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Sotheby’s
Fine Books & Manuscripts
June 24-25Sotheby’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 - 30,000Bonhams, 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 - 250,000Bonhams, 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 - $120,000Bonhams, 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 - 120,000Bonhams, June 14-23: A New Charter for Virginia, A Response to the First Armed Rebellion in the American Colonies. Estimate: $15,000 - 25,000Bonhams, June 14-23: Earliest obtainable printing of the Bill of Rights. Estimate: $8,000 - 12,000Bonhams, June 14-23: Edward Curtis Orotone. Estimate: $7,000 - 9,000Bonhams, June 14-23: Owned by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis: A Butter or Dessert Plate from FDR's State Dinner Service. Estimate: $3,000 - 5,000Bonhams, June 14-23: An Early Large-Format Plan of the City of Washington. Estimate: $1,500 - 2,500Bonhams, June 14-23: Containing the First Map to Name the Hudson River. Estimate: $20,000 - 30,000Bonhams, June 14-23: America's First Major Novelist, a Complete Chapter in Autograph Manuscript by James Fenimore Cooper. Estimate: $15,000 - 20,000Bonhams, June 14-23: The Only Full-Length Book by Jefferson, with the Justly Famous Map. Estimate: $12,000 - 18,000
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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.
Auction Update Review
Rare Book Hub: 37 Auctions Archived, another 63 Upcoming this Week
For the week ended 9 January, 37 auctions have been archived to Rare Book Hub’s Transactions+: 1 denominated in Canadian dollars, 8 in euros, 3 in British pounds, 1 in Norwegian krone and 24 in U.S. dollars.
Turnover was $3,540,464.57. The average lot brought $598.46. Seven thousand one hundred ninety-two lots were offered and 5,916 found new homes. For the week, 82.26% of all lots offered were sold.
This report includes this past week’s Top 25s for 13 categories, full details for the past week’s sales, as well as a full listing of the upcoming week’s 63 sales.
Start by clicking on the tabs for the Top 25s. They are live!
No auctions saw their total proceeds reach a million dollars:
4 auctions saw total sales exceed 100% of the high estimates of all lots offered:
One Source Auctions. 14th Annual Post New Years Quality Antiques & Collectibles Online Auction on January 5th: 135.88%
University Archives. Rare Autographs, Manuscripts & Books on January 7th: 132.47%
Dreweatts. Art & Interiors: To include selected items from a Regent's Park home by Louise Bradley on January 7th: 115.18%
Sothebys. Bibliotheca Brookeriana: A Renaissance Library. The Reference Library on January 8th: 111.44%
26 sales saw at least 80% of their lots sell:
Sothebys. Bibliotheca Brookeriana: A Renaissance Library. The Reference Library on January 8th: 100.00%
Ripley Auctions. Fine Art Discovery Live! Paintings, Works on Paper, Prints & More on January 7th: 100.00%
Heritage Auctions. Wednesday Trading Card Games Select Auction on January 7th: 100.00%
Heritage Auctions. Wednesday Comic Art and Animation Select Auction on January 7th: 100.00%
Heritage Auctions. Tuesday Animation and Anime Art, Disneyana and Disneyland Select Auction on January 6th: 100.00%
Heritage Auctions. Tuesday World Paper Money Select Auction on January 6th: 100.00%
Heritage Auctions. Sunday, Monday & Tuesday Comic Books Select Auction on January 6th: 100.00%
Catawiki B. V.. Old and Rare Books (pre-1700) on December 27th: 100.00%
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Movie Posters Select Auction on January 4th: 100.00%
Heritage Auctions. Pulp Magazine Select Auction on January 4th: 100.00%
Heritage Auctions. Tuesday US Currency Select Auction on January 6th: 99.81%
University Archives. Rare Autographs, Manuscripts & Books on January 7th: 98.92%
