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Auction Update Review

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19 Auctions Archived, 19 Sales Upcoming

For the week ended Saturday 16 July 2016 19 auctions were archived to the Rare Book Hub Transaction Database; 7 denominated in euros, 5 in British pounds, and 7 in US dollars.  Turnover was $20,109,979 as 3,596 lots were offered and 2,595 sold for a 72% success rate.  The list of top 25 lots this week tells the story of continuing interest at the top of the field.

3 auctions saw their total proceeds reach a million dollars:

Christies. Valuable Books and Manuscripts on July 13th: $9,205,846
Christies. THE GIANCARLO BELTRAME LIBRARY OF SCIENTIFIC BOOKS, PART I on July 13th: $7,148,328
Sothebys. English Literature, History, Children's Books & Illustrations on July 12th: $2,062,472

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

Kedem Auction. Books, Chassidim, Manuscripts, Rabbinic Letters on July 11th: 166.67%
John McInnis Auctioneers. Hopedale Mass. On Site Auction on July 7th: 146.08%
Kedem Auction. Manuscripts, Graphics on July 12th: 143.26%
Artcurial. Automobilia on July 9th: 110.16%
Minerva Auctions Roma. Books, Autographs and Prints - Session 3 on July 8th: 109.64%


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

Heritage Auctions. Comics - Internet bidstart 7/3 on July 10th: 99.38%
Heritage Auctions. Movie Posters - Internet bidstart 7/3 on July 10th: 99.11%
John McInnis Auctioneers. Hopedale Mass. On Site Auction on July 7th: 97.83%
Artcurial. Automobilia on July 9th: 87.50%
Kedem Auction. Books, Chassidim, Manuscripts, Rabbinic Letters on July 11th: 85.49%


19 total sales reported this week:

Tooveys. Prints on July 13th: 70.37%
Auctionata. Decorate. Art Deco, Bauhaus, Contemporary Collectibles - Prints on July 13th: 27.27%
Christies. Valuable Books and Manuscripts on July 13th: 65.29%
Christies. THE GIANCARLO BELTRAME LIBRARY OF SCIENTIFIC BOOKS, PART I on July 13th: 65.00%
Auctionata. Castle of Style: Books on July 12th: 19.05%
Sothebys. English Literature, History, Children's Books & Illustrations on July 12th: 73.31%
Kedem Auction. Manuscripts, Graphics on July 12th: 62.28%
Tooveys. Antiquarian and Collectors Books on July 11th: 62.96%
Kedem Auction. Books, Chassidim, Manuscripts, Rabbinic Letters on July 11th: 85.49%
Auctionata. Figurative Art of the 20th and 21st Centuries on July 11th: 4.41%
Auctionata. Abstract Art of the 21st Century - Prints on July 11th: 16.67%
Michaans Auctions. July Estate Auction on July 9th: 72.22%
Brunk Auctions. Books, Prints on July 9th: 72.84%
Artcurial. Automobilia on July 9th: 87.50%
Minerva Auctions Roma. Books, Autographs and Prints - Session 3 on July 8th: 45.31%
Minerva Auctions Roma. Books, Autographs and Prints - Session 2 on July 8th: 34.49%
John McInnis Auctioneers. Hopedale Mass. On Site Auction on July 7th: 97.83%
Heritage Auctions. Movie Posters - Internet bidstart 7/3 on July 10th: 99.11%
Heritage Auctions. Comics - Internet bidstart 7/3 on July 10th: 99.38%

 

