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Auction Update Review

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Rare Book Hub: 37 Auctions Archived, another 37 Upcoming this Week

For the week ended Friday, 1 November 2019, 37 auctions were archived to the Rare Book Hub Transaction Database; 1 in Australian dollars, 1 in Columbian pesos, 13 in euros, 2 in British pounds, 1 in Mexican pesos, and 19 in US dollars.  Turnover was $20,989,875 as 10,649 lots were offered and 8,367 sold for a 79% success rate.  Into the closing months of the fall auction season we are full speed ahead.

 

7 auctions saw total proceeds reach a million dollars: 

Robert Siegel Galleries. The William H. Gross Collection: United States Postal History on October 30th: $5,418,684 
Sothebys. Important Prints and Multiples on October 26th: $3,896,125 
Heritage Auctions. Fall Sports Memorabilia Collectibles on October 18th: $2,920,484 
Swann Galleries. Old Master Through Modern Prints on October 29th: $1,640,972 
Freemans. The Collection of Robert J. Morrison on October 30th: $1,493,538 
Heritage Auctions. Historical Manuscripts Featuring the Bret J. Formichi American Civil War Rarities Collection on October 23rd: $1,318,010 
Bonhams. Modern and Contemporary Prints and Multiples on November 1st: $1,263,664 


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

Heritage Auctions. Estate of John and Elaine Steinbeck Manuscripts on October 24th: 244.46% 
De Baecque and Associes. Prints on October 25th: 185.76% 
Bogota Auction. Rare Books on October 24th: 142.79% 
Freemans. The Collection of Robert J. Morrison on October 30th: 140.80% 
Kolbe and Fanning Numismatic Booksellers. George F. Kolbe Library Sale on October 26th: 132.47% 
Nosbüsch & Stucke. Books - Part 4: Science, Natural History and Curiosities on October 26th: 118.71% 
Robert Siegel Galleries. The William H. Gross Collection: United States Postal History on October 30th: 108.72% 


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

Heritage Auctions. Sunday Internet Sports Collectibles - Internet bidstart 9/29 on October 27th: 100.00% 
Freemans. The Collection of Robert J. Morrison on October 30th: 100.00% 
Heritage Auctions. World Currency Weekly - Internet bidstart 10/15 on October 22nd: 99.56% 
Heritage Auctions. U.S. Currency Weekly - Internet Bidstart 10/15 on October 22nd: 99.53% 
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Internet Sports Collectibles - Internet bidstart 9/22 on October 20th: 99.35% 
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Internet Movie Posters - bidstart 10/13 on October 20th: 98.69% 
Heritage Auctions. Estate of John and Elaine Steinbeck Manuscripts on October 24th: 97.22% 
Freemans. Modern and Contemporary Art - Prints and Photographs on October 29th: 97.06% 
Robert Siegel Galleries. The William H. Gross Collection: United States Postal History on October 30th: 95.74% 
Alaska Auction. Sports Cards, etc. on October 30th: 93.22% 
Heritage Auctions. Fall Sports Memorabilia Collectibles on October 18th: 90.90% 
Heritage Auctions. Historical Manuscripts Featuring the Bret J. Formichi American Civil War Rarities Collection on October 23rd: 88.44% 
Australian Book Auctions. Voyages, Travels and Australiana - Including books from the estate of the late James Oswald Fairfax on October 28th: 87.50% 
Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books. Fine Art - Antique Engravings & Lithographs - Works on Paper on October 26th: 87.00% 
Catawiki B. V.. Old and Rare Books (Pre-1600) - Internet bidstart 10/11 on October 22nd: 86.36% 
Bruun Rasmussen. Prints on October 29th: 84.06% 
Catawiki B. V.. Old and Rare Books (Pre-1700) - Internet bidstart 10/11 on October 21st: 83.02% 
De Baecque and Associes. Prints on October 25th: 80.70% 
Sothebys. Important Prints and Multiples on October 26th: 80.26% 
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Internet Comics - bidstart 10/20 on October 27th: 80.14% 

 