New England Book Auctions. Fine Books & Ephemera List on January 6th: 98.61%
amelia jeffers. Winter Two-Day Great Estates Auction - Day 1 on January 8th: 97.67%
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Sports Collectibles Select Auction on January 4th: 97.11%
Dreweatts. Art & Interiors: To include selected items from a Regent's Park home by Louise Bradley on January 7th: 95.45%
EV Stamps. Stamps and Postal History on January 4th: 95.24%
EV Stamps. Sports, Trading Cards and Comic Books Auction on January 3rd: 94.19%
PBA Galleries. Books in all Fields with Literature, Americana, Maps, Comic Books, Photographs, Art - Timed Online Auction -bidstart 12/22 on January 2nd: 93.09%
John McInnis Auctioneers. New Year's Week Estates Auction 3 on January 3rd: 88.89%
Catawiki B. V.. Old and Rare Books (pre-1700) on January 1st: 88.71%
Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books. Fine Art - Antique Engravings & Lithographs - Works on Paper on January 3rd: 87.42%
Catawiki B. V.. Old and Rare Books (pre-1700) on January 2nd: 86.96%
One Source Auctions. 14th Annual Post New Years Quality Antiques & Collectibles Online Auction on January 5th: 86.88%
Rago Arts and Auctions. LAMA - Prints and Multiples on January 7th: 86.21%
Thomson Roddick Auctioneers & Valuers. Home Furnishings and Interiors. on January 8th: 82.35%
37 total sales reported this week:
Thomson Roddick Auctioneers & Valuers. Home Furnishings and Interiors. on January 8th: 82.35%
Sothebys. Bibliotheca Brookeriana: A Renaissance Library. The Reference Library on January 8th: 100.00%
PBA Galleries. Bob Jump Collection of Bill Graham Rock Posters with the Residents; Art & Photography on January 8th: 64.04%
amelia jeffers. Winter Two-Day Great Estates Auction - Day 1 on January 8th: 97.67%
Vermot de Pas. History and Regions of France on January 7th: 10.76%
Tessier & Sarrou and Associates. Online Sale: Mangas on January 7th: 54.27%
Rossini. Winter Bargains - Arts Classiques on January 7th: 75.86%
Ripley Auctions. Fine Art Discovery Live! Paintings, Works on Paper, Prints & More on January 7th: 100.00%
Rago Arts and Auctions. LAMA - Prints and Multiples on January 7th: 86.21%
Dreweatts. Art & Interiors: To include selected items from a Regent's Park home by Louise Bradley on January 7th: 95.45%
Propstore. Online Entertainment Memorabilia Auction: Los Angeles Winter 2025 on January 8th: 62.28%
A.H. Wilkens Auctions & Appraisals. Holiday Fine & Decorative Arts Auction on January 7th: 69.23%
Heritage Auctions. Wednesday Trading Card Games Select Auction on January 7th: 100.00%
Heritage Auctions. Wednesday Comic Art and Animation Select Auction on January 7th: 100.00%
University Archives. Rare Autographs, Manuscripts & Books on January 7th: 98.92%
New England Book Auctions. Fine Books & Ephemera List on January 6th: 98.61%
Hansons. The Cornwall Antiques sale to include Jewellery, Silver and Watches with Collectors and Asian on January 6th: 54.05%
Purcell Auctioneers. Timed Book Auction - Antiquarian, Modern Literary, Signed Editions etc. etc.. on January 5th: 72.29%
One Source Auctions. 14th Annual Post New Years Quality Antiques & Collectibles Online Auction on January 5th: 86.88%
Heritage Auctions. Tuesday Animation and Anime Art, Disneyana and Disneyland Select Auction on January 6th: 100.00%
Heritage Auctions. Tuesday World Paper Money Select Auction on January 6th: 100.00%
Heritage Auctions. Tuesday US Currency Select Auction on January 6th: 99.81%
Heritage Auctions. Sunday, Monday & Tuesday Comic Books Select Auction on January 6th: 100.00%
Lay's Auctioneers. The Timed Art Sale on January 4th: 75.86%
John McInnis Auctioneers. New Year's Week Estates Auction 3 on January 3rd: 88.89%
EV Stamps. Stamps and Postal History on January 4th: 95.24%
