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Auction Update Review

The extensive collection of
fine books and manuscripts
held by Barbara J. Land will
be sold at Bonham's on Sept.
22.

Summer is Coming to an End

For the week ending Saturday September 5th, 18 auctions were archived to the Rare Book Hub Transaction Database; 1 denominated in euros, 2 in British pounds, and 15 in US dollars.  Turnover was $6,453,365 as 4,457 lots were offered and 3,850 sold for an 86% success rate. The biggest numbers in this off-season week came from a Heritage comic book auction, where 99%+ of over 1,300 lots sold, bringing in over $5 million.

 

1 auction saw its total proceeds reach a million dollars: 

Heritage Auctions. Comics on August 29th: $5,128,424 

1 auction saw total sales exceed 100% of the high estimates of all lots offered in the sale: 

James D Julia Auctioneers. Annual Summer Fine Arts, Asian and Antiques - Session 4 on August 28th: 149.32% 


11 sales saw at least 80% of their lots sell: 

Alaska Auction. Prints on August 26th: 100.00% 
Heritage Auctions. Comics - Internet bidstart 8/23 on August 30th: 99.66% 
Heritage Auctions. Movie Posters - Internet bidstart 8/23 on August 30th: 99.61% 
Heritage Auctions. Comics on August 29th: 99.17% 
Cowans Auctions. Discovery - Live Auction - Prints on August 29th: 97.30% 
Heritage Auctions. Rare Books - Internet bidstart 8/27 on September 3rd: 90.98% 
James D Julia Auctioneers. Annual Summer Fine Arts, Asian and Antiques - Session 1 on August 25th: 90.91% 
James D Julia Auctioneers. Annual Summer Fine Arts, Asian and Antiques - Session 4 on August 28th: 88.24% 
Bruun Rasmussen. Prints on September 1st: 81.82% 
Lyon and Turnbull. Rare Books, Manuscripts, Maps and Photographs on September 2nd: 80.40% 
Winter Associates. Prints on August 31st: 80.00% 


18 total sales reported this week: 

AntiquarianAuctions.com. Books - Internet Bidstart 8/27 on September 3rd: 44.29% 
Alaska Auction. Prints on August 26th: 100.00% 
Eldreds. Asian Art Auction - Books on August 29th: 33.33% 
Bloomsbury Auctions. Autographs and Memorabilia on September 4th: 73.81% 
Lyon and Turnbull. Rare Books, Manuscripts, Maps and Photographs on September 2nd: 80.40% 
Heritage Auctions. Rare Books - Internet bidstart 8/27 on September 3rd: 90.98% 
Bruun Rasmussen. Prints on September 1st: 81.82% 
Winter Associates. Prints on August 31st: 80.00% 
Mid Hudson Auction Galleries. Prints, Books on August 29th: 0.00% 
Cowans Auctions. Discovery - Live Auction - Prints on August 29th: 97.30% 
James D Julia Auctioneers. Annual Summer Fine Arts, Asian and Antiques - Session 4 on August 28th: 88.24% 
James D Julia Auctioneers. Annual Summer Fine Arts, Asian and Antiques - Session 3 on August 27th: 67.65% 
James D Julia Auctioneers. Annual Summer Fine Arts, Asian and Antiques - Session 2 on August 26th: 79.55% 
James D Julia Auctioneers. Annual Summer Fine Arts, Asian and Antiques - Session 1 on August 25th: 90.91% 
Eldreds. Japanese Arts - Prints on August 26th: 75.46% 
Heritage Auctions. Movie Posters - Internet bidstart 8/23 on August 30th: 99.61% 
Heritage Auctions. Comics - Internet bidstart 8/23 on August 30th: 99.66% 
Heritage Auctions. Comics on August 29th: 99.17% 

