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Articles - August - 2025 Issue

During August, the market will hum

- by Bruce E. McKinney

Once upon a time collectible paper auctions were unusual and well-spaced out. In the past, when there was a quiet month, auction houses took opportunities to have siestas. Anymore, quiet months are opportunities to sell material that need extra visibility. For that, August and January are perfect.

 

These days we regularly cover 250+ auctions a month. During this August however, we expect to cover a slim 140 sales that convert into 4.5 sales a day. For the rest of the year, the pace will pick up again.

 

While the auctions need to take some time off, the bidders will still be looking for opportunities. That translates into a higher percentage of lots sold when the sales offered are down. Net net, consignors may be sitting on the edge of their seat it usually works out well.

 

The prices drop a bit while the percentage of lots sold rise. Why? Because it’s August.

 

For the knowledgeable, this quiet period represents a chance to test their skills.

 

Here are the August numbers for the past 15 years:

 

Year

Total Lots

Lots Sold

% Lots Sold

Ave $ Value

Median Value

Total August Sales

2024

40195

34860

0.867

$1,213.00

$250.00

$42,285,180.00

2023

33377

28736

0.861

$1,784.00

$241.00

$51,265,024.00

2022

29170

25839

0.886

$2,067.00

$275.00

$53,409,213.00

2021

37459

33682

0.899

$1,552.00

$228.00

$52,274,464.00

2020

27823

24034

0.864

$955.00

$200.00

$22,952,470.00

2019

23792

20523

0.863

$1,009.00

$180.00

$20,707,707.00

2018

24489

20558

0.839

$1,370.00

$200.00

$28,164,460.00

2017

17676

14180

0.802

$879.00

$188.00

$12,464,220.00

2016

16641

14087

0.847

$877.00

$180.00

$12,354,299.00

2015

21679

15421

0.711

$790.00

$155.00

$12,182,590.00

2014

18576

15612

0.840

$742.00

$167.00

$11,584,104.00

2013

10996

8465

0.770

$1,336.00

$264.00

$11,309,240.00

2012

7273

5499

0.756

$516.00

$156.00

$2,837,484.00

2011

5213

3885

0.745

$538.00

$192.00

$2,090,130.00

2010

3824

2939

0.769

$559.00

$230.00

$1,642,901.00

 

 

Enjoy your vacation. And remember your cellphones can get into your RBH accounts while you’re on vacation.

 

Bon chance!

 

