Auction Update Review
Rare Book Hub: 53 Auctions Archived, another 26 Upcoming this Week
For the week ended Saturday 22 December 2018 53 auctions were archived to the Rare Book Hub Transaction Database; 1 denominated in Australian dollars, 1 in Swiss francs, 20 in euros, 7 in British pounds, and 24 in US dollars. Turnover was a robust $37,697,860 as 17,619 lots were offered and 12,383 sold for a 70% success rate. Political turmoil continues to weigh on the market.
7 auctions saw their total proceeds reach a million dollars:
Pierre Berge and Associes. The Library of Pierre Berge on December 14th: $9,270,353
Christies. Fine Printed Books & Manuscripts Including Americana on December 4th: $5,425,625
Christies. Valuable Books and Manuscripts on December 12th: $4,926,648
Sothebys. Important Judaica, Including a Distinquished Private Collection on December 19th: $1,988,375
Ketterer Kunst Doerling. Rare Books on November 26th: $1,792,363
Bonhams. Prints and Multiples on December 18th: $1,508,282
Arenberg Auctions. Books on December 15th: $1,238,924
12 auctions saw total sales exceed 100% of the high estimates of all lots offered in the sale:
Ader. Old and Modern Prints on December 5th: 151.87%
Koller Auctions. Prints and Multiples on December 8th: 144.43%
Bearnes Hampton and Littlewood. 20th Century and Contemporary Sale - Prints, Books on December 4th: 143.58%
Ader. Old and Modern Prints on December 6th: 139.17%
Arenberg Auctions. Books on December 15th: 136.26%
Bonhams. Entertainment Memorabilia on December 11th: 133.21%
Dominic Winter Book Auctions. Modern Literature and First Editions on December 13th: 126.00%
Pierre Berge and Associes. The Library of Pierre Berge on December 14th: 125.61%
Dominic Winter Book Auctions. Printed Books, Maps and Documents on December 12th: 118.72%
Swann Galleries. Maps and Atlases, Natural History and Color Plate Books on December 13th: 111.03%
De Baecque and Associes. Old and Modern Books on December 13th: 106.91%
Potter and Potter Auctions. Winter Magic Auction - Online only on December 15th: 102.13%
17 sales saw at least 80% of their lots sell:
National Book Auctions. Books – Americana, NYS, 1600’s, Sendak, Sets on December 16th: 100.00%
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Internet Comics - bidstart 12/9 on December 16th: 99.57%
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Internet Movie Posters - bidstart 12/9 on December 16th: 98.76%
Heritage Auctions. Tuesday Internet Currency Auction - Internet bidstart 12/11 on December 18th: 97.97%
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Internet Sports Collectibles Auction - online bidstart 11/18 on December 16th: 94.48%
Potter and Potter Auctions. Winter Magic Auction - Online only on December 15th: 91.77%
Pierre Berge and Associes. The Library of Pierre Berge on December 14th: 91.54%
Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books. Fine Art - Antique Engravings & Lithographs - Works on Paper on December 15th: 91.30%
Stair Auctioneers and Appraisers. Contemporary and Fine Art - Prints on December 8th: 91.25%
Bearnes Hampton and Littlewood. 20th Century and Contemporary Sale - Prints, Books on December 4th: 88.46%
Dominic Winter Book Auctions. Printed Books, Maps and Documents on December 12th: 88.43%
Swann Galleries. Maps and Atlases, Natural History and Color Plate Books on December 13th: 88.31%
Dominic Winter Book Auctions. Modern Literature and First Editions on December 13th: 86.22%
Bonhams. Prints and Multiples on December 18th: 85.12%
Ader. Old and Modern Prints on December 5th: 85.07%
Bruun Rasmussen. Prints on December 18th: 85.00%
Aspire Auctions. December Sale - Internet bidstart 12/7 on December 15th: 83.33%
53 total sales reported this week:
Ketterer Kunst Doerling. Rare Books on November 26th: 48.44%
University Archives. Autographed Documents, Manuscripts, Photos, Books & Relics on December 5th: 64.44%
Tajan. Books - Internet bidstart 12/10 on December 17th: 9.15%
PBA Galleries. Mid-Winter Miscellany on December 20th: 68.85%
Bonhams. Prints and Multiples on December 18th: 85.12%
Sothebys. Important Judaica, Including a Distinquished Private Collection on December 19th: 70.37%
National Book Auctions. Books – Americana, NYS, 1600’s, Sendak, Sets on December 16th: 100.00%
Peter Arnold. Rare books, maps, prints & photographs on December 5th: 74.68%
Aspire Auctions. December Sale - Internet bidstart 12/7 on December 15th: 83.33%
