Auction Update Review

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Rare Book Hub: 25 Auctions Archived, another 56 Upcoming this Week

For the week ended Saturday 1st of December 2018 25 auctions were archived to the Rare Book Hub Transaction Database; 7 denominated in euros, 5 in British pounds, 1 in Mexican pesos, and 12 in US dollars.  Turnover was $15,156,595 as 7,905 lots were offered and 6,165 sold for a 78% success rate.  The average lot brought $2,458.49.  The week just now underway promises to be the busiest of the year as 56 auctions will be conducted by next Sunday.

 

4 auctions saw their total proceeds reach a million dollars: 

Sothebys. History of Science and Technology on November 30th: $4,922,625 
Christies. Russian Literary First Editions & Manuscripts - Highlights from the Eden Martin Collection on November 28th: $2,868,348 
Artcurial. Comic Strips on November 24th: $1,444,309 
Bonhams. Fine Books, Manuscripts and Historical Photographs on November 27th: $1,190,879 


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

Christies. Russian Literary First Editions & Manuscripts - Highlights from the Eden Martin Collection on November 28th: 149.23% 
Sothebys. History of Science and Technology on November 30th: 115.18% 
Pandolfini. Books on November 26th: 113.49% 
Forum Auctions. Banksy Editions on November 28th: 108.30% 
Christian Hesse Auktionen. Prints, Books, Autographs on November 24th: 102.02% 


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

National Book Auctions. Books – LEC, 17th Century, Sets, Decorative, Antique, etc. on November 18th: 100.00% 
Forum Auctions. Banksy Editions on November 28th: 100.00% 
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Internet Sports Collectibles Auction - bidstart 10/28 on November 25th: 98.83% 
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Internet Comics - bidstart 11/18 on November 25th: 98.77% 
Heritage Auctions. Tuesday Internet Currency Auction - Internet bidstart 11/20 on November 27th: 95.98% 
Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books. Fine Art - Antique Engravings & Lithographs - Works on Paper on November 24th: 95.42% 
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Internet Movie Posters - bidstart 11/18 on November 25th: 95.34% 
PBA Galleries. The Craig Noble Collection of L. Frank Baum & the Wizard of Oz on November 29th: 88.54% 
Forum Auctions. Online Sale: Books and Works on Paper on November 22nd: 87.59% 
Cowans Auctions. American History: Premier Auction on November 16th: 86.94% 
Bonhams. Fine Books, Manuscripts and Historical Photographs on November 27th: 84.19% 


25 total sales reported this week: 

National Book Auctions. Books – LEC, 17th Century, Sets, Decorative, Antique, etc. on November 18th: 100.00% 
Rossini. POSTERS FROM THE 19TH TO THE 20TH CENTURY: ADVERTISING, POLITICS, TRADE UNIONS AND SHOWS (OPERA AND on November 29th: 35.67% 
Pandolfini. Books on November 26th: 74.81% 
Sothebys. History of Science and Technology on November 30th: 75.23% 
Sothebys. Space Exploration on November 29th: 67.57% 
PBA Galleries. The Craig Noble Collection of L. Frank Baum & the Wizard of Oz on November 29th: 88.54% 
Christies. Russian Literary First Editions & Manuscripts - Highlights from the Eden Martin Collection on November 28th: 77.63% 
Forum Auctions. Banksy Editions on November 28th: 100.00% 
Trafford Books. Books on November 21st: 67.26% 
Ader. Judaica on November 22nd: 57.33% 
Alexander Historical Auctions. Fall Auction on November 14th: 76.90% 
One Of Kind Collectibles. Rare Collectibles - Internet bidstart 10/20 on November 15th: 69.87% 
Heritage Auctions. Tuesday Internet Currency Auction - Internet bidstart 11/20 on November 27th: 95.98% 
Bonhams. Fine Books, Manuscripts and Historical Photographs on November 27th: 84.19% 
Dorotheum . Autographs, Manuscripts, Certificates on November 26th: 59.82% 
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Internet Sports Collectibles Auction - bidstart 10/28 on November 25th: 98.83% 
Cowans Auctions. American History: Premier Auction on November 16th: 86.94% 
Morton Subastas. Rare Books, Decorative Prints, Historical Photography on November 22nd: 28.94% 
Christian Hesse Auktionen. Prints, Books, Autographs on November 24th: 64.51% 
Il Ponte. Interior Decoration - Prints, Photographs on November 23rd: 78.80% 
Artcurial. Comic Strips on November 24th: 75.00% 
Forum Auctions. Online Sale: Books and Works on Paper on November 22nd: 87.59% 
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Internet Movie Posters - bidstart 11/18 on November 25th: 95.34% 
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Internet Comics - bidstart 11/18 on November 25th: 98.77% 
Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books. Fine Art - Antique Engravings & Lithographs - Works on Paper on November 24th: 95.42% 
 