Top 25 Lots Reported This Past Week.
  1. Heritage Auctions 1998 Heisman Memorial Trophy Presented to University of Texas Longhorns Running Back Ricky Williams. on October 18th Actual price: USD $504,000.
  2. Robert Siegel Galleries The famous Canada and United States First Issues mixed-franking cover with a 1851 3p "Beaver" and single 5¢ 1847 Issue, both cancelled in Montreal, Canada-- one of the most desirable covers in all of classic worldwide philately on October 30th Actual price: USD $354,000.
  3. Robert Siegel Galleries The famous Armitage cover--the only recorded 90¢ 1860 Issue cover to India on October 30th Actual price: USD $236,000.
  4. Sothebys GOETHE (F. & S. II.270-273) on October 26th Actual price: USD $231,250.
  5. Robert Siegel Galleries The largest 10¢ 1847 Issue franking on cover, paying the triple 30¢ Panama rate on a cover from Peru to Mexico--a spectacular 1847 Issue cover on October 30th Actual price: USD $165,200.
  6. Freemans Sweet Dreams, Baby! from 11 pop artists, volume iii 1965 on October 30th Actual price: USD $143,750.
  7. Robert Siegel Galleries The finest of the mere two covers and one front with an 1847 Issue block-- of the three known, all 5¢ denominations, this is the only Brown Orange and the only domestic use of a block on October 30th Actual price: USD $135,700.
  8. Sothebys GIRL WITH BALLOON on October 26th Actual price: USD $112,500.
  9. Bonhams Lithographic Water Made of Lines on November 1st Actual price: USD $106,325.
  10. Sothebys GRACE KELLY (F. & S. II.305) on October 26th Actual price: USD $106,250.
  11. Robert Siegel Galleries A uniquely franked Adams Express Company through-the-lines cover to France, graphically demonstrating the refusal of federal postal authorities to recognize postage stamps originating from the states in rebellion on October 30th Actual price: USD $106,200.
  12. Robert Siegel Galleries An astounding combination of four different 1869 Pictorial Re-Issue stamps on a registered cover to Germany--this March 20, 1880, date is the earliest documented use of no less than three of the four Re-Issues (2¢, 12¢ and 15¢), and the cover is widely re on October 30th Actual price: USD $100,300.
  13. Sothebys CAMOUFLAGE (SEE F. & S. IIB.412) on October 26th Actual price: USD $100,000.
  14. Heritage Auctions 1961-62 New York Yankees Oversized Promotional Nodder (14")--Finest of Three Known! on October 18th Actual price: USD $90,000.
  15. Bonhams Bermuda Petrel on November 1st Actual price: USD $81,325.
  16. Swann Galleries Pieter Haaring. on October 29th Actual price: USD $81,250.
  17. Robert Siegel Galleries One of the three recorded Canada and United States First Issues mixed-franking covers--this is the only cover sent from the United States to Canada on October 30th Actual price: USD $79,650.
  18. Robert Siegel Galleries ` on October 30th Actual price: USD $76,700.
  19. Swann Galleries Der Held mit dem Flügel--Inv. 2. on October 29th Actual price: USD $75,000.
  20. Sothebys FLOWERS (F. & S. II.73) on October 26th Actual price: USD $75,000.
  21. Robert Siegel Galleries One of two recorded 1847 Issue covers to Ireland and the only one with a 5¢ and 10¢ combination franking--a spectacular cover in superb condition on October 30th Actual price: USD $70,800.
  22. Heritage Auctions 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl XL Championship Ring Presented to Safety Tyrone Carter. on October 18th Actual price: USD $69,000.
  23. Bonhams Giant Panda, from Endangered Species on November 1st Actual price: USD $68,825.
  24. Robert Siegel Galleries A stunning strip of three of the 10¢ 1847 Issue with interpane sheet margin used on a cover from Panama to Mexico, entirely outside the United States--the finest of the ten recorded 1847 covers originating in Panama and one of three sent to Mexico on October 30th Actual price: USD $67,850.
  25. Freemans Flowers 1970 on October 30th Actual price: USD $65,625.



37 total sales reported this week:

Alaska Auction. Sports Cards, etc. on October 30th: 93.22%
Bonhams. Modern and Contemporary Prints and Multiples on November 1st: 70.22%
Bonhams. The Sporting Sale - Books, Prints on October 31st: 63.33%
Nye & Company Auctioneers. Estate Treasures - Fine Art Prints, Books on October 30th: 56.67%
Morton Subastas. Books and Documents, Lithographs and Engravings on October 29th: 27.48%
Freemans. The Collection of Robert J. Morrison on October 30th: 100.00%
Freemans. Modern and Contemporary Art - Prints and Photographs on October 29th: 97.06%
Swann Galleries. Old Master Through Modern Prints on October 29th: 68.39%
Kolbe and Fanning Numismatic Booksellers. George F. Kolbe Library Sale on October 26th: 74.86%
Australian Book Auctions. Voyages, Travels and Australiana - Including books from the estate of the late James Oswald Fairfax on October 28th: 87.50%
Aste Bolaffi. Posters - Online on October 24th: 71.29%
Rossini. Books, Autographs, Postcards on October 23rd: 48.96%
Jeschke van Vliet Auctions Berlin GmbH. Modern and Contemporary Art - Modern Photography on October 25th: 38.01%
De Baecque and Associes. Prints on October 25th: 80.70%
De Baecque and Associes. Ancient and Modern Books on October 17th: 71.15%
Robert Siegel Galleries. The William H. Gross Collection: United States Postal History on October 30th: 95.74%
Bruun Rasmussen. Prints on October 29th: 84.06%
Sothebys. Important Prints and Multiples on October 26th: 80.26%
Forum Auctions. Forum @ Artsy: Colour Theory on October 24th: 47.22%
Bogota Auction. Rare Books on October 24th: 74.04%
Catawiki B. V.. Autographs and Manuscripts - Internet bidstart 10/11 on October 20th: 71.11%
Heritage Auctions. U.S. Currency Weekly - Internet Bidstart 10/15 on October 22nd: 99.53%
Heritage Auctions. World Currency Weekly - Internet bidstart 10/15 on October 22nd: 99.56%
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Internet Comics - bidstart 10/20 on October 27th: 80.14%
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Internet Sports Collectibles - Internet bidstart 9/29 on October 27th: 100.00%
Heritage Auctions. Estate of John and Elaine Steinbeck Manuscripts on October 24th: 97.22%
Heritage Auctions. Historical Manuscripts Featuring the Bret J. Formichi American Civil War Rarities Collection on October 23rd: 88.44%
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Internet Sports Collectibles - Internet bidstart 9/22 on October 20th: 99.35%
Heritage Auctions. Fall Sports Memorabilia Collectibles on October 18th: 90.90%
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Internet Movie Posters - bidstart 10/13 on October 20th: 98.69%
Catawiki B. V.. Old and Rare Books (Pre-1600) - Internet bidstart 10/11 on October 22nd: 86.36%
Catawiki B. V.. Old and Rare Books (Pre-1700) - Internet bidstart 10/11 on October 21st: 83.02%
Nosbüsch & Stucke. Books - Part 4: Science, Natural History and Curiosities on October 26th: 60.87%
Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books. Fine Art - Antique Engravings & Lithographs - Works on Paper on October 26th: 87.00%
Nosbüsch & Stucke. Books - Part 3: Valuable Books, Autographs and Prints on October 26th: 56.80%
Nosbüsch & Stucke. Books - Part 2: Modern Art, Graphics and Photography on October 25th: 59.15%
Nosbüsch & Stucke. Books - Part 1: Modern Literature, Erotica and Posters on October 25th: 62.31%

