBERT UDERZO ASTÉRIX, LES LAURIERS DE CÉSAR (T.18), DARGAUD 1972 on May 21st Actual price: USD $230,160.
  19. Christies EDGAR P. JACOBS BLAKE ET MORTIMER LE MYSTÈRE DE LA GRANDE PYRAMIDE T.2 (T.4), LE LOMBARD 1955 on May 21st Actual price: USD $230,160.
  20. Christies FRANQUIN GASTON GALA DE GAFFES (T.2), DUPUIS 1963 FRANQUIN - JIDÉHEM, on May 21st Actual price: USD $230,160.
  21. Christies ANDRÉ FRANQUIN GASTON, LAGAFFE NOUS GÂTE (T.8), DUPUIS 1970 on May 21st Actual price: USD $219,408.
  22. Sothebys DOCUMENT SIGNED IN FULL ("THOMAS LYNCH JUNR"), ON BEHALF OF HIS FATHER, THOMAS LYNCH, SR., THEN A SOUTH CAROLINA DELEGATE TO THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS MEETING IN PHILADELPHIA on May 25th Actual price: USD $212,500.
  23. ALDE Pensées sur la religion et sur quelques autres sujets, qui ont esté trouvées après sa mort parmy ses papiers. – [FILLEAU DE LA CHAISE (Nicolas)]. Discours sur les Pensées de M. Pascal. on May 24th Actual price: USD $204,960.
  24. Sothebys CLAY'S CELEBRATED SPEECH IN "DEFENSE OF THE AMERICAN SYSTEM" on May 25th Actual price: USD $187,500.
  25. Heritage Auctions Apollo 11 Lunar Module Flown LM G and N Dictionary Lunar Module Landing Sequence Pages PGNS-43 through PGNS-48 Originally from the Personal Collection of Mission Lunar Module Pilot Buzz Aldrin, each Signed and Certified on Both Sides, with Extensive Signe on May 20th Actual price: USD $175,000.


For the week ahead 19 sales are scheduled:

Mon. May. 30th
Artcurial. Paris. Limited Editions. 59 lots
John McInnis Auctioneers. Amesbury. Americana. 76 lots

Tue. May. 31st
Sothebys. Paris. Books and Manuscripts. 239 lots
Artcurial. Paris. Books and Manuscripts. 84 lots
Rossini. Paris. The Art of Advertising. 101 lots

Wed. Jun. 1st
Binoche et Giquello. rue La Boetie, Paris. Precious Books - Library of Jean Viardot. 82 lots
Galerie Bassenge. Berlin-Grunewald . 19th - 21st Century Photography. 362 lots
Auctionata. Berlin. Prints and Editions. 202 lots
Rossini. Paris. Autographs, Books. 340 lots

Thu. Jun. 2nd
Ader. PARIS. Photographs. 437 lots
PBA Galleries. San Francisco. Rare Books and Manuscripts. 303 lots
Bloomsbury Auctions. London. Interiors - Prints. 5 lots

Fri. Jun. 3rd
AntiquarianAuctions.com. Cape Town. Rare Books - Internet bidstart 5/26. 342 lots
Nosbüsch & Stucke. Berlin. Books - Day 1. 666 lots

Sat. Jun. 4th
Nosbüsch & Stucke. Berlin. Books - Day 2. 834 lots

Sun. Jun. 5th
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Comics - Internet bidstart 5/29.
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Movie Posters - Internet bidstart 5/29.
Grogan and Company. Dedham. The June Auction - Prints. 23 lots
National Book Auctions. Ithaca. Books.

The number of sales slips back this coming week, in part because of the American Memorial Day holiday, and partly because we are approaching the quieter summer season.

Michael Stillman

RBH and AE

  • 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
  • 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