Rare Book Monthly

  • <b>Old World Auctions (Feb 11):</b><br>Lot 11. Blaeu's Superb World Map on a Polar Projection (1695) Est. $5,500 - $7,000 <b>Old World Auctions (Feb 11):</b><br>Lot 36. Schedel's Ancient World Map with Humanoid Creatures (1493) Est. $14,000 - $17,000 <b>Old World Auctions (Feb 11):</b><br>Lot 49. One of the First Lunar Globes to Show the Far Side of the Moon (1963) Est. $1,000 - $1,300 <b>Old World Auctions (Feb 11):</b><br>Lot 5. The First World Map with Lavish Allegorical Vignettes of the Continents (1594) Est. $15,000 - $17,000 <b>Old World Auctions (Feb 11):</b><br>Lot 55. Anti-British Propaganda Map with Churchill as an Octopus (1942) Est. $2,000 - $2,300 <b>Old World Auctions (Feb 11):</b><br>Lot 197. One of the Most Influential Maps of Westward Expansion (1846) Est. $9,500 - $12,000 <b>Old World Auctions (Feb 11):</b><br>Lot 10. Scarce Pitt Edition of Carte-a-Figures Map of the World (1680) Est. $9,500 - $11,000 <b>Old World Auctions (Feb 11):</b><br>Lot 220. A Fine, Early Rendering of San Francisco (1874) Est. $2,200 - $2,500 <b>Old World Auctions (Feb 11):</b><br>Lot 707. Hand-Colored Image of the Presentation of Jesus with Gilt Highlights (1450) Est. $1,600 - $1,900 <b>Old World Auctions (Feb 11):</b><br>Lot 80. One of the Most Important Maps Perpetuating the Myth of the Island of California (1680) Est. $3,250 - $4,000 <b>Old World Auctions (Feb 11):</b><br>Lot 725. Homann's Atlas Featuring 26 Folio-Sized Maps in Original Color (1715) Est. $4,500 - $5,500 <b>Old World Auctions (Feb 11):</b><br>Lot 169. One of the Earliest Maps to Show Philadelphia (1695) Est. $4,750 - $6,000
    Old World Auctions (Feb 11):
    Lot 11. Blaeu's Superb World Map on a Polar Projection (1695) Est. $5,500 - $7,000
    Old World Auctions (Feb 11):
    Lot 36. Schedel's Ancient World Map with Humanoid Creatures (1493) Est. $14,000 - $17,000
    Old World Auctions (Feb 11):
    Lot 49. One of the First Lunar Globes to Show the Far Side of the Moon (1963) Est. $1,000 - $1,300
    Old World Auctions (Feb 11):
    Lot 5. The First World Map with Lavish Allegorical Vignettes of the Continents (1594) Est. $15,000 - $17,000
    Old World Auctions (Feb 11):
    Lot 55. Anti-British Propaganda Map with Churchill as an Octopus (1942) Est. $2,000 - $2,300
    Old World Auctions (Feb 11):
    Lot 197. One of the Most Influential Maps of Westward Expansion (1846) Est. $9,500 - $12,000
    Old World Auctions (Feb 11):
    Lot 10. Scarce Pitt Edition of Carte-a-Figures Map of the World (1680) Est. $9,500 - $11,000
    Old World Auctions (Feb 11):
    Lot 220. A Fine, Early Rendering of San Francisco (1874) Est. $2,200 - $2,500
    Old World Auctions (Feb 11):
    Lot 707. Hand-Colored Image of the Presentation of Jesus with Gilt Highlights (1450) Est. $1,600 - $1,900
    Old World Auctions (Feb 11):
    Lot 80. One of the Most Important Maps Perpetuating the Myth of the Island of California (1680) Est. $3,250 - $4,000
    Old World Auctions (Feb 11):
    Lot 725. Homann's Atlas Featuring 26 Folio-Sized Maps in Original Color (1715) Est. $4,500 - $5,500
    Old World Auctions (Feb 11):
    Lot 169. One of the Earliest Maps to Show Philadelphia (1695) Est. $4,750 - $6,000
  • <b>Gros & Delettrez, Feb. 11:</b> DALVIMART, Octavien ou d’ALVIMAR(T). The Costume of Turkey <b>Gros & Delettrez, Feb. 11:</b> DALVIMART, Octavien ou d’ALVIMAR(T)]. CLARK. The Military Costume of Turkey <b>Gros & Delettrez, Feb. 11:</b> HOMMAIRE DE HELL, Ignace-Xavier. LAURENS, Jules. Voyage en Turquie et en Perse <b>Gros & Delettrez, Feb. 11:</b> POSTEL, Guillaume. De la République des Turc <b>Gros & Delettrez, Feb. 11:</b> PREZIOSI, Amadeo. Stamboul. Souvenir d’Orient. <b>Gros & Delettrez, Feb. 11:</b> COSTUMES. EMPIRE OTTOMAN. <b>Gros & Delettrez, Feb. 11:</b> PRISSE D'AVENNES, Achille Constant T. Emile. L'Art Arabe <b>Gros & Delettrez, Feb. 11:</b> PRISSE D'AVENNES. Histoire de l'art Egyptie <b>Gros & Delettrez, Feb. 11:</b> BESANCENOT, Jean. Costumes et types du Maroc. <b>Gros & Delettrez, Feb. 11:</b> COSTUMES OTTOMANS. Suite de figures ottomanes à l’aquarelle <b>Gros & Delettrez, Feb. 11:</b> LES MILLE ET UNE NUIT, contes arabes <b>Gros & Delettrez, Feb. 11:</b> SCHLEGEL, Hermann et A. H. VERSTER van WULVERHORST. Traité de Fauconnerie - Planches <b>Gros & Delettrez, Feb. 11:</b> THEVENOT, Melchisédec. Relation de divers voyages curieux <b>Gros & Delettrez, Feb. 11:</b>
    Gros & Delettrez, Feb. 11: DALVIMART, Octavien ou d’ALVIMAR(T). The Costume of Turkey
    Gros & Delettrez, Feb. 11: DALVIMART, Octavien ou d’ALVIMAR(T)]. CLARK. The Military Costume of Turkey
    Gros & Delettrez, Feb. 11: HOMMAIRE DE HELL, Ignace-Xavier. LAURENS, Jules. Voyage en Turquie et en Perse
    Gros & Delettrez, Feb. 11: POSTEL, Guillaume. De la République des Turc