 


For the week ahead 37 sales are scheduled:

Mon. Nov. 4th
Bruun Rasmussen. Copenhagen. Prints. 81 lots
Catawiki B. V.. LA Assen, . Old and Rare Books (Pre-1700) - Internet bidstart 10/25. 42 lots

Tue. Nov. 5th
Christies. Paris. Photographs. 143 lots
Tooveys. West Sussex. Antiquarian and Collectors' Books. 237 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. U.S. Currency Weekly - Internet Bidstart 10/29. 609 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. World Currency Weekly - Internet bidstart 10/29. 243 lots
University Archives. Westport. Stellar Manuscripts, Rare Books, and Apollo Related Items. 263 lots
Kedem Auctions Ltd.. Jerusalem . Online Auction: Judaica: Books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical Letters and Objects. 500 lots
Catawiki B. V.. LA Assen, . Old and Rare Books (Pre-1600) - Internet bidstart 10/25. 25 lots
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers. Chicago. Library of a MidWestern Collector. 87 lots

Wed. Nov. 6th
Dominic Winter Book Auctions. Gloucestershire. Printed Books, Maps and Documents. 490 lots
Binoche et Giquello. rue La Boetie, Paris. Antiquarian and Modern Books. 241 lots
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers. Chicago. Fine Books and Manuscripts. 477 lots
RR Auction. Amherst. Fine Autographs and Artifacts - bidstart 10/18. 399 lots
Aste Bolaffi. Turin. 20th Century Art - Prints. 111 lots
Purcell Auctioneers. Birr. Antiques and Collectibles -Books and Prints. 153 lots
Tooveys. West Sussex. Prints, Maps and Posters. 106 lots

Thu. Nov. 7th
Christies. London - King Street. On the Shoulders of Giants: A Brief History of Big Ideas - Online bidstart 10/30. 58 lots
Zisska and Lacher. Munich. Books. 2132 lots
PBA Galleries. San Francisco. Art and Illustration - Books in All Fields. 426 lots
Kestenbaum and Company. New York. Judaica. 245 lots
Pierre Berge and Associes. Paris. Library of Genevieve and Jean Paul Kahn. 290 lots
Ader. PARIS. Photographs. 407 lots
Eldreds. East Dennis,. Antiques and Accessories - Books and Prints. 48 lots
Vermot de Pas. Paris. NASA Photographs. 300 lots
Dominic Winter Book Auctions. Gloucestershire. Military and Aviation History. 239 lots

Fri. Nov. 8th
Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society. Lancaster. Book Auction. 399 lots
Rago Arts and Auctions. Lambertville. Post War and Contemporary Art - Prints. 103 lots
Catawiki B. V.. LA Assen, . Old and Rare Books (Pre-1800) - Internet bidstart 11/1. 149 lots

Sat. Nov. 9th
Brunk Auctions. Asheville, NC . Premier Auction - Books, Prints. 57 lots
Michaans Auctions. Alameda, CA . Gallery Auction - Books, Prints, Photographs. 42 lots
Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books. Franklin. Fine Art - Antique Engravings & Lithographs - Works on Paper. 200 lots
Rago Arts and Auctions. Lambertville. American and European Fine Art - Prints. 54 lots

Sun. Nov. 10th
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Sunday Internet Comics - bidstart 11/3.
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Sunday Internet Movie Posters - bidstart 11/3.
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Sunday Internet Sports Collectibles - Internet bidstart 10/13. 199 lots
Catawiki B. V.. LA Assen, . Autographs and Manuscripts - Internet bidstart 14/1. 32 lots

Bruce McKinney

RBH and AE

  • 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.
  • 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