• Sotheby’s
    Fine Books & Manuscripts
    June 24-25
    Sotheby’s, June 25: Keats, John. The most significant collection of Keats’s love letters to come to market since 1885. $1,500,000 to $2,500,000.
    Sotheby’s, June 25: Chassériau, Benoît. The “Expedicion secreta” of the Free State of Cartagena de Indias against the forts of Portobelo (Panama). $50,000 to $70,000.
    Sotheby’s, June 25: (Hamilton, Alexander, James Madison, and John Jay). "One of the new nation's most important contributions to the theory of government”. $150,000 to $180,000.
    Sotheby’s, June 24: Benjamin Franklin. "the Day of the Declaration of Independence is everywhere annually celebrated". $80,000 to $120,000.
    Sotheby’s, June 24: (Johann Conrad Beissel). A Sammelband of two of Benjamin Franklin's rarest imprints. $70,000 to $100,000.
    Sotheby’s, June 25: [Pernambuco]. First printed work in favor of Brazilian Independence. $150,000 to $200,000.
  • June 23rd, 24th & 25th 2026
    Fonsie Mealy’s, June 23-25: Medical Incunabula: Petit (Jean)publisher & Kerver (Thielman)printer. Regimen Sanitatis Salernitanum, sm. 8vo, Paris [1498]
    Fonsie Mealy’s, June 23-25: Hugo (Victor) [Wraxall (Lascelles)]. Les Miserable, 3 vols., 8vo, L. (Hurst & Blackett) 1862, First Authorized English Translation (copyright).
    Fonsie Mealy’s, June 23-25: Shelley (Mary Wollstonecraft). Frankenstein: or The Modern Prometheus, 8vo, 2 vols. in one, L. (G. & W.B. Whittaker, Ave-Maria-Lane) 1823.
    June 23rd, 24th & 25th 2026
    Fonsie Mealy’s, June 23-25: Cuisine: Anon. Cookery, Pastry, and Sweet Meats in three Books, Alphabetically Digested, 8vo 1710.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, June 23-25: Lambert (Aylmer Bourke). A Description of the Genus Pinus, with Directions Relative to the Cultivation…, 2 vols. Sm. folio L. (Messrs. Weddell) 1832.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, June 23-25: Botany: Curtis (William). Flora Londinensis: or Plates and Descriptions of such Plants as Grow Wild in the Environs of London, 2 vols. folio, London (B. White) 1777 – 1798.
    June 23rd, 24th & 25th 2026
    Fonsie Mealy’s, June 23-25: Le Moire (J.M.) Maple Leaves, Canadian History and Quebec Scenery (Third Series) 8vo Quebec (Hunter, Rose & Co.) 1865. First Edn.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, June 23-25: The Earliest Extant Printed House Contents Sale Catalogue in Ireland: Baillie, Auctioneer, Abby Street. A Catalogue of the Goods and Stock of the late Edward Wingfield…
    Fonsie Mealy’s, June 23-25: William III King of England. Autograph Letter Signed ("William R") to an unnamed correspondent [possibly Charles-Henri de Lorraine] discussing his strategy against the French forces during the siege of Namur.
    June 23rd, 24th & 25th 2026
    Fonsie Mealy’s, June 23-25: [Austen (Jane) (1785-1817]. Pride and Prejudice, 3 vols. sm. 8vo, L. (T. Egerton) 1813.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, June 23-25: Heaney (Seamus). Ugolino, sm. folio D. (Dolmen) 1979, Limited Edn. No. 78/125 Copies, Signed by Seamus Heaney, Louis le Brocquy, Liam Miller and Andrew Carpenter.
    Fonsie Mealy’s, June 23-25: Voltaire (F.M. Avouet de). Petits Ouvrages, attribues a M. de Voltaire, sm. folio manuscript, dated 1776, containing 9 works.
  • Bonhams, June 14-23: Franklin D. Roosevelt Presentation Gold Pocket Watch. Estimate: $20,000 - 30,000
    Bonhams, June 14-23: Presentation Copy of the First Issue of the Lincoln Douglas Debates Signed by Abraham Lincoln in Pencil to a Sangamon County Illinois Republican. Estimate: $150,000 - 250,000
    Bonhams, June 14-23: A Senate Resolution Signed in the Tense Days After the Union's Humiliating Defeat at the First Battle of Bull Run. Estimate: $80,000 - $120,000
    Bonhams, June 14-23: Seven Passages to a Flight, an Artists Book with a Story Quilt by Faith Ringgold, the Publisher's Own Copy. Estimate: $80,000 - 120,000
    Bonhams, June 14-23: A New Charter for Virginia, A Response to the First Armed Rebellion in the American Colonies. Estimate: $15,000 - 25,000
    Bonhams, June 14-23: Earliest obtainable printing of the Bill of Rights. Estimate: $8,000 - 12,000
    Bonhams, June 14-23: Edward Curtis Orotone. Estimate: $7,000 - 9,000
    Bonhams, June 14-23: Owned by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis: A Butter or Dessert Plate from FDR's State Dinner Service. Estimate: $3,000 - 5,000
    Bonhams, June 14-23: An Early Large-Format Plan of the City of Washington. Estimate: $1,500 - 2,500
    Bonhams, June 14-23: Containing the First Map to Name the Hudson River. Estimate: $20,000 - 30,000
    Bonhams, June 14-23: America's First Major Novelist, a Complete Chapter in Autograph Manuscript by James Fenimore Cooper. Estimate: $15,000 - 20,000
    Bonhams, June 14-23: The Only Full-Length Book by Jefferson, with the Justly Famous Map. Estimate: $12,000 - 18,000
  • June 25, 2026
    Doyle, June 25: Houdini's biography, boldly signed. $3,000 to $5,000.
    Doyle, June 25: A volume from Abraham Lincoln's library, signed just before heading to Washington for his inauguration. $20,000 to $30,000.
    Doyle, June 25: A very early Confederate recruiting manual belonging to the chief commissary in Lee's Army. $600 to $800.
    Doyle, June 25: Rare hand-colored lithographs of the life of Napoleon. $20,000 to $30,000.
    Doyle, June 25: The "Holster Atlas" of the American Revolution. $5,000 to $8,000.
    Doyle, June 25: Jewish ceremonies in fine hand-colored engravings. $7,000 to $10,000.
    Doyle, June 25: A very rare work on Turkish military costume. $1,000 to $1,500.
    June 25, 2026
    Doyle, June 25: The most important illustrated work on the Mexican-American War. $10,000 to $15,000.
    Doyle, June 25: The finest illustrated book on Afghanistan. $10,000 to $15,000.
    Doyle, June 25: Henry Justice Ford St. George rescues the Princess from the horrible Dragon. $2,000 to $3,000.
    Doyle, June 25: A rare work of Prussian Army uniforms under Frederick William II, with exquisite hand-colored engravings. $800 to $1,200.
    Doyle, June 25: Lenny Bruce typed letter signed to a Village bohemian during his obscenity trials, with a manuscript note and drawing. $300 to $500.
    Doyle, June 25: Schiff's scarce Shanghai Sketchbook. $300 to $500.
    Doyle, June 25: The first accurate published representation of the American flag. $2,000 to $4,000.