    Gros & Delettrez, Feb. 11: PREZIOSI, Amadeo. Stamboul. Souvenir d’Orient.
    Gros & Delettrez, Feb. 11: COSTUMES. EMPIRE OTTOMAN.
    Gros & Delettrez, Feb. 11: PRISSE D'AVENNES, Achille Constant T. Emile. L'Art Arabe
    Gros & Delettrez, Feb. 11: PRISSE D'AVENNES. Histoire de l'art Egyptie
    Gros & Delettrez, Feb. 11: BESANCENOT, Jean. Costumes et types du Maroc.
    Gros & Delettrez, Feb. 11: COSTUMES OTTOMANS. Suite de figures ottomanes à l’aquarelle
    Gros & Delettrez, Feb. 11: LES MILLE ET UNE NUIT, contes arabes
    Gros & Delettrez, Feb. 11: SCHLEGEL, Hermann et A. H. VERSTER van WULVERHORST. Traité de Fauconnerie - Planches
    Gros & Delettrez, Feb. 11: THEVENOT, Melchisédec. Relation de divers voyages curieux
    Gros & Delettrez, Feb. 11:
  • <b><center>Forum Auctions<br>Online: India<br>Ends 19th February 2026</center></b> <b>Forum, Feb. 19:</b> Lot 40<br>Ramasvami (Kavali Venkata). <i>A Digest of the Different Castes of India,</i> 83 charming hand-coloured lithographed plates, Madras, 1837. £5,000-7,000 <b>Forum, Feb. 19:</b> Lot 50<br>Watson (John Forbes) & John William Kaye. <i>The People of India: A Series of Photographic Illustrations...of the Races and Tribes of Hindustan,</i> 8 vol., 480 mounted albumen prints, 1868-75. £4,000-6,000 <b>Forum, Feb. 19:</b> Lot 53<br>Afghanistan.- Elphinstone (Hon. Mountstuart). <i>An Account of the Kingdom of Caubul,</i> first edition, hand-coloured aquatint plates, a fine copy, 1815. £2,000-3,000 <b>Forum, Feb. 19:</b> Lot 57<br>[Album and Treatise on Hinduism], manuscript treatise on Hinduism in French, 31 watercolours of Hindu deities, Pondicherry, 1865. £3,000-4,000 <b>Forum, Feb. 19:</b> Lot 62 Allan (Capt. Alexander). <i>Views in the Mysore Country,</i> [1794]. £2,000-3,000 <b><center>Forum Auctions<br>Online: India<br>Ends 19th February 2026</center></b> <b>Forum, Feb. 19:</b> Lot 76<br>Bird (James). <i>Historical Researches on the Origin and Principles of the Bauddha and Jaina Religions...,</i> first edition, lithographed plates, Bombay, American Mission Press, 1847. £3,000-4,000 <b>Forum, Feb. 19:</b> Lot 100<br>Ceylon.- Daniell (Samuel). <i>A Picturesque Illustration of the scenery, animals, and native inhabitants, of the Island of Ceylon: in twelve plates, 1808. £5,000-7,000 <b>Forum, Feb. 19:</b> Lot 123<br>D'Oyly (Charles). <i>Behar Amateur Lithographic Scrap Book,</i> lithographed throughout with title and 55 plates mounted on 43 paper leaves, [Patna], [1828]. £3,000-5,000 <b>Forum, Feb. 19:</b> Lot 139<br>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 <b><center>Forum Auctions<br>Online: India<br>Ends 19th February 2026</center></b> <b>Forum, Feb. 19:</b> Lot 140<br>Gantz (John). <i>Indian Microcosm,</i> first edition, Madras, John Gantz & Son, 1827. £10,000-15,000 <b>Forum, Feb. 19:</b> Lot 146<br>Grierson (Sir George Abraham). <i>Linguistic Survey of India,</i> 11 vol. in 20, folding maps, original cloth, Calcutta, Superintendent Government Printing, 1903-28. £2,000-3,000 <b>Forum, Feb. 19:</b> Lot 195<br>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 <b>Forum, Feb. 19:</b> Lot 205<br>Marshall (Sir John) and Alfred Foucher. <i>The Monuments of Sanchi,</i> 3 vol., first edition, 141 plates, most photogravure, [Calcutta], [1940]. £3,000-4,000
    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
  • <b>Il Ponte, Feb. 25-26:</b> HAMILTON, Sir William (1730-1803) - Campi Phlegraei. Napoli: [Pietro Fabris], 1776, 1779. € 30.000 - 50.000 <b>Il Ponte, Feb. 25-26:</b> [MORTIER] - BLAEU, Joannes (1596-1673) - Het Nieuw Stede Boek van Italie. Amsterdam: Pieter Mortier, 1704-1705. € 15.000 - 25.000 <b>Il Ponte, Feb. 25-26:</b> 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 <b>Il Ponte, Feb. 25-26:</b> 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
    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
  • <b><center>Sotheby's Fine Books & Manuscripts<br>Available for Immediate Purchase</center></b> <b>Sotheby’s:</b> Balthus, Emily Brontë. <i>Wuthering Heights,</i> New York: The Limited Editions Club, 1993. 6,600 USD. <b>Sotheby’s:</b> Charles Dickens. <i>Complete Works,</i> Philadelphia & London: J.B. Lippincott Company & Chapman & Hall, LD, 1850. Limited Edition set of 30 volumes. 7,500 USD. <b>Sotheby’s:</b> John Lennon, Yoko Ono. Handwritten Letter from John Lennon and Yoko Ono to their Chauffer. 1971. 32,500 USD. <b>Sotheby’s:</b> Winston Churchill. First edition of <i>War Speeches,</i> Cassell and Company, Ltd., 1941. Set of 7 volumes. 5,500 USD. <b>Sotheby’s:</b> Andy Warhol, Julia Warhola. <i>Holy Cats</i> First Edition, Signed by Andy Warhol. 1954. 30,000 USD.
    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.

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