The Top 25 Lots Reported This Past Week.
  1. Heritage Auctions Suspense Comics #3 Pennsylvania pedigree (Continental Magazines, 1944) CBCS VF/NM 9.0 White pages. on August 29th Actual price: USD $173,275.
  2. Heritage Auctions John Byrne and Terry Austin X-Men #137 Double Splash Pages 2-3 Original Art (Marvel, 1980). on August 29th Actual price: USD $167,300.
  3. Heritage Auctions All-American Comics #16 (DC, 1940) CGC FN+ 6.5 Cream to off-white pages. on August 29th Actual price: USD $110,538.
  4. Heritage Auctions Alex Raymond Flash Gordon and Jungle Jim Sunday Comic Strip Original Art dated 1-27-35 (King Features Syndication, 1935). on August 29th Actual price: USD $95,600.
  5. Heritage Auctions Frank Frazetta The Amsirs and the Iron Thorn Painted Book Cover Original Art (Fawcett, 1967). on August 29th Actual price: USD $89,625.
  6. Heritage Auctions Carl Barks Sailboat Donald Duck Painting CB-OIL 19 Original Art (1972). on August 29th Actual price: USD $71,700.
  7. Heritage Auctions Marvel Comics #1 (Timely, 1939) CGC VG 4.0 Cream to off-white pages. on August 29th Actual price: USD $68,713.
  8. Heritage Auctions Action Comics #23 (DC, 1940) CGC VF+ 8.5 Cream to off-white pages. on August 29th Actual price: USD $65,725.
  9. Heritage Auctions George Wilson Magnus, Robot Fighter #1 Cover Painting Original Art (Gold Key, 1963). on August 29th Actual price: USD $54,970.
  10. Heritage Auctions The Incredible Hulk #1 (Marvel, 1962) CGC VF- 7.5 Off-white pages. on August 29th Actual price: USD $50,190.
  11. Heritage Auctions Jack Kirby and Vince Colletta New Gods #4 Cover Original Art (DC, 1971). on August 29th Actual price: USD $45,410.
  12. Heritage Auctions Frank Miller and Klaus Janson Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #2 Page 8 Original Art (DC, 1986). on August 29th Actual price: USD $40,630.
  13. Heritage Auctions Frank Frazetta Tarzan At The Earth's Core Bear Attack Illustration and Preliminary Original Art Group of 2 (Canaveral Press, 1962). on August 29th Actual price: USD $40,630.
  14. Heritage Auctions George Tuska and Frank Giacoia Iron Man #8 Cover Original Art (Marvel, 1968). on August 29th Actual price: USD $38,240.
  15. Heritage Auctions George Tuska and Frank Giacoia Iron Man #5 Cover Original Art (Marvel, 1968). on August 29th Actual price: USD $38,240.
  16. Heritage Auctions Curt Swan and George Klein Superboy #113 Cover Original Art (DC, 1964). on August 29th Actual price: USD $38,240.
  17. Heritage Auctions Steve Ditko Beware the Creeper #2 Cover Original Art (DC, 1968). on August 29th Actual price: USD $38,240.
  18. Heritage Auctions Detective Comics #37 (DC, 1940) CGC VF- 7.5 Off-white to white pages. on August 29th Actual price: USD $38,240.
  19. Heritage Auctions Ron Wilson and John Romita Avengers #123 Cover Original Art (Marvel, 1974). on August 29th Actual price: USD $35,850.
  20. Heritage Auctions Jack Kirby and Mike Royer Our Fighting Forces #158 Complete Issue Original Art Group of 19 (DC, 1975). on August 29th Actual price: USD $35,850.
  21. Heritage Auctions Jack Kirby and Dick Ayers Fantastic Four Annual #1 Page 24 Namor Original Art (Marvel, 1963). on August 29th Actual price: USD $35,850.
  22. Heritage Auctions Johnny Craig Vault of Horror #28 Zombie Cover Original Art (EC, 1952). on August 29th Actual price: USD $33,460.
  23. James D Julia Auctioneers TSUGUHARU FOUJITA (Japanese, 1886-1968) “A BOOK OF CATS: BEING 20 DRAWINGS”. on August 28th Actual price: USD $32,588.
  24. Heritage Auctions Charles Schulz Peanuts Daily Comic Strip Original Art dated 3-21-69 (United Feature Syndicate, 1969). on August 29th Actual price: USD $31,070.
  25. Heritage Auctions Superman #1 Verified Signature -- Signed By Siegel, Shuster, and Others (DC, 1939) CBCS Conserved GD- 1.8 Cream to off-white pages. on August 29th Actual price: USD $31,070.



For the week ahead 20 sales are scheduled:

Mon. Sep. 7th
Australian Book Auctions. Armadale, . Books. 297 lots
Bruun Rasmussen. Copenhagen. Prints. 62 lots

Tue. Sep. 8th
Kedem Auction. Jerusalem . Jewish and Israeli History and Culture. 482 lots

Wed. Sep. 9th
Tooveys. West Sussex. Prints. 29 lots
Grays Auctioneers. Cleveland, . Antiques, Scientific Instruments - Books and Papers. 5 lots

Thu. Sep. 10th
Bloomsbury Auctions. London. Bibliophile. 382 lots
Waverly Auctions. Falls Church. Rare Books. 415 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Rare Books - Internet bidstart 9/3. 420 lots
Rago Arts and Auctions. Lambertville. Asian Arts - Woodblock Prints. 100 lots