Pierre Berge and Associes. The Library of Pierre Berge on December 14th: 91.54%
Bruun Rasmussen. Books on December 11th: 71.13%
Potter and Potter Auctions. Winter Magic Auction - Online only on December 15th: 91.77%
Arenberg Auctions. Books on December 15th: 69.61%
De Baecque and Associes. Old and Modern Books on December 13th: 68.30%
Holabird Kagin Americana. Western Americana on December 8th: 72.61%
Holabird Kagin Americana. Western Americana on December 7th: 57.90%
Holabird Kagin Americana. Western Americana on December 5th: 30.39%
Aste Bolaffi. Rare Books and Autographs on December 12th: 65.28%
Stair Auctioneers and Appraisers. Contemporary and Fine Art - Prints on December 8th: 91.25%
Bruun Rasmussen. Prints on December 18th: 85.00%
Bruun Rasmussen. Prints on December 11th: 77.88%
Kiefer Buch und Kunstauktionen. Books, Graphics modern and ancient Arts, Antiques on December 8th: 57.46%
Moreshet Auctions. Judaica - Books, Manuscripts on November 26th: 55.77%
OSENAT. Historical Memorabilia on December 9th: 62.50%
RR Auction. Science and Technology - Online bidstart 12/6 on December 13th: 50.47%
Michaans Auctions. Gallery Auction - Books, Prints, Photographs on December 8th: 66.67%
Swann Galleries. Maps and Atlases, Natural History and Color Plate Books on December 13th: 88.31%
PBA Galleries. Fine Americana - Travel & Exploration - Cartography on December 13th: 72.43%
Heritage Auctions. Tuesday Internet Currency Auction - Internet bidstart 12/11 on December 18th: 97.97%
Dominic Winter Book Auctions. Modern Literature and First Editions on December 13th: 86.22%
Dominic Winter Book Auctions. Printed Books, Maps and Documents on December 12th: 88.43%
Sothebys. Fine Autograph Letters and Manuscripts from a Distinguished Private Collection: Part II | Music, Ame on December 13th: 57.24%
Christies. Valuable Books and Manuscripts on December 12th: 68.10%
Bonhams. Entertainment Memorabilia on December 11th: 65.22%
Koller Auctions. Prints and Multiples on December 8th: 79.59%
Binoche et Giquello. Ancient and Modern Books on December 7th: 61.29%
Vermot de Pas. Comics, Albums, Original Boards and Animation on December 8th: 61.47%
Vermot de Pas. Comics Strips and Original Plates, Animation on December 7th: 43.70%
Tajan. Editions #2 on December 6th: 32.86%
PIASA. Modern and Contemporary Art, Editions on December 6th: 63.33%
Brunk Auctions. Emporium Auction on December 6th: 70.10%
Jeschke van Vliet Auctions Berlin GmbH. Rare Books, Decorative Prints, Historical Photography on December 7th: 48.55%
Bearnes Hampton and Littlewood. 20th Century and Contemporary Sale - Prints, Books on December 4th: 88.46%
Ader. Letters and Autograph Manuscripts on December 10th: 60.35%
Ader. Old and Modern Prints on December 6th: 79.43%
Ader. Old and Modern Prints on December 5th: 85.07%
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Internet Movie Posters - bidstart 12/9 on December 16th: 98.76%
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Internet Sports Collectibles Auction - online bidstart 11/18 on December 16th: 94.48%
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Internet Comics - bidstart 12/9 on December 16th: 99.57%
Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books. Fine Art - Antique Engravings & Lithographs - Works on Paper on December 15th: 91.30%
Christies. Fine Printed Books & Manuscripts Including Americana on December 4th: 74.32%
For the week ahead 8 sales are scheduled:
Tue. Dec. 25th
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Tuesday Internet Currency Auction - Internet bidstart 12/18. 370 lots
Wed. Dec. 26th
Neret Minet and Tessier. Paris. Sale Posters of Exhibitions and Cabarets. 415 lots
Kedem Auction. Jerusalem . Online: Books, Manuscripts and Rabbinic Letters. 395 lots
Fri. Dec. 28th
Tooveys. West Sussex. Decorative Pictures - Prints. 45 lots
Sat. Dec. 29th
Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books. Franklin. Fine Art - Antique Engravings & Lithographs - Works on Paper. 155 lots
Sun. Dec. 30th
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Sunday Internet Comics - bidstart 12/23.
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Sunday Internet Movie Posters - bidstart 12/23.
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Sunday Internet Sports Collectibles Auction - online bidstart 12/2. 180 lots
Best wishes for the holidays!
