Auction Update Review

Thirty-seven Auctions Archived, 32 Scheduled this Week

For the week ended Saturday 18 November 2017 thirty-nine auctions were archived to the Rare Book Hub Transaction Database; 2 denominated in Australian dollars, 12 in euros, 3 in British pounds, and 20 in US dollars.  Turnover was $16,585,656 as 12,411 lots were offered and 9,297 sold for a 75% success rate.  We’re in the high cotton.  The average lot brought $1,784.

 

5 auctions saw their total proceeds reach a million dollars: 

Bonhams. Fine Books and Manuscripts on November 15th: $2,279,202 
Sothebys. Travel, Atlases, Maps and Natural History on November 14th: $1,853,874 
Kestenbaum and Company. The Valmadonna Trust Library: Highly Important Hebrew Books on November 9th: $1,741,563 
Heritage Auctions. Entertainment & Music Memorabilia Signature Auction on November 11th: $1,620,304 
Christies. Photographs on November 10th: $1,312,013 

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

Stair Auctioneers and Appraisers. Collection of Paul F. Walters - Part 1 on November 11th: 188.31% 
Grogan and Company. The 30th Anniversary Auction - Fine Arts Prints and Photographs on November 5th: 169.03% 
Bonhams. Fine Books and Manuscripts on November 15th: 157.85% 
Kestenbaum and Company. The Valmadonna Trust Library: Highly Important Hebrew Books on November 9th: 143.92% 
Bruun Rasmussen. Books and Manuscripts on November 12th: 131.93% 
Northeast Auctions. Fall Weekend Auction on October 29th: 104.34% 
Brunk Auctions. November 9-11 Catalog Auction - Books, Prints on November 11th: 103.56% 


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

Mossgreen. Interiors - Books, Prints on November 14th: 100.00% 
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Internet Comics - bidstart 11/5 on November 12th: 98.96% 
Heritage Auctions. Heritage Auctions: Tuesday Internet Currency Auction - Online bidstart 11/7 on November 14th: 98.48% 
Heritage Auctions. Space Exploration on November 10th: 97.69% 
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Internet Sports Collectibles Auction - bidstart 10/15 on November 12th: 95.91% 
Bruun Rasmussen. Books and Manuscripts on November 12th: 95.45% 
Stair Auctioneers and Appraisers. Collection of Paul F. Walters - Part 1 on November 11th: 95.24% 
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Internet Movie Posters - bidstart 11/5 on November 12th: 95.19% 
Kestenbaum and Company. The Valmadonna Trust Library: Highly Important Hebrew Books on November 9th: 94.74% 
Bruun Rasmussen. Prints on November 14th: 91.78% 
Grogan and Company. The 30th Anniversary Auction - Fine Arts Prints and Photographs on November 5th: 91.67% 
John McInnis Auctioneers. October Estates Auction - Session 2 on October 28th: 89.86% 
Brunk Auctions. November 9-11 Catalog Auction - Books, Prints on November 11th: 88.95% 
Alaska Auction. Books and Prints on October 26th: 84.38% 
Swann Galleries. 19th and 20th Century Literature on November 14th: 83.28% 
Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society. Rare and Used Books on September 8th: 82.96% 
Northeast Auctions. Fall Weekend Auction on October 29th: 82.50% 
Skinner. Fine Books and Manuscripts on November 12th: 81.90% 
Bonhams. Fine Books and Manuscripts on November 15th: 81.57% 
 
