Auction Update Review

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RBH: 23 auctions archived, 28 new sales this week.

For the week ended Friday, 30 August 2019, 23 auctions were archived to the Rare Book Hub Transaction Database; 6 denominated in euros, 1 in British pounds, 1 in Mexican pesos, and 15 in US dollars.  Turnover was $1,678,986 as 5,201 lots were offered and 4,417 sold for an 85% success rate.  Auction bidders are always looking.

 

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

Catawiki B. V.. Old and Rare Books (Pre-1800) bidstart 8/9 on August 16th: 117.04% 
Rago Arts and Auctions. Fine Art - Prints on August 24th: 106.25% 


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

National Book Auctions. Dickens, Sci-Fi, Catholic, Pulp, Antique, Decorative, etc. on August 25th: 100.00% 
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Internet Sports Collectibles Auction - online bidstart 7/28 on August 25th: 100.00% 
Rago Arts and Auctions. Fine Art - Prints on August 25th: 100.00% 
Rago Arts and Auctions. Fine Art - Prints on August 24th: 100.00% 
Heritage Auctions. World Currency Weekly - Internet Bidstart 8/20 on August 27th: 99.47% 
Leland Little Auctions. Single-Owner Advertising & Americana Auction, The Collection of Mary Wells, Greensboro, NC on August 23rd: 99.12% 
Heritage Auctions. U.S. Currency Weekly - Internet Bidstart 8/20 on August 27th: 98.74% 
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Internet Comics - bidstart 8/18 on August 25th: 98.49% 
Bourgeault-Horan Antiquarians & Associates, LLC. Summer Americana and Marine Auction on August 18th: 96.55% 
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Internet Movie Posters - bidstart 8/18 on August 25th: 96.13% 
Catawiki B. V.. Old and Rare Books (Pre-1800) Online bidstart 8/9 on August 19th: 94.83% 
Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books. Fine Art - Antique Engravings & Lithographs - Works on Paper on August 24th: 90.72% 
University Archives. Rare Autographs, Books on August 28th: 89.11% 
Catawiki B. V.. Old and Rare Books (Pre-1800) - Internet bidstart 8/16 on August 23rd: 88.14% 
Bruun Rasmussen. Prints on August 27th: 87.50% 
Catawiki B. V.. Old and Rare Books (Pre-1800) bidstart 8/9 on August 16th: 84.87% 
Addison and Sarova. Rare Books and Ephemera on August 17th: 80.62% 