EV Stamps. Sports, Trading Cards and Comic Books Auction on January 3rd: 94.19%
PBA Galleries. Books in all Fields with Literature, Americana, Maps, Comic Books, Photographs, Art - Timed Online Auction -bidstart 12/22 on January 2nd: 93.09%
Antikvariat Bryggen AS. New Year's Book Auction on January 4th: 74.51%
Catawiki B. V.. Old and Rare Books (pre-1700) on December 27th: 100.00%
Catawiki B. V.. Old and Rare Books (pre-1700) on January 2nd: 86.96%
Catawiki B. V.. Old and Rare Books (pre-1700) on January 1st: 88.71%
Catawiki B. V.. Exclusive Maps Auction on December 26th: 41.38%
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Movie Posters Select Auction on January 4th: 100.00%
Heritage Auctions. Pulp Magazine Select Auction on January 4th: 100.00%
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Sports Collectibles Select Auction on January 4th: 97.11%
Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books. Fine Art - Antique Engravings & Lithographs - Works on Paper on January 3rd: 87.42%
For the week ahead 63 sales are scheduled:
Mon. Jan. 12th
Zisska and Lacher. Munich. Auction 86 - Aftersale. 721 lots
Gorringes. Lewes. Weekly House and Gardens. 28 lots
Maison Bibelot. Firenze. The Art of Furnishing: Auction Opportunities. 46 lots
Setdart. BARCELONA. Sports Memorabilia and Modern Art. 172 lots
Bukowskis. Stockholm. Arne Jones. 17 lots
Thomson Roddick Auctioneers & Valuers. Carlisle. Interior Sale of Household Furnishings to include Vinyl Records, Ceramics, Glass and Decorative Ware, Assorted Watches, Jewellery Modern and Traditional and Modern Furniture etc.. 60 lots
Catawiki B. V.. LA Assen, . Old and Rare Books (pre-1700). 75 lots
Keys Fine Arts Auctioneers. Norwich. Weekly Antiques, Collectables & Effects.
Michaans Auctions. Alameda, CA . January Annex Auction - Day 1.
Tue. Jan. 13th
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Tuesday US Currency Select Auction. 503 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Tuesday World Paper Money Select Auction. 163 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Tuesday Animation and Anime Art, Disneyana and Disneyland Select Auction. 100 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. FUN U.S. Currency Signature Auction. 1963 lots
Finarte. Milan. International Photography: Under 1K. 151 lots
Lyon and Turnbull. Edinburgh. The Ski Sale. 88 lots
Bearnes Hampton and Littlewood. Exeter. The Winter Auction. 25 lots
Duke's. Dorchester. Avenue Auctions.
Michaans Auctions. Alameda, CA . January Annex Auction - Day 2.
Thomson Roddick Auctioneers & Valuers. Dumfries. Home Furnishings and Interiors.
Wed. Jan. 14th
Forum Auctions. London. Online; Modern and Contemporary Prints. 174 lots
Finarte. Milan. Photographs Under $1K. 247 lots
Keys Fine Arts Auctioneers. Norwich. Two-Day Books, Maps, Ephemera and Works on Paper. 1196 lots
Tessier & Sarrou and Associates. Paris. Film Posters. 890 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Wednesday Comic Art and Animation Select Auction. 340 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Wednesday Trading Card Games Select Auction. 120 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Depth of Field: Photographs Showcase Auction. 159 lots
Doyle New York. New York. Doyle @ Home. 24 lots
Blackwell Auctions. Clearwater. January Countdown Auction. 69 lots
Grant Zahajko Auctions. DAVENPORT. Asian & World Arts: Centuries of Treasures 500+ Years. 161 lots
Ripley Auctions. Indianapolis. Live Estate Arts, Antiques, & Entertainment Auction with Humanitiques. 91 lots
RR Auction. Amherst. Fine Autographs and Artifacts. 627 lots
Catawiki B. V.. LA Assen, . Old and Rare Books (pre-1700). 47 lots
Los Angeles Estate Auction. Glendale. Vintage Estate Liquidation Auction.
Michaans Auctions. Alameda, CA . January Annex Auction - Day 3.