 
Top 25 Lots Reported This Past Week.
  1. Heritage Auctions Bob Dylan Owned and Stage-Played 1963 Martin D-28 Acoustic Guitar, Serial #196405 Used at George Harrison's Concert for Bangladesh. on November 11th Actual price: USD $396,500.
  2. Bonhams Archive of designs for and watercolours of the Thames Tunnel by Marc Isambard Brunel on November 15th Actual price: USD $264,000.
  3. Sothebys TOTIUS ORBIS DESCRIPTIO, on November 14th Actual price: USD $245,625.
  4. Kestenbaum and Company THE COMPLETE REFERENCE LIBRARY OF THE VALMADONNA TRUST on November 9th Actual price: USD $237,500.
  5. Christies The Hand of Miles Davis (B), New York, 1986 on November 10th Actual price: USD $235,410.
  6. Brunk Auctions A Journal of the Operations of the Queen's Rangers From the End of the Year 1777, to the Conclusion of the Late American War By Lieutenant-Colonel Simcoe Commander of that Corps. on November 11th Actual price: USD $168,000.
  7. Bonhams Archive of manuscripts on November 15th Actual price: USD $148,500.
  8. Christies Photogramme, Dessau, 1925 on November 10th Actual price: USD $147,500.
  9. Bonhams Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone on November 15th Actual price: USD $140,250.
  10. Bonhams An Atlas of England and Wales] on November 15th Actual price: USD $140,250.
  11. Heritage Auctions Beatles - John Lennon's Personal Stereo "Butcher Cover" Prototype with His Original Artwork on the Blank Back and Signatures of Lennon, Paul McCartney, and Ringo Starr on the Front. The Rarest Beatle Record in the World. on November 11th Actual price: USD $125,000.
  12. Sothebys METAMORPHOSIS INSECTORUM SURINAMENSIUM OFTE VERANDERING DER SURINAAMSCHE INSECTEN. on November 14th Actual price: USD $122,813.
  13. Kestenbaum and Company Talmud Bavli. With commentary of Rashi, Tosaphoth, Piskei Tosaphoth, compendium by Asher b. Jehiel, commentary on the Mishnah by Moses Maimonides, plus index of decisions “Ein Mishpat.” on November 9th Actual price: USD $112,500.
  14. Sothebys CAMPI PHLEGRAEI. OBSERVATIONS ON THE VOLCANOS OF THE TWO SICILIES AS THEY HAVE BEEN COMMUNICATED TO THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF LONDON on November 14th Actual price: USD $106,438.
  15. Brunk Auctions A Plan of the Posts of York and Gloucester in the Province of Virginia. on November 11th Actual price: USD $102,000.
  16. Brunk Auctions A General Map of The Middle British Colonies, in America; Viz Virginia, Màriland, Dèlaware, Pensilvania, New-Jersey, New-York, Connecticut, And Rhode Island on November 11th Actual price: USD $102,000.
  17. Kestenbaum and Company Machzor [prayers for the entire year]. According to Roman rite. on November 9th Actual price: USD $100,000.
  18. Bonhams GOSPEL OF ST. MATTHEW from a Bible manuscript on vellum on November 15th Actual price: USD $99,000.
  19. Bonhams Autograph letter signed ("A.M. Turing") on November 15th Actual price: USD $99,000.
  20. Kestenbaum and Company Tephilah kephi Minhag Roma [prayers for the entire year]. According to Roman rite. on November 9th Actual price: USD $90,625.
  21. Sothebys THE HOLY LAND, SYRIA, IDUMEA, ARABIA, EGYPT & NUBIA. on November 14th Actual price: USD $81,875.
  22. Sothebys UNTITLED WORLD MAP. on November 14th Actual price: USD $81,875.
  23. Sothebys L'ATLAS OU MÉDITATIONS COSMOGRAPHIQUES DE LA FABRIQUE DU MONDE ET FIGURE DICELUY. on November 14th Actual price: USD $81,875.
  24. Bonhams Letter signed ("Charles Darwin") on November 15th Actual price: USD $79,200.
  25. Brunk Auctions , A Map of the Battle of Yorktown entitled Carte de la Partie de la Virginie ou L'Armée Combinée De France & Des États-Unis De L'Amérique a fait prisonniere l'Armée Anglaise commandée par Lord Cornwallis le 19 Oct.bre 1781. on November 11th Actual price: USD $78,000.


37 total sales reported this week:

Dorotheum . Christmas Auction - Graphics on November 16th: 44.12%
Bonhams. Fine Books and Manuscripts on November 15th: 81.57%
Nosbüsch & Stucke. Book Auction - Part 2 on November 12th: 62.45%
Nosbüsch & Stucke. Book Auction - Part 1 on November 11th: 61.38%
Heritage Auctions. Heritage Auctions: Tuesday Internet Currency Auction - Online bidstart 11/7 on November 14th: 98.48%
Stair Auctioneers and Appraisers. Collection of Paul F. Walters - Part 1 on November 11th: 95.24%
Kestenbaum and Company. The Valmadonna Trust Library: Highly Important Hebrew Books on November 9th: 94.74%
Mossgreen. Interiors - Books, Prints on November 14th: 100.00%
Mossgreen. The Contents of Falls House - Prints, Photographs, Books on November 13th: 59.38%
ALDE. Michel Wittock Collection on November 14th: 70.26%
ALDE. Selected Books from the 15th through 19th Century on November 14th: 54.55%
Swann Galleries. 19th and 20th Century Literature on November 14th: 83.28%
Sothebys. 20th Century Art - A Different Perspective on November 14th: 75.00%
Sothebys. Travel, Atlases, Maps and Natural History on November 14th: 69.20%
Bruun Rasmussen. Prints on November 14th: 91.78%
Bruun Rasmussen. Books and Manuscripts on November 12th: 95.45%
Zisska and Lacher. Fine Art, Maps and Prints on November 10th: 63.05%
Zisska and Lacher. Rare Books and Photographs on November 9th: 61.86%
Zisska and Lacher. Rare Books, Autographs and Manuscripts on November 8th: 62.50%
Skinner. Fine Books and Manuscripts on November 12th: 81.90%
Christies. Photographs on November 10th: 48.95%
PBA Galleries. Fine Golf Books, Hickory Clubs & Golf Memorabilia on November 12th: 61.75%
Michaans Auctions. Gallery Auction - Books, Prints, Photographs on November 11th: 70.00%
Neret Minet and Tessier. Image Theatre Cinema Advertising on September 26th: 32.37%
Grogan and Company. The 30th Anniversary Auction - Fine Arts Prints and Photographs on November 5th: 91.67%
Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society. Rare and Used Books on September 8th: 82.96%
Alaska Auction. Books and Prints on October 26th: 84.38%
Brunk Auctions. November 9-11 Catalog Auction - Books, Prints on November 11th: 88.95%
Charlton Hall. Estate Auction - Prints, books on October 27th: 66.67%
Northeast Auctions. Fall Weekend Auction on October 29th: 82.50%
RR Auction. Fine Autographs & Artifacts - Internet bidstart 10/27 on November 8th: 56.77%
John McInnis Auctioneers. October Estates Auction - Session 2 on October 28th: 89.86%
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Internet Movie Posters - bidstart 11/5 on November 12th: 95.19%
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Internet Sports Collectibles Auction - bidstart 10/15 on November 12th: 95.91%
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Internet Comics - bidstart 11/5 on November 12th: 98.96%
Heritage Auctions. Entertainment & Music Memorabilia Signature Auction on November 11th: 76.66%
Heritage Auctions. Space Exploration on November 10th: 97.69%