Top 25 Lots Reported This Past Week.
  1. Christies Autograph music manuscript, titled and signed in autograph 'Prelude [-- Fuga – Allegro] pour la Luth. ò Cembal. Par J.S. Bach', for the Prelude, Fugue and Allegro for lute or keyboard in E flat major, BWV 998 on July 13th Actual price: USD $3,324,420.
  2. Christies Hortus Eystettensis. on July 13th Actual price: USD $2,548,260.
  3. Christies De libris revolutionum eruditissimi viri...Doctoris Nicolai Copernici… Narratio prima. on July 13th Actual price: USD $2,400,420.
  4. Christies Sidereus nuncius magna, longeque admirabilia spectacula pandens. on July 13th Actual price: USD $415,140.
  5. Christies Aequatorium Astronomicum. Ad lectorem: Sydera gyrato passim currentia coelo Volvat ut aequato pondere cuncta polus Orbibus aspectus varios hinc inde rotatis Lector sydereum hoc visere spondet opus. on July 13th Actual price: USD $383,460.
  6. Christies A Swiss silver open-face pocket watch. on July 13th Actual price: USD $351,780.
  7. Christies Philosophiae naturalis principia mathematica. on July 13th Actual price: USD $351,780.
  8. Christies Versuche über Pflanzen-Hybriden'. on July 13th Actual price: USD $320,100.
  9. Christies Le operazioni del compasso geometrico, et militare. [Bound with:] Difesa contro alle calunnie & imposture di Baldessare Capra. on July 13th Actual price: USD $320,100.
  10. Christies SPHÆRA STELLISERA. In qua, ut speculo quodam firmamenti, universum Sijderu ornatum, ac stellarum ordinem summa, quâ fieri potuit, industriâ à Guilielmo Ianßonio, magni Tychonis quondam discipulo, accuratiss[im]e dispositum. on July 13th Actual price: USD $264,660.
  11. Christies Divina proportione. Opera a tutti glingegni perspicaci e curiosi necessaria. Ove ciascun studioso de philosophia: prospective picture sculptura: architectura: musica: e alter mathematice. on July 13th Actual price: USD $256,740.
  12. Christies Cinco tratados. on July 13th Actual price: USD $193,380.
  13. Christies Opera, in Greek. With works by Galen (129-199? A.D.), Theophrastus (c.370-c.287 B.C.), Philo Judaeus (c.30 B.C.-45 A.D.), Alexander Aphrodisiensis (fl. early 3rd century), and other authors. on July 13th Actual price: USD $193,380.
  14. Christies Mundus Subterraneus. on July 13th Actual price: USD $193,380.
  15. Christies De lateribus et angulis triangulorum, tum planorum rectilineorum tum sphaericorum, libellus eruditissimus & utilissimus… Additus est canon semissium subtensarum rectarum linearum in circulo. on July 13th Actual price: USD $177,540.
  16. Christies Instauratio magna. [Novum organum]. on July 13th Actual price: USD $177,540.
  17. Christies THE VON ERLACH 'HOLY SHROUD' PRAYERBOOK, in Latin and German, manuscript on vellum with illuminations by the Master of Claude de France on July 13th Actual price: USD $153,780.
  18. Christies Elementa geometriae. on July 13th Actual price: USD $149,028.
  19. Christies A brown leather 'Cossack' jacket by Levi, Strauss & Co on July 13th Actual price: USD $145,860.
  20. Christies Poésies. Eaux-fortes originales de Henri-Matisse. on July 13th Actual price: USD $137,940.
  21. Christies Quadrans vetus, in Latin, decorated manuscript on vellum on July 13th Actual price: USD $137,940.
  22. Christies Dos Libros de Cosmographia. on July 13th Actual price: USD $137,940.
  23. Christies Autograph letter signed ('Martinus Luther') to the theologian Jacob Montanus ('Jacobo Spirensi'), Wittenberg, 'Dominica post Jacobi' on July 13th Actual price: USD $130,020.
  24. Sothebys A COLLECTION OF FIVE WORKS, FOUR RELATING TO CAPTAIN BLIGH AND THE BOUNTY, ONE INSCRIBED BY BLIGH, COMPRISING: on July 12th Actual price: USD $128,700.
  25. Sothebys HEIMSOETH & RINKE, 1943, SERIAL NUMBER A15155 on July 12th Actual price: USD $123,750.

 

For the week ahead 19 sales are scheduled: 

Mon. Jul. 18th 
Sothebys. London. The Patricia Milne-Henderson Collection: Books on Coins, Medals and Antiquities - Internet bidstart. 115 lots 
Rossini. Paris. 19th Century Modern and Contemporary Prints - Internet bidstart 7/6. 60 lots 

Tue. Jul. 19th 
Winner's Auctions and Exhibitions. Jerusalem. Judaica, Books and Manuscripts. 400 lots 
Potomack Company. Alexandria. Online Books, Prints. 43 lots 

Wed. Jul. 20th 
Dominic Winter Book Auctions. Gloucestershire. Printed Books, Maps and Documents. 437 lots 
Bonhams. New York. Space History. 208 lots 
Grays Auctioneers. Cleveland, . Fine Art - Prints, Books. 92 lots 
Morton Subastas. México DF CP 11000. Antiquarian and Contemporary Books and Documents. 296 lots 

Thu. Jul. 21st 
Dominic Winter Book Auctions. Gloucestershire. Children's and Illustrated Books. 349 lots 
Bloomsbury Auctions. London. Modern and Contemporary Editions. 393 lots 
Charlton Hall. West Columbia, SC. Six Centuries at Auction - Books, Prints. 19 lots 
Keys Fine Arts Auctioneers. Norwich. Fine Sale - Books. 230 lots 
RR Auction. Amherst. RR Auction: Olympic Auction - Internet bidstart 7/14. 148 lots 

Sat. Jul. 23rd 
Goldberg Coins and Collectibles. LOS ANGELES. The Stamps, Manuscripts and Space Memorabilia Sale. 425 lots 
Potter and Potter Auctions. Chicago. Three Ring Auction!. 601 lots 

Sun. Jul. 24th 
Copley Fine Art Auctions. Boston. Sporting Sale - Fine Art Prints. 
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Comics - Internet bidstart 7/17. 
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Movie Posters - Internet bidstart 7/17. 
National Book Auctions. Ithaca. Books, Art, Ephemera, and Collectibles. 

Bruce McKinney

RBH and AE

 

 
 
  • 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
  • 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