Auction Update Review

Rare Book Hub: 43 Auctions Archived, another 39 Upcoming this Week

For the week ended Friday 12 January, 43 auctions were archived to Rare Book Hub’s Transactions+ database; 1 denominated in Chinese yuan, 1 in Danish krone, 5 in euros, 6 in British pounds, 1 in Mexican pesos, and 29 in US dollars.

 

Turnover was $7,219,746.14 as 85.38% of all lots changed hands.  The average lot sold for $811.94.

 

The auction market returns!

 

As well, we are now including collectible paper sales held in mainland China.  We hope and expect to see many more!  You'll see one in today's report.

 

2 auctions saw their total proceeds reach a million dollars:

Christies10th Shanghai Auction Anniversary: 20th and 21st Centuries: Art Evening Sale on September 23rd: $1,309,125
RR AuctionFine Autographs and Artifacts - bidstart 12/15 on January 10th: $1,029,431
 

5 auctions saw total sales exceed 100% of the high estimates of all lots offered:

New England AuctionsFine Americana, Folk Art and Native American from estates and collections on January 10th: 170.80%
Catawiki B. V.Old and Rare Books Auction (pre-1700) - bidstart 12/22 on January 3rd: 160.59%
Tennants AuctioneersStamps, Postcards and Postal History on January 10th: 142.57%
New England AuctionsAntiques & Works of Art from Estates & Collections on January 11th: 123.37%
Bruun RasmussenModern Art and Design - Prints on January 9th: 106.11%


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

New England AuctionsAntiques & Works of Art from Estates & Collections on January 11th: 100.00%
New England AuctionsFine Americana, Folk Art and Native American from estates and collections on January 10th: 100.00%
William H. Bunch Auctions and AppraisalsEclectic Variety Auction on January 9th: 100.00%
Schilb AntiquarianRare Books with NO Reserve, NO Buyer's Premium on January 7th: 100.00%
Heritage AuctionsTuesday World Paper Money Select Auction on January 9th: 100.00%
Christies10th Shanghai Auction Anniversary: 20th and 21st Centuries: Art Evening Sale on September 23rd: 100.00%
Heritage AuctionsSunday, Monday & Tuesday Comic Books Select Auction on January 9th: 99.67%
Heritage AuctionsSunday, Monday & Tuesday Comic Books Select Auction on January 2nd: 99.61%
Heritage AuctionsSunday Sports Collectibles Select Auction on January 7th: 99.12%
Heritage AuctionsWednesday Comic Art and Animation Select Auction on January 10th: 98.81%
New England Book AuctionsFine Books and Ephemera List on January 9th: 98.67%
Heritage AuctionsTuesday US Currency Select Auction on January 9th: 98.66%
Heritage AuctionsSunday Sports Collectibles Select Auction on December 24th: 97.94%
Trillium Antique Prints & Rare BooksFine Art - Antique Engravings & Lithographs - Works on Paper on January 6th: 97.13%
PBA GalleriesBooks in All Fields with Literature, Americana and Maps - Fine Press - bidstart 12/22 on January 4th: 97.12%
Heritage AuctionsStar Wars Holiday Movie Posters Showcase Auction on January 10th: 95.48%
Catawiki B. V.Old and Rare Books Auction (pre-1700) - bidstart 12/22 on January 3rd: 94.83%
Potter and Potter AuctionsGolden Age and Pre-Code Horror: The Comic Book Collection of Stephen J. Farber on January 11th: 94.80%
Bruun RasmussenModern Art and Design - Prints on January 9th: 94.55%
Tennants AuctioneersStamps, Postcards and Postal History on January 10th: 94.12%
Heritage AuctionsWednesday Trading Card Games Select Auction on January 10th: 92.25%
University ArchivesRare, Signed Manuscripts, Books, Photos and Relics on January 10th: 92.08%
One Source Auctions12TH ANNUAL POST NEW YEARS QUALITY ANTIQUES & COLECTIBLES ONLINE AUCTION on January 8th: 91.88%
Heritage AuctionsSunday Movie Posters Select Auction on January 7th: 91.84%
Catawiki B. V.Autographs and Manuscripts - bidstart 12/22 on December 31st: 85.48%
EV StampsSports and Comics Auction on January 6th: 84.09%
Catawiki B. V.Old and Rare Books Auction (pre-1700) - bidstart 12/22 on January 1st: 82.67%
Purcell AuctioneersTimed Auction - Antiquarian Books, Irish & World Literature and Poetry, ... on January 4th: 81.40%
RR AuctionFine Autographs and Artifacts - bidstart 12/15 on January 10th: 80.52%
Forum AuctionsFine Books, Manuscripts, and Works on Paper on January 11th: 80.51%
 