Top 25 Lots Reported This Past Week.
  1. University Archives _x000D_ Albert Einstein Theory of Universal Gravitation, “the validity of Newton’s theory” Using a “clock-time” Illustration – Incredible Scientific Letter in English!_x000D__x000D_ Albert Einstein Theory of Universal Gravitation, “the validity of Newton’ on August 28th Actual price: USD $45,000.
  2. University Archives Thomas Paine Writes to Fellow Deist Asking Help with His Tenant Farmer and Enclosing an Essay on “Hints” for Establishing a Deistical Church on August 28th Actual price: USD $18,000.
  3. University Archives Paul Revere Witnesses a Deed for the Support of a Minor Heir on August 28th Actual price: USD $14,400.
  4. University Archives John Hancock in 1776 Signs Highly Important Resolution Urging Complete Representation of All the States. Taxation Without Representation was the Main Cause of the Revolutionary War. on August 28th Actual price: USD $14,400.
  5. University Archives Albert Einstein Magnificent Scientific Letter in English Re: Nature of Light and Special Relativity on August 28th Actual price: USD $13,200.
  6. University Archives _x000D_ Albert Einstein Refers to “The Theory of Relativity,” an Explanation of How the “constancy of the speed of light” and “rotation of the earth” – a Fantastic Letter!_x000D__x000D_ Albert Einstein Refers to “The Theory of Relativity,” an Explanation on August 28th Actual price: USD $11,400.
  7. Morton Subastas Toda la Tierra de las Indias. on August 29th Actual price: USD $9,000.
  8. Heritage Auctions Tales of Suspense #39 (Marvel, 1963) CGC VG/FN 5.0 Cream to off-white pages. on August 25th Actual price: USD $9,000.
  9. Heritage Auctions Journey Into Mystery #83 (Marvel, 1962) CGC VG/FN 5.0 White pages. on August 25th Actual price: USD $9,000.
  10. University Archives George Washington Signed Soldier’s Discharge, the Document Shows How the Soldier was Conned Out of his Rights by a Man Later Convicted and Sent to Prison for Life on August 28th Actual price: USD $9,000.
  11. Catawiki B. V. Biblia Sacra Vulgatae Editionis on August 24th Actual price: USD $8,590.
  12. Bourgeault-Horan Antiquarians & Associates, LLC 1816 MAP OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, WITH ENGRAVINGS BY ABEL BOWEN OF "THE GAP OF THE WHITE MOUNTAINS," "THE GREAT BOARSHEAD AND HAMPTON BEACH" AND "VIEWS OF THE WHITE MOUNTAINS FROM SHELBURNE," on August 18th Actual price: USD $8,400.
  13. Heritage Auctions Peanuts #1 Davis Crippen ("D" Copy) Pedigree (United Feature Syndicate, 1953) CGC FN/VF 7.0 Off-white to white pages. on August 25th Actual price: USD $7,800.
  14. Heritage Auctions X-Men #1 (Marvel, 1963) CGC VG+ 4.5 Off-white to white pages. on August 25th Actual price: USD $7,200.
  15. University Archives Fantastic framed Thomas Jefferson ALS with a lovel on August 28th Actual price: USD $7,200.
  16. University Archives Walt Disney TLS Re: Exhibition of "Fantasia" for Pan-American Union Attendees' Children on August 28th Actual price: USD $6,600.
  17. Addison and Sarova Madonna and Child Between St. Francis and St. Nicasius, also known as "Castelfranco Madonna." on August 17th Actual price: USD $6,000.
  18. Moreshet Auctions DarcheiTzedek—chassidut. First edition, Vlvi 1796, rare and important. on July 31st Actual price: USD $5,760.
  19. University Archives Gregor Mendel, "Father of Modern Genetics"--Extremely Rare! on August 28th Actual price: USD $5,700.
  20. Bruun Rasmussen Two Part Story. on August 27th Actual price: USD $5,550.
  21. University Archives Truman Signed Victory Proclamation Re: Germany's Surrender_x000D_ on August 28th Actual price: USD $5,400.
  22. Moreshet Auctions Pesach Haggadah "GeulatYisrael"—printed by the Shapira brothers in Zhitomir, 1848, with additions handwritten from the period of the book’s printing. on July 31st Actual price: USD $5,280.
  23. Heritage Auctions Tim Bradstreet Punisher #50 Cover Original Art (Marvel Comics, 2007). on August 25th Actual price: USD $5,160.
  24. Addison and Sarova calligraphy specimen. With headpiece in the center with the name "John Rochfort," "ABC" on left and in reverse on right on August 17th Actual price: USD $5,100.
  25. Moreshet Auctions Large, comprehensive manuscript, more than 250 pages in Ashkenazi handwriting, with chiddushim on the Shas and poskim that were never printed, from the early 19th century. Rare, important, interesting! on July 31st Actual price: USD $5,040.


23 total sales reported this week:

Morton Subastas. Books and Papers: World Travelers and Explorers on August 29th: 26.07%
Bruun Rasmussen. Prints on August 27th: 87.50%
Addison and Sarova. Rare Books and Ephemera on August 17th: 80.62%
University Archives. Rare Autographs, Books on August 28th: 89.11%
Heritage Auctions. World Currency Weekly - Internet Bidstart 8/20 on August 27th: 99.47%
Heritage Auctions. U.S. Currency Weekly - Internet Bidstart 8/20 on August 27th: 98.74%
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Internet Comics - bidstart 8/18 on August 25th: 98.49%
Catawiki B. V.. Art and Photography - Online bidstart 8/16 on August 24th: 75.00%
Catawiki B. V.. Old and Rare Books (Pre-1800) - Internet bidstart 8/16 on August 23rd: 88.14%
Catawiki B. V.. Old and Rare Books (Pre-1800) Online bidstart 8/9 on August 19th: 94.83%
Catawiki B. V.. Autographs and Manuscripts - Online bidstart 8/9 on August 18th: 70.21%
Catawiki B. V.. Old and Rare Books (Pre-1800) bidstart 8/9 on August 16th: 84.87%
JellyFishTree. South African Books on August 21st: 27.87%
National Book Auctions. Dickens, Sci-Fi, Catholic, Pulp, Antique, Decorative, etc. on August 25th: 100.00%
Rago Arts and Auctions. Fine Art - Prints on August 25th: 100.00%
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Internet Movie Posters - bidstart 8/18 on August 25th: 96.13%
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Internet Sports Collectibles Auction - online bidstart 7/28 on August 25th: 100.00%
Bourgeault-Horan Antiquarians & Associates, LLC. Summer Americana and Marine Auction on August 18th: 96.55%
Rago Arts and Auctions. Fine Art - Prints on August 24th: 100.00%
Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books. Fine Art - Antique Engravings & Lithographs - Works on Paper on August 24th: 90.72%
Moreshet Auctions. Jewish Books and Manuscripts on July 31st: 57.47%
Leland Little Auctions. Single-Owner Advertising & Americana Auction, The Collection of Mary Wells, Greensboro, NC on August 23rd: 99.12%
Forum Auctions. Artsy: The Master and the Muse on August 22nd: 66.67% 

 

For the week ahead 28 sales are scheduled:

Mon. Sep. 2nd
Leland Little Auctions. Hillsborough, NC. Fine Art - Prints. 102 lots
Catawiki B. V.. LA Assen, . Old and Rare Books (Pre-1700) Online bidstart 8/23. 65 lots
Bruun Rasmussen. Copenhagen. Prints. 87 lots

Tue. Sep. 3rd
Morton Subastas. México DF CP 11000. Books of Art, Literature and Motoring of the Collection of Mr. Don Lorenzo Zambrano. 279 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. U.S. Currency Weekly - Internet Bidstart 8/27. 642 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. World Currency Weekly - Internet bidstart 8/27. 180 lots
Cowans Auctions. Cincinnati. Books and Manuscripts: Timed Auction launch 8/22. 162 lots

Wed. Sep. 4th
Bearnes Hampton and Littlewood. Exeter. Books, Maps and Prints. 507 lots
Heritage Auctions. New York. The Maurice Car Collection featuring Rare Books and Manuscripts. 243 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Long Beach Expo U.S. Currency - Sessions 1-4. 1173 lots
Alaska Auction. Anchorage. Books and Prints. 67 lots

Thu. Sep. 5th
Forum Auctions. London. Online Sale: Books and Works on Paper.
PBA Galleries. San Francisco. Rare Books and Manuscripts. 301 lots
AntiquarianAuctions.com. Cape Town. Rare Books - Internet bidstart 8/29. 572 lots
Sothebys. London. Original Film Posters - Online bidstart 8/23. 190 lots
Heritage Auctions. New York. Fall Signature Auction Featuring The Otto Penzler Collection of Mystery Fiction. 828 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Long Beach Expo World Currency - Sessions 1-2. 574 lots

Fri. Sep. 6th
Bonhams. New York. Prints and Multiples Online - bidstart 9/10.
Catawiki B. V.. LA Assen, . Old and Rare Books (Pre-1800) - Internet bidstart 8/30. 114 lots

Sat. Sep. 7th
Michaans Auctions. Alameda, CA . Gallery Auction - Books, Prints, Photographs. 86 lots
Aspire Auctions. Cleveland. Books, Prints - Internet bidstart 8/30. 75 lots
North American Auction Company. Bozeman. Western Antique & Collector Sale. 87 lots
Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books. Franklin. Fine Art - Antique Engravings & Lithographs - Works on Paper. 200 lots
Catawiki B. V.. LA Assen, . Art and Photography - Online bidstart 8/30. 25 lots

Sun. Sep. 8th
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Sunday Internet Sports Collectibles Auction - online bidstart 8/11. 170 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Sunday Internet Comics - bidstart 9/1.
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Sunday Internet Movie Posters - bidstart 9/1.
Catawiki B. V.. LA Assen, . Autographs and Manuscripts - Internet bidstart 8/30. 48 lots

Bruce McKinney

RBH and AE

  • 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
  • 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