Fri. Sep. 11th
Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society. Lancaster. Rare and Used Books. 501 lots
Skinner. Boston. Fine Prints and Photographs. 139 lots
Charlton Hall. West Columbia, SC. Fall International Sale. 67 lots
Rago Arts and Auctions. Lambertville. Great Estates Auction - Books and Prints. 33 lots
Brunk Auctions. Asheville, NC . Catalogue Auction: Books and Prints. 12 lots

Sat. Sep. 12th
Neal Auction Company. New Orleans. Fall Estates Auction - Books and Prints - Day 1. 46 lots
Michaans Auctions. Alameda, CA . Estate Auction. 42 lots

Sun. Sep. 13th
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Comics - Internet bidstart 9/6.
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Movie Posters - Internet bidstart 9/6.
National Book Auctions. Ithaca. Books and Ephemera.
Neal Auction Company. New Orleans. Fall Estates Auction - Books and Prints - Day 2. 45 lots

The slower summer season concludes this week with America's last summer holiday - Labor Day. After that, expect the pace to pick up as auctions begin their busiest time of the year.

 

Mike Stillman

RBH and AE

  • <b><center>Heritage Auctions<br>Rare Books Signature Auction<br>December 15, 2025</center></b> <b>Heritage, Dec. 15:</b> John Donne. <i>Poems, By J. D. With Elegies on the Author's Death.</i> London: M[iles]. F[lesher]. for John Marriot, 1633. <b>Heritage, Dec. 15:</b> Edgar Rice Burroughs. <i>Tarzan of the Apes.</i> <b>Heritage, Dec. 15:</b> F. Scott Fitzgerald. <i>Tender is the Night. A Romance.</i> <b>Heritage, Dec. 15:</b> Bram Stoker. <i>Dracula.</i> Westminster: Archibald Constable & Co., 1897. <b>Heritage, Dec. 15:</b> Jerry Thomas. <i>How to Mix Drinks, or the Bon-Vivant's Companion, Containing Clear and Reliable Directions for Mixing All the Beverages Used in the United States…</i>
    Heritage Auctions
    Rare Books Signature Auction
    December 15, 2025
    Heritage, Dec. 15: John Donne. Poems, By J. D. With Elegies on the Author's Death. London: M[iles]. F[lesher]. for John Marriot, 1633.
    Heritage, Dec. 15: Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
    Heritage, Dec. 15: F. Scott Fitzgerald. Tender is the Night. A Romance.
    Heritage, Dec. 15: Bram Stoker. Dracula. Westminster: Archibald Constable & Co., 1897.
    Heritage, Dec. 15: Jerry Thomas. How to Mix Drinks, or the Bon-Vivant's Companion, Containing Clear and Reliable Directions for Mixing All the Beverages Used in the United States…
  • <b><center>Rare Book Hub is now mobile-friendly!</center></b>
    Rare Book Hub is now mobile-friendly!
  • <b>Bonhams, Dec. 8-18:</b> Autograph Letter Signed ("Martinus Luther") to His Friend the Theologian Gerhard Wiskamp ("Gerardo Xantho Lampadario"). $100,000 - $150,000. <b>Bonhams, Dec. 8-18:</b> An Exceptionally Fine Copy of Austenís Emma: A Novel in Three Volumes. $40,000 - $60,000. <b>Bonhams, Dec. 8-18:</b> Presentation Copy of Ernest Hemmingwayís A Farewell to Arms for Edward Titus of the Black Mankin Press. $30,000 - $50,000. <b>Bonhams, Dec. 8-18:</b> Autograph Manuscript Signed Integrally for "The Songs of Pooh," by Alan Alexander. $30,000 - $50,000. <b>Bonhams, Dec. 8-18:</b> Autograph Manuscript of "Three Fragments from Gˆtterd‰mmerung" by Richard Wagner. $30,000 - $50,000. <b>Bonhams, Dec. 8-18:</b> Original Preliminary Artwork, for the First Edition of Snow Crash. $20,000 - $30,000. <b>Bonhams, Dec. 8-18:</b> Autograph Letter Signed ("T.R. Malthus") to Economist Nassau Senior on Wealth, Labor and Adam Smith. $20,000 - $30,000. <b>Bonhams, Dec. 8-18:</b> History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides Finely Bound by Michael Wilcox. $20,000 - $30,000. <b>Bonhams, Dec. 8-18:</b> First Edition of Lewis and Clark: Travels to the Source of the Missouri River and Across the American Continent to the Pacific Ocean. $8,000 - $12,000. <b>Bonhams, Dec. 8-18:</b> Original Artwork for the First Edition of Neal Stephenson's Groundbreaking Novel Snow Crash. $100,000 - $150,000. <b>Bonhams, Dec. 8-18:</b> A Complete Set Signed Deluxe Editions of King's The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King. $8,000 - $12,000. <b>Bonhams, Dec. 8-18:</b> Autograph Letter Signed ("John Adams") to James Le Ray de Chaumont During the Crucial Years of the Revolutionary War. $8,000 - $12,000.
    Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Letter Signed ("Martinus Luther") to His Friend the Theologian Gerhard Wiskamp ("Gerardo Xantho Lampadario"). $100,000 - $150,000.
    Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: An Exceptionally Fine Copy of Austenís Emma: A Novel in Three Volumes. $40,000 - $60,000.
    Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Presentation Copy of Ernest Hemmingwayís A Farewell to Arms for Edward Titus of the Black Mankin Press. $30,000 - $50,000.
    Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Manuscript Signed Integrally for "The Songs of Pooh," by Alan Alexander. $30,000 - $50,000.
    Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Manuscript of "Three Fragments from Gˆtterd‰mmerung" by Richard Wagner. $30,000 - $50,000.
    Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Original Preliminary Artwork, for the First Edition of Snow Crash. $20,000 - $30,000.
    Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Letter Signed ("T.R. Malthus") to Economist Nassau Senior on Wealth, Labor and Adam Smith. $20,000 - $30,000.
    Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides Finely Bound by Michael Wilcox. $20,000 - $30,000.
    Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: First Edition of Lewis and Clark: Travels to the Source of the Missouri River and Across the American Continent to the Pacific Ocean. $8,000 - $12,000.
    Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Original Artwork for the First Edition of Neal Stephenson's Groundbreaking Novel Snow Crash. $100,000 - $150,000.
    Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: A Complete Set Signed Deluxe Editions of King's The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King. $8,000 - $12,000.
    Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Letter Signed ("John Adams") to James Le Ray de Chaumont During the Crucial Years of the Revolutionary War. $8,000 - $12,000.
  • <center><b>Sotheby’s<br>Book Week<br>December 9-17, 2025</b></center> <b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 17:</b> Francesco Colonna. <i>Hypnerotomachie,</i> Paris, 1546, Parisian calf by Wotton Binder C for Marcus Fugger. €200,000 to €300,000. <b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 17:</b> Nausea. <i>De principiis dialectices Gorgias,</i> and other works, Venice, 1523, morocco gilt for Cardinal Campeggio. €3,000 to €4,000. <b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 17:</b> Billon. <i>Le fort inexpugnable de l'honneur,</i> Paris, 1555, Parisian calf gilt for Peter Ernst, Graf von Mansfeld. €120,000 to €180,000. <center><b>Sotheby’s<br>Book Week<br>December 9-17, 2025</b></center> <b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 16:</b> Salinger, J.D. The Graham Family archive, including autographed letters, an inscribed Catcher, a rare studio photograph of the author, and more. $120,000 to $180,000. <b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 16:</b> [Austen, Jane]. A handsome first edition of <i>Sense and Sensibility,</i> the author's first novel. $60,000 to $80,000. <b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 16:</b> Massachusetts General Court. A powerful precursor to the Declaration of Independence: "every Act of Government … without the Consent of the People, is … Tyranny." $40,000 to $60,000.
    Sotheby’s
    Book Week
    December 9-17, 2025
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 17: Francesco Colonna. Hypnerotomachie, Paris, 1546, Parisian calf by Wotton Binder C for Marcus Fugger. €200,000 to €300,000.
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 17: Nausea. De principiis dialectices Gorgias, and other works, Venice, 1523, morocco gilt for Cardinal Campeggio. €3,000 to €4,000.
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 17: Billon. Le fort inexpugnable de l'honneur, Paris, 1555, Parisian calf gilt for Peter Ernst, Graf von Mansfeld. €120,000 to €180,000.
    Sotheby’s
    Book Week
    December 9-17, 2025
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 16: Salinger, J.D. The Graham Family archive, including autographed letters, an inscribed Catcher, a rare studio photograph of the author, and more. $120,000 to $180,000.
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 16: [Austen, Jane]. A handsome first edition of Sense and Sensibility, the author's first novel. $60,000 to $80,000.
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 16: Massachusetts General Court. A powerful precursor to the Declaration of Independence: "every Act of Government … without the Consent of the People, is … Tyranny." $40,000 to $60,000.