• Sotheby’s
    By a Lady
    1-15 October 2025
    Sotheby’s, Oct. 1-15: Austen, Jane. A long and intimate autograph letter signed ("JA"), to Cassandra Austen. $300,000 to $400,000.
    Sotheby’s, Oct. 1-15: Austen, Jane. “Lines on Maria Beckford,” autograph manuscript signed ("Jane Austen"). $100,000 to $150,000.
    Sotheby’s, Oct. 1-15: [Austen, Jane]. Emma, the extraordinary Edgeworth-Butler copy. $250,000 to $350,000.
  • Rare Book Hub is now mobile-friendly!
  • Rare Map, Book, and Autograph Fair
    17 and 18 Oct
    Rare Map, Book, and Autograph Fair
    17 and 18 Oct
    Rare Map, Book, and Autograph Fair
    17 and 18 Oct
  • Il Ponte, Sep. 30-Oct. 1: BOETTI, Alighiero - Classifying the thousand longest rivers in the world. Ascoli Piceno: 1977. € 15.000 - 18.000
    Il Ponte, Sep. 30-Oct. 1: GOYA Y LUCIENTES, Francisco José - Los desastres de la guerra. Madrid: 1863. € 12.000 - 18.000
    Il Ponte, Sep. 30-Oct. 1: HEVELIUS, Johannes - Selenographia sive lunae descriptio. Danzica: 1647. € 10.000 - 15.000
    Il Ponte, Sep. 30-Oct. 1: REDOUTÉ, Pierre-Joseph - Douze Bouquets. Parigi e New York: [s.d., ma ca. 1835]. € 15.000 - 25.000

Auction Update Review

Rare Book Hub: 42 Auctions Archived, another 35 Upcoming this Week

For the week ended Friday, 28 October 2022, 42 auctions were archived to Rare Book Hub’s Transactions+ database, 1 denominated in Danish krone, 9 in euros, 3 in British pounds, 1 in Mexican pesos, 1 in Norwegian krone and 27 in US dollars.

 

Turnover this past week was $22,849,259.12 as 81.62% of all lots changed hands.  There were 10,312 offered and 8,417 sold.  The average lot sold for $2,714.66.

 

There is a sense of caution in the market place but experienced collectors know there are rarely second chances.  Take a deep breath and hoist your paddles. 

 

 

7 auctions saw their total proceeds reach a million dollars:


ChristiesPrints and Multiples on October 27th: $8,702,316
BonhamsThe History of Science and Technology, including Space History on October 25th: $1,780,463
BonhamsExploration and Travel Literature, Featuring Americana on October 25th: $1,769,799
ArtcurialRobert William Burke: An American in Paris on October 25th: $1,601,339
Heritage AuctionsSports Showcase Auction on October 22nd: $1,370,243
Doyle New YorkPrints and Multiples on October 26th: $1,324,428
Heritage AuctionsThe Harlan Ellison Collection of Comics and Comic Art on October 21st: $1,109,982

 


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

Catawiki B. V.Old and Rare Books Auction (pre-1700) - bidstart 10/7 on October 17th: 140.50%
Catawiki B. V.Old and Rare Books Auction (pre-1600) - bidstart 10/7 on October 18th: 139.24%
ChristiesThe Collection of Ann & Gordon Getty: Volume 4 | Chinese Works of Art, Books, English and European F on October 23rd: 127.74%
Catawiki B. V.Autographs and Manuscripts - bidstart 10/7 on October 16th: 118.45%
Stair Auctioneers and AppraisersThe Collection of Jill and John Fairfield on October 26th: 117.30%
Chiswick AuctionsBooks and Works on Paper on October 26th: 111.92%
Catawiki B. V.Old and Rare Books Auction (pre-1700) - bidstart 10/7 on October 19th: 110.91%
Heritage AuctionsTuesday US Currency Select Auction - bidstart 10/18 on October 25th: 109.72%
ALDEAntiquarian Books from the 16th to 19th Centuries on October 26th: 102.66%


