Auction Update Review

Rare Book Hub: 43 Auctions Archived, another 60 Upcoming this Week

For the week ended Friday, 29 November, 43 auctions were archived to the Rare Book Hub Transaction Database; 17 in euros, 4 in British pounds, 1 in Mexican pesos, and 21 in US dollars.  Turnover was a svelte $41,358,031 as 14,066 lots were offered and 11,603 sold for an 82% success rate.  It’s the holidays!  Can you tell?

 

11 auctions saw their total proceeds reach a million dollars: 

 


Heritage AuctionsComics on November 22nd: $14,858,021 
ChristiesComic Strips on November 20th: $3,311,870 
Tessier & Sarrou and AssociatesManuscripts of Alexandre Kolchak on November 21st: $3,300,846 
ChristiesRussia: Important Books and Manuscripts on November 27th: $2,752,347 
Pierre Berge and AssociesThomas Vroom Library - History and Perspective on November 15th: $2,652,442 
Heritage AuctionsMovie Posters on November 24th: $2,508,726 
Ketterer Kunst DoerlingRare Books - Evening Sale on November 25th: $2,000,968 
ChristiesLibrary of Martine de Behague and the Counts of Ganay - Part One on November 26th: $1,806,680 
Forum AuctionsFine Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper on November 21st: $1,337,668 
ArtcurialComic Strips on November 23rd: $1,310,247 
RR AuctionFine Autographs and Artifacts - bidstart 11/8 on November 21st: $1,291,925 


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

Tessier & Sarrou and AssociatesManuscripts of Alexandre Kolchak on November 21st: 960.80% 
Jacksons AuctionImportant American and European Fine Art and Antiques on November 20th: 166.69% 
Catawiki B. V.Autographs and Manuscripts - Internet bidstart 11/8 on November 17th: 129.19% 
ChristiesRussia: Important Books and Manuscripts on November 27th: 121.60% 
Forum AuctionsFine Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper on November 21st: 121.22% 
Dorotheum Autographs, Manuscripts, Certificates on November 25th: 120.10% 
Catawiki B. V.Old and Rare Books (Pre-1800) - Internet bidstart 11/8 on November 15th: 106.86% 
De Baecque and AssociesBooks and Prints on November 20th: 104.32% 
ALDEHunting Books on November 20th: 100.90% 


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

Heritage AuctionsMickey Mouse and Friends - Animation Art on November 27th: 100.00% 
Jacksons AuctionImportant American and European Fine Art and Antiques on November 20th: 100.00% 
Leland Little AuctionsHoliday Sale - Books, Prints on November 23rd: 100.00% 
Heritage AuctionsSunday Internet Comics - bidstart 11/17 on November 24th: 99.64% 
Heritage AuctionsWorld Currency Weekly - Internet bidstart 11/19 on November 26th: 99.49% 
Tessier & Sarrou and AssociatesManuscripts of Alexandre Kolchak on November 21st: 99.22% 
Heritage AuctionsSunday Internet Sports Collectibles - Internet bidstart 10/27 on November 24th: 99.17% 
Heritage AuctionsComics on November 22nd: 99.13% 
Heritage AuctionsU.S. Currency Weekly - Internet Bidstart 11/19 on November 26th: 98.88% 
Alaska AuctionTrading cards, Prints, Books on November 21st: 95.00% 
Heritage AuctionsMovie Posters on November 24th: 92.54% 
Trillium Antique Prints & Rare BooksFine Art - Antique Engravings & Lithographs - Works on Paper on November 23rd: 91.00% 
Alaska AuctionTrading cards, Prints, Books on November 20th: 89.60% 
Catawiki B. V.Autographs and Manuscripts - Internet bidstart 11/8 on November 17th: 89.47% 
Forum AuctionsFine Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper on November 21st: 89.13% 
Catawiki B. V.Old and Rare Books (Pre-1800) - Internet bidstart 11/8 on November 15th: 88.89% 
Addison and SarovaRare Books on November 23rd: 87.97% 
Bruun RasmussenPrints on November 26th: 84.07% 
De Baecque and AssociesBooks and Prints on November 20th: 83.33% 
Catawiki B. V.Old and Rare Books (Pre-1800) - Internet bidstart 11/15 on November 22nd: 82.52% 
Catawiki B. V.Old and Rare Books (Pre-1600) - Internet bidstart 11/8 on November 19th: 82.35% 
Neal Auction CompanyLouisiana Purchase Auction on November 24th: 82.05% 
Ketterer Kunst DoerlingRare Books - Evening Sale on November 25th: 81.52% 
Catawiki B. V.Old and Rare Books (Pre-1700) - Internet bidstart 11/8 on November 18th: 80.70% 