Top 25 Lots Reported This Past Week.
  1. Sothebys 1965 NOBEL PRIZE MEDAL IN PHYSICS, AWARDED TO RICHARD PHILLIPS FEYNMAN FOR HIS FUNDAMENTAL WORK IN QUANTUM ELECTRODYNAMICS on November 30th Actual price: USD $975,000.
  2. Sothebys TWO OBJECTIVES. (1) TO POINT OUT THE PECULIAR POINT. (2) TO FORMULATE A ME IN A DEFINITE NUMBER OF ASSUMPTIONS (NON-RELATIVISTIC SCHRÖD), on November 30th Actual price: USD $399,000.
  3. Sothebys PLENTY OF ROOM AT BOTTOM, on November 30th Actual price: USD $387,000.
  4. Bonhams Autograph draft of the Fantasiest?cke (Fantasy Pieces) for piano on November 27th Actual price: USD $287,680.
  5. Sothebys CLASSICAL THEORY — SELF ENERGY DIFFICULTIES. QUANTUM THEORY — STILL IN TROUBLE..., on November 30th Actual price: USD $287,500.
  6. Alexander Historical Auctions MAO ZEDONG on November 14th Actual price: USD $270,600.
  7. Christies Vechera na khutore bliz dikan'ki. 1-2 [Evenings on a Farm near Dikanka. Books 1-2]. on November 28th Actual price: USD $224,000.
  8. Sothebys ARCHIVE OF MANUSCRIPTS TREATING SOLID STATE PHYSICS — SPANNING THE LENGTH OF FEYNMAN'S CAREER, CA 1948-1985 on November 30th Actual price: USD $200,000.
  9. Sothebys WORK OUT TR E-?A*I ..., on November 30th Actual price: USD $162,500.
  10. Sothebys INSIDE THE ATOM, DRAFTS FOR TWO OR POSSIBLY THREE DIFFERENT TALKS ON THE ENGINEERING PROBLEMS OF THE ATOM BOMB, CA 1944-1945. on November 30th Actual price: USD $156,250.
  11. Christies  Vozvrashchenie Chorba. [The Return of Chorb.] on November 28th Actual price: USD $152,000.
  12. Artcurial Arzach. on November 24th Actual price: USD $135,934.
  13. Christies Evgenii Onegin. [Eugene Onegin. A novel in verse.] on November 28th Actual price: USD $128,000.
  14. Sothebys COMPUTING MACHINES OF THE FUTURE, CA 1985. on November 30th Actual price: USD $125,000.
  15. Sothebys ARMILLARY SPHERE BY CASPAR VOPEL, COLOGNE, 1549 SIGNED "CASPAR VOPELI MATHEMA PROF COLONIAE AGRIPPINAE SPHAERAM HANC FACIEBAT 1549."   on November 30th Actual price: USD $125,000.
  16. Sothebys ATOMIC BOMB AS MILITARY WEAPON, CA 1946. on November 30th Actual price: USD $112,500.
  17. Sothebys MAGNIFICENT 18TH-CENTURY PLANETARIUM BY JOHN HANDSFORD, BRISTOL, CA 1780SIGNED ON THE ENGRAVED SILVERED DRUM PLATE "MADE FOR RICH.D ALDRIDGE, ESQ. BY JOHN HANDSFORD, BRISTOL." on November 30th Actual price: USD $112,500.
  18. Christies Stikhotvoreniia. [Poems.] on November 28th Actual price: USD $104,000.
  19. Christies Ruslan i Liudmila. Poema v shesti pesniakh. [Ruslan and Liudmila. A Poem in Six Cantos.] on November 28th Actual price: USD $104,000.
  20. Christies Povesti pokoinago Ivana Petrovicha Belkina, izdannyia A.P. [Tales of the Late Ivan Petrovich Belkin, published by A.P.] on November 28th Actual price: USD $96,000.
  21. Christies Povesti i razskazy. [Tales and Stories.] on November 28th Actual price: USD $88,000.
  22. Christies Evgenii Onegin. Roman v stikhakh. Gl. 1 [Eugene Onegin. A novel in verse. Chapter 1.]@ on November 28th Actual price: USD $88,000.
  23. Sothebys THE PRINCIPLES OF QUANTUM MECHANICS. on November 30th Actual price: USD $87,500.
  24. Sothebys TYPED LETTER SIGNED TO GEORGE SELDES, PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY, 24 OCTOBER 1954. on November 30th Actual price: USD $87,500.
  25. Artcurial 20e anniversaire du journal de Tintin. on November 24th Actual price: USD $82,992.