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

Heritage AuctionsThe Harlan Ellison Collection of Comics and Comic Art on October 21st: 100.00%
ChristiesThe Collection of Ann & Gordon Getty: Volume 4 | Chinese Works of Art, Books, English and European F on October 23rd: 100.00%
Heritage AuctionsComing Out in Comics Showcase Auction on October 27th: 100.00%
Heritage AuctionsTuesday World Paper Money Select Auction - bidstart 10/18 on October 25th: 100.00%
Heritage AuctionsSunday Sports Collectibles Select Auction - bidstart 10/9 on October 23rd: 99.76%
Heritage AuctionsTuesday US Currency Select Auction - bidstart 10/18 on October 25th: 99.76%
Schilb AntiquarianRare Books with NO Reserve, NO Buyer's Premium on October 23rd: 99.09%
Heritage AuctionsSunday & Monday Comic Books Select Auction - bidstart 10/16 on October 24th: 98.88%
Heritage AuctionsSunday Movie Posters Select Auction - bidstart 10/16 on October 23rd: 98.80%
Heritage AuctionsWednesday Trading Card Games Select Auction - bidstart 10/19 on October 26th: 98.25%
Addison and SarovaRare Books, Manuscripts and Ephemera on October 22nd: 97.92%
Heritage AuctionsWednesday Comic Art and Animation Select Auction - bidstart 10/19 on October 26th: 97.66%
Trillium Antique Prints & Rare BooksFine Art - Antique Engravings & Lithographs - Works on Paper - bidstart 10/15 on October 22nd: 97.50%
Heritage AuctionsSports Showcase Auction on October 22nd: 96.74%
Stair Auctioneers and AppraisersThe Collection of Jill and John Fairfield on October 26th: 96.15%
Catawiki B. V.Old and Rare Books Auction (pre-1600) - bidstart 10/7 on October 18th: 95.83%
ChristiesScience and Natural History - bidstart 10/11 on October 25th: 95.24%
Doyle New YorkPrints and Multiples on October 26th: 94.24%
William H. Bunch Auctions and AppraisalsEclectic Auction - bidstart 10/19 on October 25th: 92.68%
ArtcurialRobert William Burke: An American in Paris on October 25th: 91.74%
Bruun RasmussenModern Art and Design - Prints on October 25th: 91.49%
New England AuctionsAmericana, Autographs, Cartography, Children's & Ephemera. on October 25th: 91.33%
ChristiesPrints and Multiples on October 27th: 89.61%
Catawiki B. V.Old and Rare Books Auction (pre-1700) - bidstart 10/7 on October 17th: 89.13%
Catawiki B. V.Old and Rare Books Auction (pre-1700) - bidstart 10/7 on October 19th: 88.46%
Lyon and TurnbullTravel and Vintage Posters on October 27th: 88.24%
Catawiki B. V.Autographs and Manuscripts - bidstart 10/7 on October 16th: 86.89%
Swann GalleriesFine Books and Autographs on October 27th: 85.92%
Rachel Davis Fine ArtsFine Art at Auction on October 22nd: 85.14%
Purcell AuctioneersAuction of a Collection of Irish & World Interest Books - Rare & Signed First Editions, Maps, Journa on October 26th: 84.98%
FreemansModern and Contemporary Art on October 25th: 82.35%

