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Auction Update Review

Sotheby's New York, Click
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Dirk Soulis, Auction Ends
Nov 24th. Click on image.

45 Auctions Archived, 35 Upcoming

For the week ended Saturday 21 November 45 auctions were archived to the Rare Book Hub Transaction Database; 16 denominated in euros, 3 in British pounds, 1 in SA rands, and 25 in US dollars.  Turnover was $17,592,653 as 10,135 lots were offered and 7,170 sold for a 71% success rate.

5 auctions saw their total proceeds reach a million dollars: 

Sothebys. Travel, Atlases, Maps and Natural History on November 17th: $3,228,483 
Christies. COLLECTION SHALOM SHPILMAN VENDUE AU PROFIT DU SHPILMAN INSTITUTE FOR PHOTOGRAPHY - Part 1 on November 13th: $1,711,973 
Christies. COLLECTION SHALOM SHPILMAN VENDUE AU PROFIT DU SHPILMAN INSTITUTE FOR PHOTOGRAPHY - Part 2 on November 20th: $1,172,319 
Skinner. Fine Books and Manuscripts on November 15th: $1,112,578 
Kestenbaum and Company. PART II: RABBINIC MANUSCRIPTS FROM AN IMPORTANT COLLECTION on November 19th: $1,079,171 

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

Stair Auctioneers and Appraisers. Property from Cornelia Guest, Formerly The Collection of Winston & C.Z. Guest, Templeton on November 14th: 211.84% 
Artcurial. Modern Books and Manuscripts on November 17th: 155.01% 
Potter and Potter Auctions. Grosman/Nicholson Magic Collection on October 31st: 146.51% 
Tajan. Books and Prints on November 17th: 119.39% 
Northeast Auctions. Portsmouth, N.H. Fall Weekend Auction on November 1st: 111.53% 
ALDE. Binders, Original, Modern, Illustrated on November 18th: 107.57% 
Fonsie Mealy Auctioneers. Important Country House Sale - Furness, Naas, Co. Kildare on October 6th: 102.96% 
Northeast Auctions. Memorial Day Weekend Auction on May 24th: 102.64% 

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

Stair Auctioneers and Appraisers. Property from Cornelia Guest, Formerly The Collection of Winston & C.Z. Guest, Templeton on November 14th: 100.00% 
Alaska Auction. Books and Prints on November 13th: 100.00% 
Alaska Auction. Books and Prints on November 14th: 100.00% 
Heritage Auctions. Comics - Internet bidstart 11/8 on November 15th: 99.58% 
Heritage Auctions. Movie Posters - Internet bidstart 11/8 on November 15th: 98.08% 
Potter and Potter Auctions. Grosman/Nicholson Magic Collection on October 31st: 97.28% 
Aspire Auctions. Prints - Internet bidstart 10/23 on October 31st: 97.06% 
Heritage Auctions. Rare Books - Internet bidstart 3/6 on November 19th: 96.25% 
Northeast Auctions. Portsmouth, N.H. Fall Weekend Auction on November 1st: 95.33% 
Northeast Auctions. Memorial Day Weekend Auction on May 24th: 91.03% 
Skinner. Fine Books and Manuscripts on November 15th: 87.04% 
Clars Auction Gallery. Prints on November 14th: 86.39% 
One Of Kind Collictibles. Autographs, Documents and Photographs on November 19th: 84.40% 
Bloomsbury Auctions. Bibliophile on November 19th: 83.53% 

45 total sales reported this week: 