For the week ahead 56 sales are scheduled: 


Mon. Dec. 3rd
Bruun Rasmussen. Copenhagen. Prints. 111 lots
Australian Book Auctions. Armadale, . December Gallery Auction. 219 lots
Neret Minet and Tessier. Paris. Comics. 199 lots
Adams Amsterdam Auctions. Amsterdam. Fine Art, Photographs, Modern and Contemporary Art - Prints. 193 lots

Tue. Dec. 4th
Koller Auctions. Zurich. Photography. 173 lots
Sothebys. London. Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts and Continental and Russian Books. 306 lots
Christies. New York. Fine Printed Books & Manuscripts Including Americana. 222 lots
Christies. New York. Albert Einstein: The God Letter. 1 lots
Kiefer Buch und Kunstauktionen. 75172 Pforzheim. Books, Graphics modern and ancient Arts, Antiques. 1162 lots
ALDE. Paris. Italian Impressions. 163 lots
Bearnes Hampton and Littlewood. Exeter. 20th Century and Contemporary Sale - Prints, Books. 26 lots
Robert Siegel Galleries. New York. The Alfredo Frohlich Collection: The Evolution of Postal Systems in Panama 1777-1881. 148 lots
Forum Auctions in Italy. Roma. Online Sale: The Library of Marquis Giulio Carlo Stanga Trecco (1794-1852) - Part I. 54 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Tuesday Internet Currency Auction - Internet bidstart 11/27. 577 lots
Fonsie Mealy Auctioneers. Kilkenny. Rare Books.
Forum Auctions. London. Artsy: Select Editions. 31 lots

Wed. Dec. 5th
Bonhams. New York. The History of Science and Technology. 134 lots
Galerie Bassenge. Berlin-Grunewald . Photography. 313 lots
Bonhams. London. Prints and Multiples. 258 lots
Dorotheum . Vienna. Books and Decorative Prints. 407 lots
Ader. PARIS. Old and Modern Prints. 335 lots
Peter Arnold. Prahran VIC . Rare books, maps, prints & photographs. 233 lots
Grays Auctioneers. Cleveland, . Fine Art - Prints. 172 lots
Holabird Kagin Americana. Reno. Western Americana. 102 lots
University Archives. Westport. Autographed Documents, Manuscripts, Photos, Books & Relics. 284 lots
RR Auction. Amherst. Fine Autograph and Artifact Auction featuring Pop Culture - Online bidstart: 11/16. 938 lots
Bonhams. New York. Fine Books and Manuscripts, Including the World of Hilary Knight. 292 lots

Thu. Dec. 6th
Keys Fine Arts Auctioneers. Norwich. Books, Maps, Prints and Ephemera. 870 lots
Swann Galleries. New York. Illustration Art. 282 lots
Sothebys. New York. Lady Blue Eyes: Property of Barbara and Frank Sinatra. 58 lots
Ader. PARIS. Old and Modern Prints. 316 lots
Tajan. Paris. Editions #2.
Brunk Auctions. Asheville, NC . Emporium Auction. 97 lots
PIASA. Paris. Modern and Contemporary Art, Editions. 30 lots
Heritage Auctions. Hong Kong. HKINF World Currency Signature Auction. 1283 lots

Fri. Dec. 7th
Binoche et Giquello. rue La Boetie, Paris. Ancient and Modern Books. 248 lots
Jeschke van Vliet Auctions Berlin GmbH. Berlin-Schoneberg. Rare Books, Decorative Prints, Historical Photography. 1345 lots
Stockholms Auktionsverk. Stockholm. Rare Books, Maps and Manuscripts. 195 lots
Vermot de Pas. Paris. Comics Strips and Original Plates, Animation. 373 lots
Holabird Kagin Americana. Reno. Western Americana. 544 lots
Forum Auctions. London. Online Sale: Select Modern & Contemporary Editions and Artist's Books. 123 lots
Keys Fine Arts Auctioneers. Norwich. Books, day 2. 265 lots

Sat. Dec. 8th
Michaans Auctions. Alameda, CA . Gallery Auction - Books, Prints, Photographs. 30 lots
Goldberg Coins and Collectibles. LOS ANGELES. Collectibles. 1019 lots
Koller Auctions. Zurich. Prints and Multiples. 147 lots
Vermot de Pas. Paris. Comics, Albums, Original Boards and Animation. 693 lots
Heritage Auctions. Beverly Hills. Animation Art. 1279 lots
Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books. Franklin. Fine Art - Antique Engravings & Lithographs - Works on Paper.
Rachel Davis Fine Arts. Cleveland. Fine Art Prints. 284 lots
Amadeus-Auktionshaus GmbH. Wien. Rare Books. 212 lots
Holabird Kagin Americana. Reno. Western Americana. 701 lots

Sun. Dec. 9th
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Civil War and Militaria.
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Sunday Internet Comics - bidstart 12/2.
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Sunday Internet Movie Posters - bidstart 12/2.
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Sunday Internet Sports Collectibles - Internet bidstart 11/11. 151 lots
OSENAT. FONTAINEBLEAU. Historical Memorabilia.

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.