Bruce McKinney
RBH and AE
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Old World Auctions (Nov 11): Lot 41. Rare First State of the First Printed Map Devoted to the Arctic (1595) Est. $14,000 - $17,000Old World Auctions (Nov 11): Lot 63. The Largest of the Strada "Leo Belgicus" Editions (1632) Est. $3,250 - $4,000Old World Auctions (Nov 11): Lot 71. Blaeu's Stunning Carte-a-Figures Map of the Americas (1640) Est. $4,000 - $4,750Old 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 - $6,000Old World Auctions (Nov 11): Lot 172. 1775 Edition of the Landmark Fry-Jefferson Map of Virginia and Maryland (1775) Est. $12,000 - $15,000Old World Auctions (Nov 11): Lot 46. Doppelmayr's Fine Celestial Chart (1742) Est. $800 - $950Old World Auctions (Nov 11): Lot 212. First Edition Ski Country Map by Pioneer Hal Shelton (1965) Est. $500 - $700Old World Auctions (Nov 11): Lot 732. Ruscelli's Complete Atlas with 69 Maps and Updated Maps of the Continents (1599) Est. $8,000 - $9,500Old World Auctions (Nov 11): Lot 329. Ortelius' Map of Iceland Surrounded by Sea Monsters (1585) Est. $11,000 - $13,000Old World Auctions (Nov 11): Lot 600. Heinrich Bunting's Rare Map of Asia in the Form of a Pegasus (1581) Est. $3,000 - $3,750Old World Auctions (Nov 11): Lot 716. Bible Leaf with Hand-Colored Image of the Adoration of the Magi (1490) Est. $2,000 - $2,300
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Ketterer Rare Books
Auction November 23Ketterer, Nov. 23: L. Feininger, Collection of autograph letters to Alois J. Schardt, 1920-1955. Est: € 150,000-250,000Ketterer, Nov. 23: Flemish book of hours, Ghent-Bruges School around 1480-1500. Est: € 40,000Ketterer, Nov. 23: F. de Wit, Atlas maior, um 1700. Est: € 50,000Ketterer Rare Books
Auction November 23Ketterer, Nov. 23: A. Stieglitz, Camera Work, 48 volumes, 1903-1914. Est: € 60,000Ketterer, Nov. 23: M. Merian & M. Zeiller, Sämtliche Topographien, 21 volumes, 1642-1736. Est: € 50,000Ketterer, Nov. 23: R. Indiana and R. Creely, Numbers, 1968. Est: € 4,000Ketterer Rare Books
Auction November 23Ketterer, Nov. 23: Salerno Breviarium, Latin manuscript on vellum, North Italy around 1470-1476. Est: € 40,000Ketterer, Nov. 23: M. S. Merian, Surinaamsche (&) europische Insecten, 1730. Est: € 30,000Ketterer, Nov. 23: M. Beckmann, Jahrmarkt, Portfolio of 10 signed etchings, 1922. Est: € 25,000Ketterer Rare Books
Auction November 23Ketterer, Nov. 23: Justinianus, Infortiatum, 1475. Est: € 10,000Ketterer, Nov. 23: B. Besler, Hortus Eystettensis, um 1750. Est: € 28,000Ketterer, 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.
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Sotheby’s
Nelson, His Life and His Navy:
The Clive Richards Collection of Letters and Manuscripts
November 18, 2026Sotheby’s
Nelson, His Life and His Navy:
The Clive Richards Collection of Letters and Manuscripts
November 18, 2026Sotheby’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 NovemberForum, 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 - £50,000Forum, Nov. 19: Crescenzi (Bartolomeo). Nautica mediterranea, 2 parts in 1, second edition, with rare engraved folding map, Rome, Bartolomeo Bonfadino, 1607. £15,000 - £20,000Forum, Nov. 19: Aristotle. [The Works], 10 vol.,, translated by Thomas Taylor, Printed for the Translator... by Robert Wilks, 1807-12. £6,000-8,000Forum
Fine Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper
Thursday 19th NovemberForum, 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]. £6,000-8,000Forum, Nov. 19: Vitruvius Pollio (Marcus). I Dieci Libri dell'Architettura, translated by Daniele Barbaro, Venice, Francesco Marcolini, 1556. £7,000-10,000Forum, Nov. 19: Rowling (J.K.) Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, first edition, hardback issue, first printing, Bloomsbury, 1997. £50,000-70,000Forum
Fine Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper
Thursday 19th NovemberForum, 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. £15,000-20,000Forum, 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). £35,000-45,000Forum, 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. £15,000-20,000Forum
Fine Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper
Thursday 19th NovemberForum, Nov. 19: Gersdorff (Hans von). Feldtbuch der Wund-Arzney, enlarged edition, Strassburg, Hans Schotten, 1540. £20,000-30,000Forum, 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. £8,000-12,000Forum, 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