Top 25 Lots Reported This Past Week.
  1. Bonhams Autograph working scientific manuscript, in Latin, using logarithms in order to calculate the relative movements of the planets, on October 25th Actual price: USD $882,375.
  2. Christies Double Mickey Mouse on October 27th Actual price: USD $819,000.
  3. Bonhams Original Manuscript Map of Coastal California Signed ("Miguel de Costansó"), Carta Reducida del Occeano Asiatico ó Mar del Sur..., on October 25th Actual price: USD $693,375.
  4. Christies Moonwalk on October 27th Actual price: USD $567,000.
  5. Christies Standard Station on October 27th Actual price: USD $554,400.
  6. Artcurial Warren - 1962 on October 25th Actual price: USD $486,752.
  7. Bonhams Autograph Letter Signed ("Frederick Douglass") to "Dear Friend" ("beloved Sarah" and "Dear Sarah" in closing) on October 25th Actual price: USD $353,175.
  8. Artcurial Colonne éclairante - Circa 1934 on October 25th Actual price: USD $347,680.
  9. Bonhams Autograph Manuscript Signed ("Charles Darwin") from Descent of Man, a draft outline of the subjects covered in Chapter II titled "Comparison of the Mental Powers of Man & the Lower Animals," on October 25th Actual price: USD $239,775.
  10. Christies Portolan chart of Europe on October 23rd Actual price: USD $239,400.
  11. Christies Grace Kelly on October 27th Actual price: USD $226,800.
  12. Christies Reflections on Girl, from Reflections Series on October 27th Actual price: USD $214,200.
  13. Christies Mick Jagger : one print on October 27th Actual price: USD $214,200.
  14. Bonhams Printed Broadside Document Signed ("Th: Jefferson/ Secy of State") being the act creating the first American Copyright law, "An Act for the Encouragement of Learning...," 2 pp recto and verso, folio (320 x 180 mm), on October 25th Actual price: USD $201,975.
  15. Christies Six Bardos: Transmutation on October 27th Actual price: USD $176,400.
  16. Christies Living Room, from Interior Series on October 27th Actual price: USD $176,400.
  17. Heritage Auctions Ken Steacy [Todd McFarlane printed line] Spawn #2 Cover Original Art (Image, 1992). on October 21st Actual price: USD $168,000.
  18. Christies Corpse and Mirror on October 27th Actual price: USD $163,800.
  19. Christies Reflections on The Scream, from Reflections Series on October 27th Actual price: USD $163,800.
  20. Christies Mick Jagger : one print on October 27th Actual price: USD $163,800.
  21. Christies Reverie, from 11 Pop Artists, Volume II on October 27th Actual price: USD $163,800.
  22. Christies Harper’s Pictorial History of the Civil War (Annotated) on October 27th Actual price: USD $151,200.
  23. Christies Hollywood on October 27th Actual price: USD $151,200.
  24. Christies Nature morte sous la lampe on October 27th Actual price: USD $151,200.
  25. Christies Reflections on Crash, from Reflections Series on October 27th Actual price: USD $151,200.



42 total sales reported this week:

Swann Galleries. Fine Books and Autographs on October 27th: 85.92%
Morton Subastas. Auction of Graphic Work and Photography on October 27th: 43.13%
Lyon and Turnbull. Travel and Vintage Posters on October 27th: 88.24%
Heritage Auctions. Coming Out in Comics Showcase Auction on October 27th: 100.00%
Christies. Prints and Multiples on October 27th: 89.61%
Stair Auctioneers and Appraisers. The Collection of Jill and John Fairfield on October 26th: 96.15%
Purcell Auctioneers. Auction of a Collection of Irish & World Interest Books - Rare & Signed First Editions, Maps, Journa on October 26th: 84.98%
Lion Heart Autographs. 150 Heroic & Notorious Autographs: Dreyfus Collection, UK Royals, Women, Medical Pioneers, Composers on October 26th: 66.67%
Doyle New York. Prints and Multiples on October 26th: 94.24%
Chiswick Auctions. Books and Works on Paper on October 26th: 79.64%
ALDE. Antiquarian Books from the 16th to 19th Centuries on October 26th: 50.00%
William H. Bunch Auctions and Appraisals. Eclectic Auction - bidstart 10/19 on October 25th: 92.68%
New England Auctions. Americana, Autographs, Cartography, Children's & Ephemera. on October 25th: 91.33%
Freemans. Modern and Contemporary Art on October 25th: 82.35%
Christies. Science and Natural History - bidstart 10/11 on October 25th: 95.24%
Bruun Rasmussen. Modern Art and Design - Prints on October 25th: 91.49%
Bonhams. Exploration and Travel Literature, Featuring Americana on October 25th: 65.59%
Bonhams. The History of Science and Technology, including Space History on October 25th: 73.87%
Artcurial. Robert William Burke: An American in Paris on October 25th: 91.74%
Heritage Auctions. Wednesday Trading Card Games Select Auction - bidstart 10/19 on October 26th: 98.25%
Heritage Auctions. Wednesday Comic Art and Animation Select Auction - bidstart 10/19 on October 26th: 97.66%
Heritage Auctions. Tuesday World Paper Money Select Auction - bidstart 10/18 on October 25th: 100.00%
Heritage Auctions. Tuesday US Currency Select Auction - bidstart 10/18 on October 25th: 99.76%
Heritage Auctions. Sunday & Monday Comic Books Select Auction - bidstart 10/16 on October 24th: 98.88%
Christies. The Collection of Ann & Gordon Getty: Volume 4 | Chinese Works of Art, Books, English and European F on October 23rd: 100.00%
Catawiki B. V.. Old and Rare Books Auction (pre-1700) - bidstart 10/7 on October 19th: 88.46%
Catawiki B. V.. Old and Rare Books Auction (pre-1600) - bidstart 10/7 on October 18th: 95.83%
Catawiki B. V.. Old and Rare Books Auction (pre-1700) - bidstart 10/7 on October 17th: 89.13%
Catawiki B. V.. Autographs and Manuscripts - bidstart 10/7 on October 16th: 86.89%
Finarte. Original Comic Arts and Illustration on October 21st: 50.25%
Schilb Antiquarian. Rare Books with NO Reserve, NO Buyer's Premium on October 23rd: 99.09%
Rachel Davis Fine Arts. Fine Art at Auction on October 22nd: 85.14%
Nadeau's Auction Gallery. Annual Major Fall Americana and Chinese Auction on October 22nd: 79.03%
Fairhill Auction. Fall Vintage Poster Auction on October 22nd: 65.60%
Antikvariat Bryggen AS. Sagen & Delås – Art & Rare Book Auctions on October 22nd: 68.52%
Addison and Sarova. Rare Books, Manuscripts and Ephemera on October 22nd: 97.92%
Soler Y Llach. Books, Manuscripts, Maps and Collectibles - Session I on October 20th: 48.06%
Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books. Fine Art - Antique Engravings & Lithographs - Works on Paper - bidstart 10/15 on October 22nd: 97.50%
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Sports Collectibles Select Auction - bidstart 10/9 on October 23rd: 99.76%
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Movie Posters Select Auction - bidstart 10/16 on October 23rd: 98.80%
Heritage Auctions. Sports Showcase Auction on October 22nd: 96.74%
Heritage Auctions. The Harlan Ellison Collection of Comics and Comic Art on October 21st: 100.00%

 


For the week ahead 35 sales are scheduled:

Mon. Oct. 31st
Catawiki B. V.. LA Assen, . Old and Rare Books Auction (pre-1700) - bidstart 10/21. 51 lots

Tue. Nov. 1st
Bonhams. New York. Prints and Multiples. 254 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Tuesday US Currency Select Auction - bidstart 10/25. 398 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Tuesday World Paper Money Select Auction - bidstart 10/25. 144 lots
Aspire Art Auctions. Illovo. ARCHIVE: A Collection of Rare William Kentridge Books - bidstart 10/18. 29 lots
Bruun Rasmussen. Copenhagen. Modern Art and Design - Prints. 57 lots
Catawiki B. V.. LA Assen, . Old and Rare Books Auction (pre-1600) - bidstart 10/21. 34 lots

Wed. Nov. 2nd
Tooveys. West Sussex. Prints, Maps, and Posters. 130 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Wednesday Comic Art and Animation Select Auction - bidstart 10/26. 283 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Wednesday Trading Card Games Select Auction - bidstart 10/26. 125 lots
University Archives. Wilton. Rare Autographs, Manuscripts, and Books. 411 lots
Catawiki B. V.. LA Assen, . Old and Rare Books Auction (pre-1700) - bidstart 10/21. 55 lots