Rare Book Monthly

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Articles - March - 2013 Issue

Auctions In March

- by Bruce E. McKinney

Auctions in March

Auctions in March

Heading into March 66 sales are on the calendar.  This is down from 82 in 2012 and the first down month comparison since May 2012.  It’s too early to know how many lots will be posted and sold but we know that last year’s high volume lowered the median price by 3 to 4% even after allowing for a large increase in less expensive books that further lowered prices.  Every month every year does not beat the prior year.  In 2012 May was down 15 sales from 2011.  The 2010 to 2009 comparison may be more appropriate.  2010 was higher only in 6 months.

In any event this March there is a sale every 11 hours and 15 minutes.

This year, as we head into March, 66 events are scheduled:

Fri. Mar 1st            Heritage Auctions..  Texana [6097].  204 lots

Sat. Mar. 2nd          Dorotheum.  Gun Books [9932].  8 lots

Mon. Mar. 4th          Bruun Rasmussen.  Prints [1310].

Tues. Mar. 5th          Christie’s.  Andy Wharhol.  Internet sale ending today [24389].  125 items

                              ERA Encheres.  Maps [21203].  1 item

Wed. Mar 6th            Ader.  Comics [208280.  140 lots

                              Bruun Rasmussen.  Prints [838].  58 items

                              Dominic Winter.  Printed Books and Maps [30613].   624 lots

                            Gray’s Auctioneers.  Prints [65]

Thurs. Mar 7th      Ader.  Theatre and Performing Arts – Collection Jacques Lorcey [20827]

                              Dominic Winter Book Auctions.  Natural History and Sporting Books and Prints [30713].

