Rare Book Monthly « March - 2014 « Rare Book Hub - Rare Books, Book Auctions, Antiquarian Book Collecting

Rare Book Monthly Articles - March - 2014 Issue

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Book Prices Rose 7% in 2013

Prices in the books and paper field at auction jumped over 7% in 2013. It was the biggest gain in prices since 2007, the year before the financial swoon that left the economy grasping for the nearest lifeboat. Indeed, the book field seems to be following the same path as the economy. After years of struggle, we are finally seeing some modest gains. Happy days may not be here again quite yet, but at least we are finally seeing some signs of progress.

The year 2008 was the toughest for the book trade. A look at the 5 million records in the Americana Exchange Database shows it was the...

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Recent Book and Paper Fairs in California

Book Fairs on the West Coast

Recently, on February 1st and 2nd there was a book and ephemera fair in San Francisco at Fort Mason, on the water on the north side of the city. The weat...

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Copy of Second Highest Priced Book at Auction Goes Up for Sale

On April 1, there will be an auction at Sotheby's in New York for a copy of what was, for years, the most expensive printed book ever sold at auction. Offered is a rare first edition, double elepha...

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When Life Intervenes – a bookseller’s stock to be sold

Anyone involved with books knows that they have babies at a rate that puts rabbits to shame. Many people don’t want them and others can’t live without them. In a town just n...

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Sharp Eyes Discover Hidden Library Theft

A Colchester, Vermont, man has been charged in a case of library theft, and it is an example of just how difficult this crime can be to detect if patrons aren't being watched all of the time. Patri...

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The Gordon Waldorf Collection of Modern Literary High Spots at Sotheby's on April 1st

On April 1st Sotheby’s in New York will conduct two sales, both single owner and one a two-item offering. The Gordon Waldorf Collection of modern literary high spots includes ”tru...

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Master Adam, Craftsman-Poet: If I had a hammer...

If I had a hammer, or rather a brace, I would write verses to add my humble kingpin to the magnificent work of poetry—just like Master Adam Billaut did. In the 17th century, this carpenter-po...

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Adm. Nimitz’s WWII Diary Released in Searchable Digital Format

A digitized version of the wartime diary of Fleet Adm. Chester Nimitz went online Feb. 24. The event coincided with Nimitz’s 129th birthday and included a live stream of the occasion. The U.S...

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Archives International: Collectible Paper at Auction on March 11th

Come March 11, collectors of banknotes, scripophily (the study and collection of stock and bond certificates), and security printing ephemera may be hoping they’ve saved enough of their own c...

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Arader Galleries Auction on April 5th

Come April 5th, Arader Galleries in conjunction with Mid-Hudson Auction Galleries will be offering a sale of prints, paintings, books, and maps concerning Natural History and Americana. The auction...

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Making Translations Easier

The Americana Exchange is the world's greatest source for listings and results from auctions in the field of books, ephemera, and works on paper. This site tracks over 150 auction houses, posts lis...

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Auctions in March

Auctions in March
For the month of March 89 auctions in the books, manuscripts, maps and ephemera category are scheduled. The pace of sales is brisk, the year over year comparison sugg...

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19 New Catalogues Reviewed

Nineteen new booksellers catalogues are up for review this month. Naturally, there is a great variety this time. Bauman Rare Books features “85 Great Books,” and these are great books i...

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Rare Book Monthly

<b>Swann Auction Galleries, July 30:</b> Adam Smith, <i>Wealth of Nations,</i> first edition, descended from William Alexander, London, 1776. $70,000 to $90,000.

<b>Swann Auction Galleries, July 30:</b> George Gershwin, photograph signed & inscribed with autograph musical quotation, <i>An American in Paris,</i> 1928. $8,000 to $12,000.

<b>Swann Auction Galleries, July 30:</b> Friedrich Engels, <i>The Condition of the Working Class in England,</i> first edition, NY, 1887. $5,000 to $7,500.

<b>Swann Auction Galleries, July 30:</b> <i>Bury St. Edmunds Witch Trials,</i> first edition, London, 1682. $2,000 to $3,000.

<b>Swann Auction Galleries, July 30:</b> Robert Rey, <i>Estampes,</i> complete portfolio of 12 wood engravings, Paris, 1950. $12,000 to $18,000.

<b>Swann Auction Galleries, July 30:</b> Archive of 47 letters by Enrico Caruso to a lady friend, 1906-20. $7,000 to $10,000.

<b>Swann Auction Galleries, July 30:</b> Books of Hours in Flemish, Netherlands, 15th century. $8,000 to $10,000.

<b>Swann Auction Galleries, July 30:</b> Jack Kerouac, <i>Doctor Sax,</i> deluxe limited edition, signed, NY, 1959. $4,000 to $6,000.

<b>Swann Auction Galleries, July 30:</b> Walt Disney, signature on title-page of Ward Greene’s <i>Lady and the Tramp,</i> first edition, first printing. $3,000 to $4,000.

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