Pandolfini. Books, Prints and Drawings on November 18th: 60.98% 
Auctionata. Modern Art on November 20th: 43.38% 
Auctionata. Photography on November 20th: 15.22% 
Christies. COLLECTION SHALOM SHPILMAN VENDUE AU PROFIT DU SHPILMAN INSTITUTE FOR PHOTOGRAPHY - Part 2 on November 20th: 61.33% 
Christies. COLLECTION SHALOM SHPILMAN VENDUE AU PROFIT DU SHPILMAN INSTITUTE FOR PHOTOGRAPHY - Part 1 on November 13th: 66.67% 
One Of Kind Collictibles. Autographs, Documents and Photographs on November 19th: 84.40% 
Kestenbaum and Company. PART II: RABBINIC MANUSCRIPTS FROM AN IMPORTANT COLLECTION on November 19th: 65.90% 
PBA Galleries. Rare Books & Manuscripts on November 19th: 57.79% 
Heritage Auctions. Rare Books - Internet bidstart 3/6 on November 19th: 96.25% 
Freemans. The Sporting Sale on November 19th: 37.50% 
Swann Galleries. Rare and important Travel Posters on November 19th: 76.85% 
Bloomsbury Auctions. Photographs on November 19th: 37.79% 
Bloomsbury Auctions. Bibliophile on November 19th: 83.53% 
Jacksons Auction. World Treasures: Important Russian, European, Asian & American Works on November 18th: 69.51% 
Ader. Exceptional Photograph Books on November 15th: 45.41% 
ALDE. Binders, Original, Modern, Illustrated on November 18th: 72.04% 
Tajan. Books and Prints on November 17th: 60.77% 
Auctionata. The Floating World - Japanese Prints on November 17th: 8.24% 
Artcurial. Modern Books and Manuscripts on November 17th: 59.65% 
Bonhams. Post War and Contemporary Prints and Multiples on November 17th: 46.67% 
Sothebys. Travel, Atlases, Maps and Natural History on November 17th: 60.33% 
Bruun Rasmussen. Books and Maps on November 17th: 77.64% 
Bruun Rasmussen. Prints on November 17th: 70.77% 
Auxerre Encheres Estimations. Antiquarian and Modern Books on November 13th: 69.77% 
Alaska Auction. Books and Prints on November 14th: 100.00% 
Alaska Auction. Books and Prints on November 13th: 100.00% 
Stair Auctioneers and Appraisers. Property from Cornelia Guest, Formerly The Collection of Winston & C.Z. Guest, Templeton on November 14th: 100.00% 
Clars Auction Gallery. Prints on November 14th: 86.39% 
Skinner. Fine Books and Manuscripts on November 15th: 87.04% 
Bonhams. Prints, Photographs and Works on Paper on November 14th: 54.46% 
Quagga Rare Books and Art. Collectable out-of-print books including Anglo-Boer War. - Internet bidstart 11/9 on November 16th: 51.85% 
Bolaffi Ambassador Auctions. Posters - Internet bidstart 10/5 on October 30th: 44.54% 
Fonsie Mealy Auctioneers. Important Country House Sale - Furness, Naas, Co. Kildare on October 6th: 73.93% 
Binoche et Giquello. Old Maps - Travel on November 6th: 42.64% 
Artcurial. Photography - Pierre Molinier, Emmanuelle Arsan Collection on November 13th: 48.45% 
RR Auction. Fine Autographs & Artifacts - Internet bidstart 10/23 on November 11th: 55.58% 
Northeast Auctions. Memorial Day Weekend Auction on May 24th: 91.03% 
Northeast Auctions. Portsmouth, N.H. Fall Weekend Auction on November 1st: 95.33% 
Potter and Potter Auctions. Grosman/Nicholson Magic Collection on October 31st: 97.28% 
Aspire Auctions. Prints - Internet bidstart 10/23 on October 31st: 97.06% 
Archives International Auctions. AIA Part XXIX - Session 2 - Wall St. on October 29th: 72.31% 
ALDE. Library of Michel Wittock VI on November 12th: 78.18% 
Heritage Auctions. Movie Posters - Internet bidstart 11/8 on November 15th: 98.08% 
Heritage Auctions. Comics - Internet bidstart 11/8 on November 15th: 99.58% 
Heritage Auctions. Photographs on November 13th: 49.39% 