                              Heritage Auctions.  Rare Books – online bidding ending today [201310]

                              Pierre Berge & Associes.  Ancient and Modern Books [15126].

                              Swann Galleries.  19th and 20th Century Prints [2306].  663 lots

Fri. Mar. 8th            Alde.  The Claude L. Library [20982].  344 lots

Sat. Mar. 9th            Cowan’s Auctions, Inc.  Fine and Decorative Art:  Prints and Books [310].  74 lots

                                Dorotheum.  Fine Prints [9930].  31 lots

                                Marc van de Wiele Auctions.  Rare books, manuscripts and Ensor [48].  778 lots

Mon. Mar. 11th      Alde.  Library of the Castle of La Plagne [21115].  331 lots

                                Bruun Rasmussen.  Prints [1311].

Tues. Mar. 12th    Dorotheum.  Books and Decorative Prints [9939].  305 lots

Wed. Mar. 13th      Ader.  Ancient and Modern Books [20829].  289 lots

                              Bloomsbury Auctions.  Modern and Contemporary Prints [31313].

Thurs. Mar. 14th        Addison and Sarova.  Rare Books:  “God, Guts and Glory” the Library of a Southern Collector [1003a]

                              AntiquarianAuctions.com.  Rare Books online sale ending today [25].

                              Bloomsbury Auctions.  Bibliophile Books [31413].

                              Heritage Auctions [HA.com].  Rare Books online bidding ending today [201311].

                              PBA Galleries.  Fine Literature; Children’s and Illustrated Books [502].

Fri. Mar. 15th          The Romantic Agony Book and Print Auctions.  Books and Prints [50].  1,345 lots

Sat.  Mar. 16th        Addison and Sarova.   Rare Books:  “God, Guts and Glory” the Library of a Southern Collector [1003b]

                              The Romantic Agony Book and Print Auctions.  Books and Prints [50] ending today.  1,345 lots

Sun. Mar. 17th      Bonhams.  Books, Prints, Photographs [20900]

Mon. Mar. 18th      Bruun Rasmussen.  Prints [1312].

                                Cowan’s Auctions, Inc.  American History [347]

Tues. Mar. 19th      Bloomsbury Auctions.  Vintage Posters [31913].

                              Bonhams.  Books, Maps, Manuscripts, and Historical Photographs [20751].

                            Henri Godts Books and Prints Auctions.  Books, Manuscripts, Maps and Prints [31913].

                              Sothebys.  Modern and Contemporary Prints [L13162]

                              Sothebys.  Old Master, Modern and Contemporary Prints [L13160].

Wed.  Mar. 20th      Bonhams.  The Xi’an Incident:  The Papers of Hyland “Bud” Lyon [21070].  7 Lots

                              Christies.  Old Master, Modern and Contemporary Prints [1114].

                              Christies.  Library of a Spanish Bibliophile [4897].

                              Rupert Toovey and Co.  Prints [1111].

Thurs. Mar. 21st    Ader.  Threatre and Performing Arts – Collection of Jacques Lorcey [20832].

                              Bloomsbury Auctions.  Travel and Natural History Books [32113].

                            Heritage Auctions [HA.com].  Rare Book internet auction ending today [201312].

                            Keys Fine Arts.  Books [32113].

                              Sothebys.  Mark Birley:  The Private Collection [L13313].

                              Swann Galleries.  Printed and Manuscript African-Americana [2308].

Fri.  Mar. 22nd        Gallerie Koller Auctions.  Prints [A164a].

                              Keys Fine  Arts Auctioneers.  Books [32113].

                              Venator and Hanstein [Buch und Graphikauktionen].  Books and Prints [126].

Sat. Mar. 23rd        Cottone.  Prints [76].

                              Galerie Koller Auctions.  Manuscripts and Books [A164b].

                              Heritage Auctions [HA.com].  Vintage Movie Posters [7072].

                            Venator and Hanstein [Buch und Graphikauktionen].  Books and Prints [126] continued.

Sun. Mar. 24th        Bonhams.  Prints [30906]

                              Osenat.  French Empire at Fontainbleau [21043].

Wed. Mar. 27th      Cornette de Saint Cyr.  Books and Autographs [20942].

                              Minerva Auctions Roma.  Books, Autographs and Prints [OMA-88].

