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Articles - October - 2020 Issue

Update from the far side of the moon

- by Bruce E. McKinney

Marvin Getman, the rare book fair impresario has some good news to report:  The Brooklyn Virtual Antiquarian Book Fair opened on September 4th, 2020 as proxy for what was a year ago an already a strong traditional rare book and paper fair.  Of course Covid-19 intervened this spring and, in response, Marvin reimagined book fairs electronically.   The outcome this past month was his 4th electronic fair for a field that needed a miracle.  The changes reflect in the recent statistics generated:

 

226 participating dealers

 

3,100 items listed with another 500 posted in a second wave

 

Sales:  800 items sold

 

Turnover:  $850,000+

 

An observation from Marvin:  “we’re seeing an increase of $1,000+ sales"

 

Attendance:  12,500 unique visitors

 

Webinars:  A panel discussion by RBMS librarians discussing  Spiritualism, Magic and the Occult proved popular and they are on uTube and www.getmansvirtual.com.

 

Future events now scheduled:  October 6-8; November 3-5; December holiday event TBA

 

Taken together:  Wow!

Rare Book Monthly

  • <b><center>Sotheby’s<br>Year in Review</center></b> <b>Sotheby’s Year in Review:</b> A Rare Hebrew Bible with Micrographic Masorah. Sold: 1,514,000 USD <b>Sotheby’s Year in Review:</b> "The Freedman's Primer.” Sold: 241,300 USD <b>Sotheby’s Year in Review:</b> Smith, William. "The Map that Changed the World." Sold: 139,700 USD <b>Sotheby’s Year in Review:</b> Psalter, C13th. Illuminated Psalter. Sold: 330,200 GBP <b>Sotheby’s Year in Review:</b> Lincoln, Abraham. The abolition of slavery. Sold: 13,697,500 USD <b>Sotheby’s Year in Review:</b> Vergilius. Opera, Venice, Aldo Manuzio, 1501. Sold: 1,041,400 USD
    Sotheby’s
    Year in Review
    Sotheby’s Year in Review: A Rare Hebrew Bible with Micrographic Masorah. Sold: 1,514,000 USD
    Sotheby’s Year in Review: "The Freedman's Primer.” Sold: 241,300 USD
    Sotheby’s Year in Review: Smith, William. "The Map that Changed the World." Sold: 139,700 USD
    Sotheby’s Year in Review: Psalter, C13th. Illuminated Psalter. Sold: 330,200 GBP
    Sotheby’s Year in Review: Lincoln, Abraham. The abolition of slavery. Sold: 13,697,500 USD
    Sotheby’s Year in Review: Vergilius. Opera, Venice, Aldo Manuzio, 1501. Sold: 1,041,400 USD
  • <b><center>University Archives<br>Rare Autographs & Books Including Lincoln & Space Exploration<br>January 7, 2026</center></b> <b>University Archives, Jan. 7:</b> Jefferson's Owned & Signed "Plutarch's Morals" Vol. 4. - 1st Time At Auction In Nearly 200 Years! <b>University Archives, Jan. 7:</b> Flown NASA Hasselblad 203S Space Camera On Endeavour STS-111, With Components, Data Module & Flown Film Magazine! <b>University Archives, Jan. 7:</b> One Of The Finest Lincoln Assassination Letters Extant, April 15, 1865 - Illustrated & Beyond Dramatic! 8pp. <b><center>University Archives<br>Rare Autographs & Books Including Lincoln & Space Exploration<br>January 7, 2026</center></b> <b>University Archives, Jan. 7:</b> Isaac Newton Highly Important Religious Manuscript With 85+ Words In His Hand, Ex-Bonhams <b>University Archives, Jan. 7:</b> Marilyn Monroe Gorgeous Signed & Inscribed Photograph, PSA Authenticated <b>University Archives, Jan. 7:</b> Rare Ernest Hemingway, 1 Of 10 Signed Presentation Copies Of "Farewell To Arms" <b><center>University Archives<br>Rare Autographs & Books Including Lincoln & Space Exploration<br>January 7, 2026</center></b> <b>University Archives, Jan. 7:</b> Ayn Rand 11pp Revised AMS "The Cold Civil War" For LA Times Newspaper- 900+ Words In Her Hand! <b>University Archives, Jan. 7:</b> Mary Todd Lincoln Calls Abe A "great & good man, who loved & served his country so well" <b>University Archives, Jan. 7:</b> Abraham Lincoln Gives Rebel Woman Pass To Visit Prisoner Of War Husband, Showing A Very Human Lincoln! <b><center>University Archives<br>Rare Autographs & Books Including Lincoln & Space Exploration<br>January 7, 2026</center></b> <b>University Archives, Jan. 7:</b> Babe Ruth PSA Type II Signed Conlon Photo, With Ruth Miniature Louisville Slugger, 16.25" <b>University Archives, Jan. 7:</b> Armstrong, Collins, Aldrin Signed Photo - Prime Crew Apollo 11 - PSA Authenticated <b>University Archives, Jan. 7:</b> Huge Abraham Lincoln Hesler Photo, Ca. 1880 - As If He Were In The Room!
    University Archives
    Rare Autographs & Books Including Lincoln & Space Exploration
    January 7, 2026
    University Archives, Jan. 7: Jefferson's Owned & Signed "Plutarch's Morals" Vol. 4. - 1st Time At Auction In Nearly 200 Years!
    University Archives, Jan. 7: Flown NASA Hasselblad 203S Space Camera On Endeavour STS-111, With Components, Data Module & Flown Film Magazine!
    University Archives, Jan. 7: One Of The Finest Lincoln Assassination Letters Extant, April 15, 1865 - Illustrated & Beyond Dramatic! 8pp.
    University Archives
    Rare Autographs & Books Including Lincoln & Space Exploration
    January 7, 2026
    University Archives, Jan. 7: Isaac Newton Highly Important Religious Manuscript With 85+ Words In His Hand, Ex-Bonhams
    University Archives, Jan. 7: Marilyn Monroe Gorgeous Signed & Inscribed Photograph, PSA Authenticated
    University Archives, Jan. 7: Rare Ernest Hemingway, 1 Of 10 Signed Presentation Copies Of "Farewell To Arms"
    University Archives
    Rare Autographs & Books Including Lincoln & Space Exploration
    January 7, 2026
    University Archives, Jan. 7: Ayn Rand 11pp Revised AMS "The Cold Civil War" For LA Times Newspaper- 900+ Words In Her Hand!
    University Archives, Jan. 7: Mary Todd Lincoln Calls Abe A "great & good man, who loved & served his country so well"
    University Archives, Jan. 7: Abraham Lincoln Gives Rebel Woman Pass To Visit Prisoner Of War Husband, Showing A Very Human Lincoln!
    University Archives
    Rare Autographs & Books Including Lincoln & Space Exploration
    January 7, 2026
    University Archives, Jan. 7: Babe Ruth PSA Type II Signed Conlon Photo, With Ruth Miniature Louisville Slugger, 16.25"
    University Archives, Jan. 7: Armstrong, Collins, Aldrin Signed Photo - Prime Crew Apollo 11 - PSA Authenticated
    University Archives, Jan. 7: Huge Abraham Lincoln Hesler Photo, Ca. 1880 - As If He Were In The Room!

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