The Top 25 Lots Reported This Past Week.
  1. Sothebys ATLAS MAJOR, SIVE COSMOGRAPHIA BLAVIANA, QUA SOLUM, SALUM, COELUM ACCURATISSIME DESCRIBUNTUR. on November 17th Actual price: USD $883,120.
  2. Artcurial LIVRE D'HEURES EN LATIN ENLUMINE SUR PEAU DE VELIN, AVEC QUELQUES RUBRIQUES EN NEERLANDAIS on November 17th Actual price: USD $373,430.
  3. Christies Les années vous guettent, 1936 on November 13th Actual price: USD $348,285.
  4. Skinner The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America. on November 15th Actual price: USD $237,000.
  5. Artcurial POISSONS, ECREVISSES ET CRABES, DE DIVERSES COULEURS ET FIGURES EXTRAORDINAIRES, QUE L'ON TROUVE AUTOUR DES ISLES MOLUQUES, ET SUR LES COTES DES TERRES AUSTRALES on November 17th Actual price: USD $221,975.
  6. Sothebys CHOIX DES PLUS BELLES FLEURS. on November 17th Actual price: USD $208,240.
  7. Christies Nature morte avec un jeu d'échecs, moulage en plâtre et A l'Heure de l'Observatoire - Les Amoureux, vers 1935-1936 on November 13th Actual price: USD $181,365.
  8. Sothebys THE HOLY LAND, SYRIA, IDUMEA, ARABIA, EGYPT, AND NUBIA. on November 17th Actual price: USD $180,500.
  9. Sothebys TRAITE DES ARBRES ET ARBUSTES QUE L'ON CULTIVE EN FRANCE EN PLEINE TERRE... on November 17th Actual price: USD $171,000.
  10. Sothebys HISTOIRE NATURELLE DES PERROQUETS. on November 17th Actual price: USD $133,000.
  11. Northeast Auctions "THE BLOODY MASSACRE PERPETRATED IN KING STREET, BOSTON ON MARCH 5TH, 1770, BY A PARTY OF THE 29TH REG’T." on November 1st Actual price: USD $120,000.
  12. Christies Komposition, vers 1935 on November 13th Actual price: USD $117,165.
  13. Christies Cerro Morro Solar, Lima, Peru, 2003 on November 20th Actual price: USD $117,165.
  14. Sothebys THE PRINCIPALL NAVIGATIONS, VOIAGES AND DISCOVERIES OF THE ENGLISH NATION, MADE BY SEA OR OVER LAND. on November 17th Actual price: USD $114,000.
  15. ALDE Les Euvres de Sainct Justin, philosophe & martyr, mises de grec en langage françois, par Jan de Maumont. on November 12th Actual price: USD $110,959.
  16. Christies Fotogramm, 1922 (1926 dans le Catalogue Raisonné) on November 13th Actual price: USD $110,745.
  17. Sothebys HORTI MEDICI AMSTELODAMENSIS RARIORUM TAM ORIENTALIS QUAM OCCIDENTALIS INDIAE, ALIARUMQUE PEREGRINARUM PLANTARUM. on November 17th Actual price: USD $104,500.
  18. Sothebys LES ROSES. on November 17th Actual price: USD $85,500.
  19. Kestenbaum and Company Prophets and Writings: Jeremiah (Yirmiyahu). * Zechariah. * Proverbs (Mishlei). * Chronicles (Divrei Hayamim). Fragment of each Biblical Book, along with Massoretic notes. on November 19th Actual price: USD $79,950.
  20. Christies Study at Night from Steichen's Studio at 40th st., New York, vers 1933 on November 13th Actual price: USD $78,645.
  21. Christies A Unique Object, 1936 on November 13th Actual price: USD $78,645.
  22. Kestenbaum and Company Illuminated Marriage Contract. Uniting Isaac Moses, son of Shabthai Zadik, with Hanna, daughter of Mordehai Zvi. Witnessed by: Binyamin son of Shem-Tov Havali and Hizkiyahu, son of Gabriel Atrik. Artist-scribe: Shmuel Manoach, son of Shabthai Isaac of Fia on November 19th Actual price: USD $73,800.
  23. Ader Chine on November 15th Actual price: USD $73,563.
  24. Christies Oskar Schlemmer in Ascona, 1927 on November 13th Actual price: USD $72,225.
  25. Sothebys THE HOLY LAND, SYRIA, IDUMEA, ARABIA, EGYPT, AND NUBIA. on November 17th Actual price: USD $72,200.