Thu. Nov. 3rd
A.H. Wilkens Auctions & Appraisals. Toronto. Antique Books and Maps Auction. 181 lots
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers. Cincinnati. American Historical Ephemera & Photography, Featuring Property from the James Milgram, M.D., Collect. 509 lots
PBA Galleries. San Francisco. Antiquarian Books with Fine Press & Fine Bindings. 442 lots
Christies. Paris. Paul Destribats: A Library of the Avant Garde, Part V. 447 lots
Doyle New York. New York. American Paintings and Prints. 18 lots
Swann Galleries. New York. Old Master Through Modern Prints. 487 lots
Thomson Roddick Auctioneers & Valuers. Carlisle. Antiquarian and Collectable Books, and Related Items. 234 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Doug's Dell and Gold Key Comics. 486 lots
Leland Little Auctions. Hillsborough, NC. November Estate Auction. 30 lots

Fri. Nov. 4th
Lang's Auction, Inc.. Bouckville. Sportsmen's Auction. 19 lots
Morphy Auctions. Denver. Coin-Op and Advertising. 473 lots
Eldreds. East Dennis,. Works on Paper. 178 lots
Sothebys. London. Books and Manuscripts from the Japan Society Library - bidstart 10/28. 68 lots

Sat. Nov. 5th
Grogan and Company. Dedham. Fine Art. 60 lots
PosterConnection Inc.. Clayton. Poster Auctions. 313 lots
Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books. Franklin. Fine Art - Antique Engravings & Lithographs - Works on Paper - bidstart 10/29. 200 lots
Ader. PARIS. [LIVE SALE] FROM FILM TO ICONIC: 200 PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE AFP COLLECTION AND 3 NFT. 202 lots

Sun. Nov. 6th
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Sunday & Monday Comic Books Select Auction - bidstart 10/30.
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Sunday Movie Posters Select Auction - bidstart 10/30.
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Sunday Sports Collectibles Select Auction - bidstart 10/23. 372 lots
Ripley Auctions. Indianapolis. Books & Prints: A Lifetime Collection. 142 lots
Catawiki B. V.. LA Assen, . Autographs and Manuscripts - bidstart 10/28. 54 lots
Alexander Historical Auctions. Chesapeake City. Fall Historical Militaria and Autographs.

Bruce McKinney

RBH and AE

 