 

Top 25 Lots Reported This Past Week.
  1. Heritage Auctions Marvel Comics #1 Windy City pedigree (Timely, 1939) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white pages. on November 22nd Actual price: USD $1,260,000.
  2. Ketterer Kunst Doerling Biblia latina, 2 Bände, 1462. on November 25th Actual price: USD $1,155,834.
  3. Heritage Auctions Robert Crumb Your Hytone Comix (nn) "Stoned Agin!" Inside Back Cover Original Art (Apex Novelties, 1971). on November 22nd Actual price: USD $690,000.
  4. Heritage Auctions Neal Adams Batman #251 Cover The Joker Original Art (DC, 1973). on November 22nd Actual price: USD $600,000.
  5. Christies Tintin et Milou - Le sceptre d'Ottokar on November 20th Actual price: USD $435,213.
  6. Christies Kolchan. [The Quiver]. on November 27th Actual price: USD $306,569.
  7. Christies Fables choisies, mises en vers. on November 26th Actual price: USD $301,618.
  8. RR Auction 1956 Topps Master Set (354) in MINT condition - Current #2 PSA Set Registry (9.44 set rating) on November 21st Actual price: USD $300,000.
  9. Heritage Auctions Jack Kirby and Syd Shores Captain America #103 Cover Red Skull Original Art (Marvel, 1968). on November 22nd Actual price: USD $288,000.
  10. Heritage Auctions Jack Kirby and Chic Stone Fantastic Four Annual #2 Splash Page 1 Doctor Doom Original Art (Marvel, 1964). on November 22nd Actual price: USD $288,000.
  11. Christies Le Premier tome de l'architecture de Philibert de l'Orme conseiller et aumosnier ordinaire du Roy & Abbé de S. Serge les Angiers. on November 26th Actual price: USD $261,439.
  12. Christies Romanticheskiye tsvety: Stikhi [Romantic flowers: Poems]. on November 27th Actual price: USD $250,096.
  13. Pierre Berge and Associes De re aedificatoria. on November 15th Actual price: USD $250,045.
  14. Tessier & Sarrou and Associates Acte de Nicolas II de nomination de la croix de Saint-Georges ?????? on November 21st Actual price: USD $232,484.
  15. Christies Kamen'. Stikhi. [The Stone. Poems]. on November 27th Actual price: USD $225,893.
  16. Christies Voobrazhayemaya geometriya. [Imaginary geometry] in ‘Uchenya zapiski’. on November 27th Actual price: USD $193,623.
  17. Heritage Auctions Dracula (Universal, 1931). Very Fine+. Jumbo Lobby Card (14" X 17"). on November 24th Actual price: USD $192,000.
  18. Pierre Berge and Associes [Elementa Geometria]. Preclarissimus liber elementorum Euclidis perspicacissimi: in artem Geometrie incipit quafoelicissime. on November 15th Actual price: USD $188,452.
  19. Heritage Auctions Jack Kirby and Chic Stone Fantastic Four Annual #2 Story Page 11 Doctor Doom's Origin Original Art (Marvel, 1964). on November 22nd Actual price: USD $180,000.
  20. Christies [Panorama Nevskogo Prospekta].[Panorama of Nevsky Prospect]. on November 27th Actual price: USD $161,352.
  21. Christies Evgenii Onegin. Part I. [Eugene Onegin]. on November 27th Actual price: USD $153,285.
  22. Christies Livre de la Conqueste de la Toison d’or, par le Prince Iason de Tessalie: faict par figures avec exposition d’icelles. on November 26th Actual price: USD $151,359.
  23. Heritage Auctions Whiz Comics #2 (#1) (Fawcett Publications, 1940) CGC FN 6.0 Off-white to white pages. on November 22nd Actual price: USD $150,666.
  24. Heritage Auctions Superman #1 (DC, 1939) CGC GD 2.0 Cream to off-white pages. on November 22nd Actual price: USD $150,000.
  25. Heritage Auctions Batman #1 (DC, 1940) CGC VG 4.0 Off-white to white pages. on November 22nd Actual price: USD $150,000.