Thu. Jan. 15th
PBA Galleries. Berkeley. PBA Comics: PRE-CODE, INTERNATIONAL, SILVER & BRONZE, ORIGINAL ART. 566 lots
Forum Auctions. London. Online - Books and Works On Paper. 330 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Non-Sports Trading Cards Showcase Auction. 221 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. TV & Movie Tie-Ins Comics Showcase Auction. 149 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Pulp, Paperback Sci-Fi & Fantasy Showcase Auction. 166 lots
De Baecque and Associes. Lyon. Collection of a Couple of Amateur Collectors from Lyon - Studio Sale Danielle Stéphane. 41 lots
Leland Little Auctions. Hillsborough, NC. January Estate Auction. 29 lots
Rossini. Paris. Modern and Contemporary Art. 589 lots
Thomson Roddick Auctioneers & Valuers. Ayr. Interior Sale of Household Furnishings to include Antiques and Modern Furniture. A Large Selection of Ceramics, Glass and Decorative Ware, Assorted Pocket and Wrist Watches, Jewellery.
Fri. Jan. 16th
Michaans Auctions. Alameda, CA . January Gallery Auction. 20 lots
Desa Unicum. Warszawa. Dream out of Crypton. Prints by Rafał Olbiński. 25 lots
Catawiki B. V.. LA Assen, . Old and Rare Books (pre-1700). 49 lots
Sat. Jan. 17th
Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books. Franklin. Fine Art - Antique Engravings & Lithographs - Works on Paper. 150 lots
Catawiki B. V.. LA Assen, . Exclusive Maps Auction. 29 lots
Catawiki B. V.. LA Assen, . Historical Photography Auction. 18 lots
Morton Subastas. México DF CP 11000. Saturday Sale.
Sun. Jan. 18th
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Sunday Sports Collectibles Select Auction. 247 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Sunday Movie Posters Select Auction.
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Pulp Magazine Select Auction.
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Sunday, Monday & Tuesday Comic Books Select Auction.
EV Stamps. Richmond. Stamps and Postal History. 119 lots
Bukowskis. Stockholm. Japanese Prints & Works of Art - Winter Edition.
Schilb Antiquarian. Columbia. Rare Books with NO Reserve, NO Buyers Premium. 100 lots
Catawiki B. V.. LA Assen, . Photography Books Auction. 19 lots
Cotswold Auction Company. Cirencester. Treasures in Boxes, Books & Household items.
Sydney Rare Book Auctions. Ultimo. Rare Books On History, Science And Travel, Including A Selection Of Antique Fine Silver.
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Winter Fractional Currency Showcase Auction. 352 lots
Catawiki B. V.. LA Assen, . Autographs and Manuscripts. 41 lots
Catawiki B. V.. LA Assen, . Science and Nature Books Auction. 33 lots
Bruce McKinney
RBH and AE
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Bonhams, June 14-23: Palm-reading, astrology, and more. Estimate: $2,000 - 3,000Bonhams, June 14-23: Benjamin Franklin. Sammelband of 45 papers on electricity. Estimate: $8,000 - 12,000Bonhams, June 14-23: The basis for the whole modern electric-power industry. Estimate: $4,000 - 6,000Bonhams, June 14-23: Edgar Allen Poe. Poe on Mesmerism. Estimate: $2,500 - 3,500Bonhams, June 14-23: Reformation - The Architect of Lutheranism on Church Unity and Dissent. Estimate: $100,000 - 150,000Bonhams, 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 - 60,000Bonhams, 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 - 8,000Bonhams, June 14-23: An Illustrated Miniature Hebrew Prayerbook Manuscript. Estimate: $30,000 - 50,000Bonhams, June 14-23: Autograph Working Draft of Arthur Conan Doyle's The Death Voyage. Estimate: $30,000 - 50,000Bonhams, June 14-23: "Perhaps the most celebrated and most beautiful herbal ever published." Estimate: $15,000 - 20,000Bonhams, June 14-23: Izaak Walton. The Compleat Angler or the Contemplative man's Recreation. Being a Discourse of Fish and Fishing. Estimate: $12,000 - 18,000Bonhams, June 14-23: A rare product of the Jaquard loom. Estimate: $8,000 - 12,000
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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.