  • Fonsie Mealy’s, Oct. 1-2: The Corner-stone Document of Irish Freedom: 1916 PROCLAMATION OF THE IRISH REPUBLIC. €100,000 to €150,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Oct. 1-2: Important 18th Century Gaelic Scribal Manuscript. Ceating (Dochtuir) [Keating, Dr. Geoffrey]. Forus Feasa ar Éirinn. €15,000 to €20,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Oct. 1-2: Rare Irish Provincial Printed 18th Century Herbal. K'eogh (John). Botanalogia Universalis Hibernica, or, A General Irish Herbal, Calculated for this Kingdom… €1,500 to €2,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Oct. 1-2: Somerville (E.OE.) The Discontented Little Elephant. Inscribed presentation copy. €700 to €1,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Oct. 1-2: Broadside: “Great News from Dublin, Giving a True Account of the Seizing of a Ship coming from Ireland, with Fifty Commissions from the late King James…” €800 to €1,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Oct. 1-2: Welch (Rbt.) Photographer: Six photographic prints of the Titanic. €800 to €1,200.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Oct. 1-2: Rare Modern Irish Masterpiece. O’Brien (Flann). At Swim-Two-Birds. €3,000 to €4,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Oct. 1-2: Newton (Sir Isaac). Opticks : or, A Treatise of the Reflections, Refractions, Inflections and Colours of Light. €3,000 to €4,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Oct. 1-2: [Natural History] Donovan (Edward). The Natural History of British Birds; or a Selection of the Most Rare, Beautiful and Interesting Birds which Inhabit this Country. €3,000 to €4,000.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Oct. 1-2: The Authors First Publication. Heaney (Seamus). Eleven Poems. €1,000 to €1,500.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, Oct. 1-2: Heaney (Seamus). Remembering Malibu. €3,500 to €5,000.
  • Dominic Winter Auctioneers
    2 October
    Beatrix Potter:
    The Private Collection of Thomas & Greta Schuster
    Dominic Winter, Oct. 2: Potter (Beatrix). The Tale of Peter Rabbit, 1st privately printed edition, 1901. £40,000-£60,000.
    Dominic Winter, Oct. 2: Potter (Beatrix Helen, 1866-1943). Squintina Tabby, Licensed dealer in Tea. £7,000-£10,000.
    Dominic Winter, Oct. 2: Potter (Beatrix Helen, 1866-1943). A pair of original illustrations from The Tale of Benjamin Bunny. £8,000-£12,000.
    Dominic Winter Auctioneers
    2 October
    Beatrix Potter:
    The Private Collection of Thomas & Greta Schuster
    Dominic Winter, Oct. 2: Potter (Beatrix, illustrator). A Happy Pair, 1st [and only] edition, 1890. £5,000-£8,000.
    Dominic Winter, Oct. 2: Potter (Beatrix). Autograph Illustrated Letter, c. 1920. £3,000-£5,000.
    Dominic Winter, Oct. 2: Potter (Beatrix). The Fairy Caravan, 1st (autographed limited) edition, 1929. £2,000-£3,000.
    Dominic Winter Auctioneers
    2 October
    Beatrix Potter:
    The Private Collection of Thomas & Greta Schuster
    Dominic Winter, Oct. 2: Potter (Beatrix). The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin, 1st edition, 1903, inscribed by Beatrix Potter. £1,500-£2,000.
    Dominic Winter, Oct. 2: Potter (Beatrix). The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher, 1st deluxe edition, inscribed by Beatrix Potter. £3,000-£5,000.
    Dominic Winter, Oct. 2: Potter (Beatrix). The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin, 1st deluxe edition, 1903, rare trial binding. £2,000-£3,000.
    Dominic Winter Auctioneers
    2 October
    Beatrix Potter:
    The Private Collection of Thomas & Greta Schuster
    Dominic Winter, Oct. 2: Potter (Beatrix). The Tailor of Gloucester, 1st privately printed edition, December 1902. £2,000-£3,000.
    Dominic Winter, Oct. 2: Potter (Beatrix). Autograph Illustrated Letter Signed, 26 October 1936. £2,000-£3,000.
    Dominic Winter, Oct. 2: Potter (Beatrix). Signed and Inscribed ICAA Christmas Card, 1938. £1,500-£2,000.
  • Gonnelli:
    Auction 63
    Books, Autographs & Manuscripts
    October 7th-9th 2025
    Gonnelli: The Arabian Nights - Alf Laylah wa-Laylah. 1862. Starting price € 25.000
    Gonnelli: Depero futurista. 1927. Starting price € 9.000
    Gonnelli: Dalì, Alchimia dei Filosofi. 1976. Starting price € 3.800
    Gonnelli:
    Auction 63
    Books, Autographs & Manuscripts
    October 7th-9th 2025
    Gonnelli: Cicero, Tusculanae disputationes. 1480. Starting price € 4.800
    Gonnelli: Cassini, De cometa. 1653. Starting price € 10.000
    Gonnelli: Cataldi, Trattato della quadratura del cerchio etc. 1612. Starting price € 8.000
    Gonnelli:
    Auction 63
    Books, Autographs & Manuscripts
    October 7th-9th 2025
    Gonnelli: Cavalieri, Geometria indivisibilibus. 1635. Starting price € 15.000
    Gonnelli: Diophantus, Arithmeticorum libri sex. 1670. Starting price € 15.000
    Gonnelli: Fontana, Novae coelestium observationes. 1646. Starting price € 10.000
    Gonnelli:
    Auction 63
    Books, Autographs & Manuscripts
    October 7th-9th 2025
    Gonnelli: Galileo, Sidereus nuncius. 1610. Starting price € 100.000
    Gonnelli: Pico della Mirandola, Conclusiones nonagentae. 1532. Starting price € 7.000
    Gonnelli: Jansson's Waterworld. 1657. Starting price € 20.000