Thurs.  Mar. 28th     Heritage Auctions [HA.com].  Rare Books internet bidding ending today [201313].

                              PBA Galleries.  Rare Americana – African American History – Travel – Cartography [503].

                              Piasa.  Ancient and Modern Prints [20618].

Fri. Mar. 29th          Piasa.  Photographs [20619].

                              Tajan.  Books [9804]

Sat. Mar. 30th          Heritage Auctions [HA.com].  Entertainment and Music memorabilia [7074].

On every AE page there is a search link to Upcoming Auctions.  As we prepare to publish the lots for 34 upcoming sales are posted:  8,319.  This number of course changes every day. 

Rare Book Monthly

  • Bonhams, June 14-23: Palm-reading, astrology, and more. Estimate: $2,000 - 3,000
    Bonhams, June 14-23: Benjamin Franklin. Sammelband of 45 papers on electricity. Estimate: $8,000 - 12,000
    Bonhams, June 14-23: The basis for the whole modern electric-power industry. Estimate: $4,000 - 6,000
    Bonhams, June 14-23: Edgar Allen Poe. Poe on Mesmerism. Estimate: $2,500 - 3,500
    Bonhams, June 14-23: Reformation - The Architect of Lutheranism on Church Unity and Dissent. Estimate: $100,000 - 150,000
    Bonhams, June 14-23: The Rare 3-Paper Offprint Identifying the Double Helix Structure of DNA, Signed by Crick, Wilkins, Wilson, Stokes and Gosling. Estimate: $40,000 - 60,000
    Bonhams, June 14-23: Autograph book and Report from the Thirtieth Indian National Congress, featuring the signatures of Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore, and Dadabhai Naoroji. Estimate: $6,000 - 8,000
    Bonhams, June 14-23: An Illustrated Miniature Hebrew Prayerbook Manuscript. Estimate: $30,000 - 50,000
    Bonhams, June 14-23: Autograph Working Draft of Arthur Conan Doyle's The Death Voyage. Estimate: $30,000 - 50,000
    Bonhams, June 14-23: "Perhaps the most celebrated and most beautiful herbal ever published." Estimate: $15,000 - 20,000
    Bonhams, June 14-23: Izaak Walton. The Compleat Angler or the Contemplative man's Recreation. Being a Discourse of Fish and Fishing. Estimate: $12,000 - 18,000
    Bonhams, June 14-23: A rare product of the Jaquard loom. Estimate: $8,000 - 12,000
  • Freeman’s, June 30. Thomas Jefferson’s “Birth of the New Nation” letter, carried to Paris with the Treaty of Peace, by a Jewish patriot. $100,000-200,000.
    Freeman’s, June 30. “The rockets’ red glare.” A British midshipman’s log recording the bombardment of Fort McHenry. $60,000-80,000.
    Freeman’s, June 30. The Critical Promotion of a Naval Hero, Oliver Hazard Perry Commission signed by James Madison, 1812. $40,000-60,000.
    Freeman’s, June 30. Born in the USA: First Day of Printing in the United States, July 4, 1776. $15,000-25,000.
    Freeman’s, June 30. One of the Earliest Printed Announcements of American Independence, in the Exceedingly Rare Original Wrappers, 1776. $10,000-15,000.
    Freeman’s, June 30. "The Two Big Guns of the N.Y. Yanks": A Striking Type 1 Press Photograph of Lou Gehrig's Hands. $8,000-12,000.
    Freeman’s, June 30. A Unique Contemporary Manuscript Account of Joseph Smith's Final Words to His Followers, the Day Before his Violent Death. $8,000-12,000.
    Freeman’s, June 30. The State of Minnesota Officially Certifies the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution Of the United States. $8,000-12,000.
    Freeman’s, June 30. Extraordinarily Large Manuscript Petition Signed by a Who's Who of Colonial New York to Queen Anne from the Colony of New York. $8,000-12,000.
    Freeman’s, June 30. Mickey Mantle's First Cover: The Earliest Front-Page Newspaper Image of Mickey Mantle, "Something Good from Joplin". $8,000-12,000.
    Freeman’s, June 30. A Call to Arms in the Months Following the Declaration of Independence: An Early Continental Army Recruitment Poster. $6,000-9,000.
    Freeman’s, June 30. Samuel Jones, the Statesman Behind the Newly Discovered "Jones Declaration": His Annotated Set Used in His Working Law Library. $6,000-9,000.

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