43 total sales reported this week:

Tessier & Sarrou and Associates. Manuscripts of Alexandre Kolchak on November 21st: 99.22%
Morton Subastas. Book and Document Auction of the Porfiriato and the Mexican Revolution on November 26th: 41.84%
Neal Auction Company. Louisiana Purchase Auction on November 24th: 82.05%
Artcurial. Comic Strips on November 23rd: 61.80%
Addison and Sarova. Rare Books on November 23rd: 87.97%
Leland Little Auctions. Holiday Sale - Books, Prints on November 23rd: 100.00%
Christies. Russia: Important Books and Manuscripts on November 27th: 51.06%
Christies. Library of Martine de Behague and the Counts of Ganay - Part One on November 26th: 77.01%
Ketterer Kunst Doerling. Rare Books - Main Sale on November 25th: 63.31%
Ketterer Kunst Doerling. Rare Books - Evening Sale on November 25th: 81.52%
Bruun Rasmussen. Prints on November 26th: 84.07%
Heritage Auctions. Mickey Mouse and Friends - Animation Art on November 27th: 100.00%
Dorotheum . Autographs, Manuscripts, Certificates on November 25th: 65.45%
Chiswick Auctions. Books and Works on Paper on November 20th: 65.79%
Forum Auctions. Fine Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper on November 21st: 89.13%
Heritage Auctions. World Currency Weekly - Internet bidstart 11/19 on November 26th: 99.49%
Heritage Auctions. U.S. Currency Weekly - Internet Bidstart 11/19 on November 26th: 98.88%
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Internet Sports Collectibles - Internet bidstart 10/27 on November 24th: 99.17%
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Internet Comics - bidstart 11/17 on November 24th: 99.64%
Alaska Auction. Trading cards, Prints, Books on November 21st: 95.00%
Alaska Auction. Trading cards, Prints, Books on November 20th: 89.60%
Ader. Aristophil Collections - History - Around the French Academy on November 21st: 50.42%
Catawiki B. V.. Old and Rare Books (Pre-1600) - Internet bidstart 11/8 on November 19th: 82.35%
Catawiki B. V.. Old and Rare Books (Pre-1700) - Internet bidstart 11/8 on November 18th: 80.70%
ALDE. Hunting Books on November 20th: 64.78%
De Baecque and Associes. Books and Prints on November 20th: 83.33%
RR Auction. Fine Autographs and Artifacts - bidstart 11/8 on November 21st: 65.91%
Skinner. Country Americana - Signs and Prints on November 21st: 75.00%
Eldreds. The Fall Sale on November 23rd: 57.63%
Eldreds. Fall Marine Sale - Prints on November 21st: 52.63%
Jacksons Auction. Important American and European Fine Art and Antiques on November 20th: 100.00%
PBA Galleries. Rare Books and Manuscripts, with Miniature Books on November 21st: 71.60%
Alexander Historical Auctions. Fall Auction on November 21st: 74.03%
Forum Auctions. Forum Auctions@Artsy: Urban Jungle on November 20th: 51.67%
Christies. Comic Strips on November 20th: 68.65%
Heritage Auctions. Comics on November 22nd: 99.13%
Heritage Auctions. Monthly Photographs Online - bidstart 10/31 on November 20th: 72.41%
Heritage Auctions. Movie Posters on November 24th: 92.54%
Catawiki B. V.. Old and Rare Books (Pre-1800) - Internet bidstart 11/15 on November 22nd: 82.52%
Catawiki B. V.. Autographs and Manuscripts - Internet bidstart 11/8 on November 17th: 89.47%
Catawiki B. V.. Old and Rare Books (Pre-1800) - Internet bidstart 11/8 on November 15th: 88.89%
Pierre Berge and Associes. Thomas Vroom Library - History and Perspective on November 15th: 76.94%
Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books. Fine Art - Antique Engravings & Lithographs - Works on Paper on November 23rd: 91.00%


For the week ahead 60 sales are scheduled:

Mon. Dec. 2nd
Koller Auctions. Zurich. Photography. 135 lots
Adams Amsterdam Auctions. Amsterdam. Fine Art; Modern and Contemporary Works of Art - Prints. 113 lots
Bruun Rasmussen. Copenhagen. Prints. 70 lots
Catawiki B. V.. LA Assen, . Old and Rare Books (Pre-1700) - Internet bidstart 11/22. 63 lots
Zwiggelaar Auctions. Amsterdam. Books and Prints - Session 1. 571 lots

Tue. Dec. 3rd
Sothebys. New York. Space Photography - Online bidstart 11/26. 215 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. U.S. Currency Weekly - Internet Bidstart 11/26. 565 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. World Currency Weekly - Internet bidstart 11/26. 155 lots
Kedem Auctions Ltd.. Jerusalem . Rare and Important Items: A Two Part Auction. 238 lots
Catawiki B. V.. LA Assen, . Old and Rare Books (Pre-1600) - Internet bidstart 11/22. 25 lots
Zwiggelaar Auctions. Amsterdam. Books and Prints - Session 2. 562 lots