 

For the week ahead 32 sales are scheduled:

Mon. Nov. 20th
Ketterer Kunst Doerling. Hamburg. Rare Books - Day 1. 107 lots
Rossini. Paris. Photographs. 251 lots
Bonhams. London. TCM Presents ... Vintage Movie Posters Featuring the Ira Resnick Collection. 393 lots
Bruun Rasmussen. Copenhagen. Prints. 70 lots

Tue. Nov. 21st
Bubb Kuyper. 2011 KM Haarlem. Art books, Children's books, Varia. 1002 lots
Il Ponte. Milan. Books and Manuscripts. 253 lots
Stockholms Auktionsverk. Stockholm. Rare Books, Maps and Manuscripts. 497 lots
Sothebys. Paris. Jacques Grange Collector. 16 lots
Bonhams. New York. TCM Presents... Out of this World!. 326 lots
Ketterer Kunst Doerling. Hamburg. Rare Books - Day 2. 385 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Tuesday Internet Currency Auction - Online bidstart 11/14. 453 lots
Bubb Kuyper. 2011 KM Haarlem. Fine printing, Literature. 642 lots

Wed. Nov. 22nd
Trafford Books. Manchester. Books. 245 lots
Pierre Berge and Associes. Paris. Books. 430 lots
Aguttes. Neuilly-sur-Seine . Autograph Books. 213 lots
ALDE. Paris. Modern Illustrated Books and Original Bindings. 344 lots
Bubb Kuyper. 2011 KM Haarlem. Indonesia, Africana, (Natural) history, Manuscripts, Old and Rare Books. 1106 lots
Bubb Kuyper. 2011 KM Haarlem. Old and Rare Books (Part 2). 658 lots

Thu. Nov. 23rd
Bolaffi Ambassador Auctions. Turin. Posters.
Pierre Berge and Associes. Paris. Books. 446 lots
De Baecque and Associes. Lyon. Ancient and Modern Books.
Bubb Kuyper. 2011 KM Haarlem. Modern Art: Prints, etc.. 754 lots
Bubb Kuyper. 2011 KM Haarlem. Ceramics, Photos, Japanese Prints, and Posters. 409 lots

Fri. Nov. 24th
Romantic Agony Book and Print Auctions. Brussels. Books and Prints, Part I. 728 lots
Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books. Franklin. Fine Art - Antique Engravings & Lithographs - Works on Paper. 138 lots
Bubb Kuyper. 2011 KM Haarlem. Drawings, Old Master Prints, Maps and Plans. 697 lots

Sat. Nov. 25th
Romantic Agony Book and Print Auctions. Brussels. Books and Prints, Part II. 712 lots
Ader. PARIS. Modern Prints: Henri M. Petiet - 50th and Last Sale chez Ader.

Sun. Nov. 26th
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Sunday Internet Comics - bidstart 11/19.
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Sunday Internet Movie Posters - bidstart 11/19.
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Sunday Internet Sports Collectibles - Internet bidstart 10/29. 405 lots
Ader. PARIS. PrModern Prints: Henri M. Petiet - 50th and Last Sale chez Ader.

Bruce McKinney

RBH and AE

  • 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
  • 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.