Rare Book Monthly

Articles - February - 2025 Issue

Rare Books San Francisco is Back Home: February 1-2. Join Us!

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Rare Books San Francisco returns on February 1-2, 2025 and brings with it a Regency era flare in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the birth of revered English novelist Jane Austen. For more information and tickets, click here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rare-books-san-francisco-tickets-1072832243119?aff=rarebookhub

 

“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of anything than of a book!” -Jane Austen

 

Rare Books San Francisco returns on February 1-2, 2025 and brings with it a Regency era flare in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the birth of revered English novelist Jane Austen (1775-1817).

 

With support from Abe Books and KQED, this celebration of antiquarian books, rare maps, fine printing, ephemera, and artist’s books will take in the Gateway Pavilion at Fort Mason and for the first time, will include a selection of independent writers, artists, and creators curated by San Francisco Zine Fest.

 

“We are excited to be back in the City by the Bay and to bring with us exhibitors from as far away as Australia and the Netherlands and everywhere in between,” said Jodi Tolan, Director of Operations for Rare Books LA, which produces events in California and New York. “This book fair is sure to exceed all expectations in terms of the diversity of materials on display and the outstanding free programs taking place throughout the weekend.”

 

In addition to guided tours of the book fair and a zine making workshop, leading writers and “Janeites” will speak to the life, work, and lasting influence of Jane Austen (1775-1817), author of such classic novels as Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814), and Emma (1816).

 

As part of Rare Books San Francisco's celebration of the 250th birthday of Jane Austen, a special presentation is being made by antiquarian bookseller, author and star of Pawn Stars Rebecca Romney. She will speak about her new book: Jane Austen’s Bookshelf, which introduces readers to the women writers who inspired Jane Austen—and investigates why their books have disappeared from our shelves.

 

This ticketed event includes entry for one to Rare Books San Francisco, an advance copy of Romney’s book, and a special Jane Austen-themed book bag. A portion of the proceeds will benefit The Book Club of California and can be found here on eventbrite:

 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jane-austens-bookshelf-tickets-1105044871959?aff=rarebookhub

 

“Whether you are a collector of early printed books or punk zines, the Harlem Renaissance or the Avant-garde, there is no doubt you will find something to indulge your passion at Rare Books San Francisco,” Tolan said.

 

For more information, including a complete list of exhibitors, visit www.rarebooksla.com

For tickets to the book fair, use this link:

 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rare-books-san-francisco-tickets-1072832243119?aff=rarebookhub

 

Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture

Gateway Pavilion

2 Marina Blvd, San Francisco, CA, 94123


Saturday, February 1

10am – 6pm

Sunday, February 2

11am – 4pm

Rare Book Monthly

  • Sotheby's Fine Books & Manuscripts
    Available for Immediate Purchase
    Sotheby’s: Balthus, Emily Brontë. Wuthering Heights, New York: The Limited Editions Club, 1993. 6,600 USD.
    Sotheby’s: Charles Dickens. Complete Works, Philadelphia & London: J.B. Lippincott Company & Chapman & Hall, LD, 1850. Limited Edition set of 30 volumes. 7,500 USD.
    Sotheby’s: John Lennon, Yoko Ono. Handwritten Letter from John Lennon and Yoko Ono to their Chauffer. 1971. 32,500 USD.
    Sotheby’s: Winston Churchill. First edition of War Speeches, Cassell and Company, Ltd., 1941. Set of 7 volumes. 5,500 USD.
    Sotheby’s: Andy Warhol, Julia Warhola. Holy Cats First Edition, Signed by Andy Warhol. 1954. 30,000 USD.
  • Forum Auctions
    Online: India
    Ends 19th February 2026
    Forum, Feb. 19: Lot 40
    Ramasvami (Kavali Venkata). A Digest of the Different Castes of India, 83 charming hand-coloured lithographed plates, Madras, 1837. £5,000-7,000
    Forum, Feb. 19: Lot 50
    Watson (John Forbes) & John William Kaye. The People of India: A Series of Photographic Illustrations...of the Races and Tribes of Hindustan, 8 vol., 480 mounted albumen prints, 1868-75. £4,000-6,000
    Forum, Feb. 19: Lot 53
    Afghanistan.- Elphinstone (Hon. Mountstuart). An Account of the Kingdom of Caubul, first edition, hand-coloured aquatint plates, a fine copy, 1815. £2,000-3,000
    Forum, Feb. 19: Lot 57
    [Album and Treatise on Hinduism], manuscript treatise on Hinduism in French, 31 watercolours of Hindu deities, Pondicherry, 1865. £3,000-4,000
    Forum, Feb. 19: Lot 62 Allan (Capt. Alexander). Views in the Mysore Country, [1794]. £2,000-3,000
    Forum Auctions
    Online: India
    Ends 19th February 2026
    Forum, Feb. 19: Lot 76
    Bird (James). Historical Researches on the Origin and Principles of the Bauddha and Jaina Religions..., first edition, lithographed plates, Bombay, American Mission Press, 1847. £3,000-4,000
    Forum, Feb. 19: Lot 100
    Ceylon.- Daniell (Samuel). A Picturesque Illustration of the scenery, animals, and native inhabitants, of the Island of Ceylon: in twelve plates, 1808. £5,000-7,000
    Forum, Feb. 19: Lot 123
    D'Oyly (Charles). Behar Amateur Lithographic Scrap Book, lithographed throughout with title and 55 plates mounted on 43 paper leaves, [Patna], [1828]. £3,000-5,000
    Forum, Feb. 19: Lot 139
    Gandhi (known as Mahatma Gandhi,) Fine Autograph Letter signed to Jawaharlal Nehru, Sevagram, Wardha, 1942, emphasising the importance of education in rural communities. £10,000-15,000
    Forum Auctions
    Online: India
    Ends 19th February 2026
    Forum, Feb. 19: Lot 140
    Gantz (John). Indian Microcosm, first edition, Madras, John Gantz & Son, 1827. £10,000-15,000
    Forum, Feb. 19: Lot 146
    Grierson (Sir George Abraham). Linguistic Survey of India, 11 vol. in 20, folding maps, original cloth, Calcutta, Superintendent Government Printing, 1903-28. £2,000-3,000
    Forum, Feb. 19: Lot 195
    Madras.- Fort St. George Gazette (The), No.276-331, pp.493-936 and Index to all of 1834 at end, modern half calf, Madras, 2nd July - 31st December 1834. £2,000-3,000
    Forum, Feb. 19: Lot 205
    Marshall (Sir John) and Alfred Foucher. The Monuments of Sanchi, 3 vol., first edition, 141 plates, most photogravure, [Calcutta], [1940]. £3,000-4,000
  • Il Ponte, Feb. 25-26: HAMILTON, Sir William (1730-1803) - Campi Phlegraei. Napoli: [Pietro Fabris], 1776, 1779. € 30.000 - 50.000
    Il Ponte, Feb. 25-26: [MORTIER] - BLAEU, Joannes (1596-1673) - Het Nieuw Stede Boek van Italie. Amsterdam: Pieter Mortier, 1704-1705. € 15.000 - 25.000
    Il Ponte, Feb. 25-26: TULLIO D'ALBISOLA (1899-1971) - Bruno MUNARI (1907-1998) - L'Anguria lirica (lungo poema passionale). Roma e Savona: Edizioni Futuriste di Poesia, senza data [ma 1933?]. € 20.000 - 30.000
    Il Ponte, Feb. 25-26: IL MANOSCRITTO RITROVATO DI IPPOLITA MARIA SFORZA. TITO LIVIO - Ab Urbe Condita. Prima Decade. Manoscritto miniato su pergamena, metà XV secolo. € 280.000 - 350.000

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