Wed. Dec. 4th
Bonhams. London. Fine Books and Manuscripts. 393 lots
Bonhams. New York. History of Science and Technology. 75 lots
Purcell Auctioneers. Birr. Irish Interest Book & Ephemera Auction. 687 lots
Galerie Bassenge. Berlin-Grunewald . 21st Century Photography. 428 lots
Tajan. Paris. Prints. 262 lots
RR Auction. Amherst. Fine Autographs and Artifacts featuring Science and Technology - Internet bidstart 11/22. 909 lots
Heritage Auctions. Hong Kong. World Currency. 855 lots
University Archives. Westport. Stellar Manuscripts, Rare Books, and Apollo Related Items. 263 lots
Aguttes. Neuilly-sur-Seine . Aristophil - 28 * Germanica. 94 lots
Aste Bolaffi. Turin. Posters. 266 lots
Doyle New York. New York. The Angling, Decoy & Americana Collection of John Parmly of Rumson, NJ. online bidstart 11/22. 182 lots
Doyle New York. New York. Hunting Books from the Library of Arnold "Jake" Johnson - Online bidstart 11/22. 101 lots
Zwiggelaar Auctions. Amsterdam. Books and Prints - Session 3. 562 lots

Thu. Dec. 5th
Keys Fine Arts Auctioneers. Norwich. Books. 643 lots
Finarte. Rome. Books, Autographs and Prints. 605 lots
Brunk Auctions. Asheville, NC . Premier Auctions. 51 lots
PBA Galleries. San Francisco. Fine Literature. 455 lots
Thomson Roddick Auctioneers & Valuers. Carlisle. Antiquarian and Collectable Books Auction. 300 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Fall Sports Card Catalog Auction. 3337 lots
Forum Auctions. London. Forum Auctions @ Artsy: Seasonal Selections. 71 lots
Aste Bolaffi. Turin. Sports Memorabilia. 80 lots
Bonhams. New York. Fine Literature, Featuring Two Private Collections. 362 lots
Eldreds. East Dennis,. Asian Art - Books and Prints. 73 lots
Holabird Kagin Americana. Reno. Holiday Treasures - session 1. 365 lots
Bruun Rasmussen. Copenhagen. Prints. 37 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Collection of James Kwis Internet Rare Books. 848 lots

Fri. Dec. 6th
Jeschke van Vliet Auctions Berlin GmbH. Berlin-Schoneberg. Rare Books, Decorative Prints, Historical Photography. 1357 lots
Forum Auctions. London. Online Sale: Maps and Atlases. 232 lots
Garth's Auctioneers and Appraisers. Columbus. December Eclectic Auction. 78 lots
Holabird Kagin Americana. Reno. Holiday Treasures - session 2. 736 lots
Brunk Auctions. Asheville, NC . Premier Auctions. 62 lots
Keys Fine Arts Auctioneers. Norwich. Books. 256 lots
Catawiki B. V.. LA Assen, . Art and Photography - Online bidstart 11/29. 25 lots
Catawiki B. V.. LA Assen, . Old and Rare Books (Pre-1800) - Internet bidstart 11/29. 142 lots
Leland Little Auctions. Hillsborough, NC. Important Single-Owner Collection - Rembrandt and Dali Prints. 9 lots

Sat. Dec. 7th
Koller Auctions. Zurich. Prints and Multiples. 134 lots
Rachel Davis Fine Arts. Cleveland. Prints, etc.. 180 lots
Michaans Auctions. Alameda, CA . Gallery Auction - Books, Prints, Photographs. 39 lots
Vermot de Pas. Paris. Comic Strips, Original Boards. 602 lots
Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books. Franklin. Fine Art - Antique Engravings & Lithographs - Works on Paper. 200 lots
Stair Auctioneers and Appraisers. Hudson. 20th Century, Modern and Contemporary Art. 88 lots
Dirk Soulis Auctions. Lee's Summit . Winter Fine Art - Prints. 137 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Music & Entertainment. 100 lots
Holabird Kagin Americana. Reno. Holiday Treasures - session 3. 757 lots

Sun. Dec. 8th
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Sunday Internet Comics - bidstart 12/1. 858 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Sunday Internet Movie Posters - bidstart 12/1. 565 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Sunday Internet Sports Collectibles - Internet bidstart 11/10. 185 lots
Holabird Kagin Americana. Reno. Holiday Treasures - session 4. 338 lots
Catawiki B. V.. LA Assen, . Autographs and Manuscripts - Internet bidstart 11/29. 48 lots

Bruce McKinney

RBH and AE

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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…
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