For the week ahead 35 sales are scheduled:

Mon. Nov. 23rd
Bonhams. New York. Entertainment Memorabilia. 304 lots
Doyle New York. New York. Rare Books, Autographs and Photographs. 794 lots
Ketterer Kunst Doerling. Hamburg. Rare Books. 1191 lots
Sothebys. New York. Prints and Multiples. 381 lots
Bruun Rasmussen. Copenhagen. Prints. 103 lots

Tue. Nov. 24th
Bubb Kuyper. 2011 KM Haarlem. Books: Bibliography, Arts, Children's Books. 1160 lots
Aguttes. Neuilly-sur-Seine . Books and Old Paper. 370 lots
Hauswedell and Nolte. Hamburg. Rare Books and Autographs. 869 lots
Swann Galleries. New York. Art, Press & Illustrated Books. 277 lots
Bonhams. London. Prints and Multiples. 129 lots
Dirk Soulis Auctions. Lee's Summit . The Harry Ruskin Collection Rare Books, Prints and Works on Paper - Internet Bidstart 11/2. 412 lots
Sothebys. London. Library of and English Gentleman. 145 lots
Bubb Kuyper. 2011 KM Haarlem. Books: Fine Printing, Literature. 735 lots

Wed. Nov. 25th
Bloomsbury Auctions. London. Fine Art Sale, Part 2: Modern and Contemporary Art and Editions - Prints. 127 lots
ALDE. Paris. Library of an Amateur. 135 lots
PIASA. Paris. Pierre Székely (1923-2001) Sculptures, reliefs and prints. 53 lots
Bubb Kuyper. 2011 KM Haarlem. Books: Varia, History, Natural History. 1201 lots
Bubb Kuyper. 2011 KM Haarlem. Manuscripts, Old and Rare Books. 707 lots

Thu. Nov. 26th
AntiquarianAuctions.com. Cape Town. Books - Internet Bidstart 11/19. 482 lots
Galerie Bassenge. Berlin-Grunewald . 15th-19th Century Prints. 905 lots
Aguttes. Neuilly-sur-Seine . Books and Old Paper. 581 lots
Beaussant Lefevre. Paris. Antiquarian and Modern Books. 66 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Rare Books - Internet bidstart 11/19. 259 lots
Anteo Subastas. San Sebastián. November Sale. 9 lots
De Baecque and Associes. Lyon. Ancient and Modern Books. 307 lots
Bubb Kuyper. 2011 KM Haarlem. Modern Art: Prints and Drawings (part 1). 1042 lots
Bubb Kuyper. 2011 KM Haarlem. Modern Art (2), Photographs, Japanese Prints. 653 lots

Fri. Nov. 27th
Ader. PARIS. Letters and Autograph Manuscripts - Regarding the Josephine Baker Collection. 325 lots
Jeschke van vliet Buch und Kunstauktionen GmbH. Berlin-Schoneberg. Rare Books, Prints and Photographs. 1358 lots
Bubb Kuyper. 2011 KM Haarlem. Drawings, Old Master Prints, Maps and Plans.

Sat. Nov. 28th
De Baecque and Associes. Lyon. Photographs - Ancient and Modern Books.
Galerie Bassenge. Berlin-Grunewald . Modern Art Part II - Prints.
Galerie Bassenge. Berlin-Grunewald . Modern Art Part I - Prints.

Sun. Nov. 29th
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Comics - Internet bidstart 11/22.
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Movie Posters - Internet bidstart 11/22.

Bruce McKinney

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.