 
Top 25 Lots Reported This Past Week.
  1. Christies Autograph manuscript signed ('A. Einstein'), 'Altes und Neues zur Feld-Theorie', [Berlin, before 3 February 1929], with two pages of scientific workings. In German. 14 pages, 290 x 229mm. on September 23rd Actual price: USD $1,309,125.
  2. RR Auction Sun Yat-sen Hand-Annotated Typed Manuscript: "How China Was Made a Republic" on January 10th Actual price: USD $75,625.
  3. New England Auctions Andy Warhol on January 11th Actual price: USD $70,400.
  4. Rago Arts and Auctions Views of Hotel Well I (from the Moving Focus series) on January 10th Actual price: USD $69,300.
  5. University Archives Ronald Reagan "Win one for the Gipper" Famous Commencement Speech for the University of Notre Dame Class of 1981. Perhaps the Best Ever Offered! on January 10th Actual price: USD $62,500.
  6. RR Auction Bob Dylan Handwritten and Signed Lyrics for 'All Along the Watchtower' on January 10th Actual price: USD $53,625.
  7. Rago Arts and Auctions The Witch (from the Myths series) on January 10th Actual price: USD $47,880.
  8. Potter and Potter Auctions Captain America Comics #1 on January 11th Actual price: USD $45,600.
  9. RR Auction Gustav Mahler Autograph Letter Signed on Rehearsals for Strauss's 'Feuersnot' on January 10th Actual price: USD $43,750.
  10. RR Auction Sam Houston Autograph Letter Signed to Brother on His Arrival in Texas: "Texas is the finest portion of the Globe, that has, ever blessed my vision" on January 10th Actual price: USD $40,676.
  11. Rago Arts and Auctions OK (State II) on January 10th Actual price: USD $40,320.
  12. Kestenbaum and Company FULL THREE-LINE AUTOGRAPH INSCRIPTION IN THE HAND OF THE CHOFETZ CHAIM ONE THE OPENING PAGE. on January 11th Actual price: USD $32,500.
  13. Rago Arts and Auctions Untitled III (from The Figure portfolio) on January 10th Actual price: USD $30,240.
  14. Rago Arts and Auctions Untitled IV (from The Figure portfolio) on January 10th Actual price: USD $30,240.
  15. Rago Arts and Auctions Mammy (from the Myths series) on January 10th Actual price: USD $30,240.
  16. Rago Arts and Auctions Untitled (from the Pop Shop IV series) on January 10th Actual price: USD $30,240.
  17. Lyon and Turnbull GSTAAD - lithographic poster on January 11th Actual price: USD $28,939.
  18. Heritage Auctions Amazing Fantasy #15 (Marvel, 1962) CGC GD/VG 3.0 Off-white pages. on January 9th Actual price: USD $28,800.
  19. Potter and Potter Auctions Human Torch #2 (#1) on January 11th Actual price: USD $28,800.
  20. Rago Arts and Auctions In the Cloud on January 10th Actual price: USD $27,720.
  21. University Archives Ronald Reagan, 1st Draft of "Welcome Home" Freed Iranian Hostages Speech, Signed & Copiously Annotated on January 10th Actual price: USD $25,000.
  22. RR Auction Benjamin Franklin Document Signed for Revolutionary War Veteran's Pension on January 10th Actual price: USD $24,361.
  23. Kestenbaum and Company Joint autographed letters signed, written in Russian, to Nacha Rivkin. on January 11th Actual price: USD $23,750.
  24. Heritage Auctions Sal Buscema and Joe Staton The Incredible Hulk #197 Story Page 1 Original Art (Marvel, 1976). on January 10th Actual price: USD $22,800.
  25. Heritage Auctions Amazing Fantasy #15 (Marvel, 1962) CGC Apparent VG- 3.5 Slight (C-1) Cream to off-white pages. on January 2nd Actual price: USD $21,600.


43 total sales reported this week:

Potter and Potter Auctions. Golden Age and Pre-Code Horror: The Comic Book Collection of Stephen J. Farber on January 11th: 94.80%
PBA Galleries. Rare & Antiquarian: Fine Press, Fine Bindings, Illustrated Books on January 11th: 68.51%
New England Auctions. Antiques & Works of Art from Estates & Collections on January 11th: 100.00%
Lyon and Turnbull. The Ski Sale on January 11th: 79.01%
Los Angeles Estate Auction. Los Angeles Estate Auction on January 11th: 72.26%
Kestenbaum and Company. Fine Judaica: Rare Printed Books, Manuscripts, Autograph Letters, Graphic & Ceremonial Arts on January 11th: 53.63%
Forum Auctions. Fine Books, Manuscripts, and Works on Paper on January 11th: 80.51%
University Archives. Rare, Signed Manuscripts, Books, Photos and Relics on January 10th: 92.08%
Heritage Auctions. Star Wars Holiday Movie Posters Showcase Auction on January 10th: 95.48%
Rago Arts and Auctions. Prints and Multiples on January 10th: 71.37%
Tennants Auctioneers. Stamps, Postcards and Postal History on January 10th: 94.12%
Vermot de Pas. History and Regions of France: Manuscripts, Documents, Plates and Archives on January 10th: 15.92%
RR Auction. Fine Autographs and Artifacts - bidstart 12/15 on January 10th: 80.52%
New England Auctions. Fine Americana, Folk Art and Native American from estates and collections on January 10th: 100.00%
Lyon and Turnbull. Contemporary and Post-War Art // Prints and Multiples on January 10th: 52.67%
Heritage Auctions. Wednesday Trading Card Games Select Auction on January 10th: 92.25%
Heritage Auctions. Tuesday US Currency Select Auction on January 9th: 98.66%
Heritage Auctions. Depth of Field: Photographs Showcase Auction on January 10th: 78.57%
Heritage Auctions. Wednesday Comic Art and Animation Select Auction on January 10th: 98.81%
William H. Bunch Auctions and Appraisals. Eclectic Variety Auction on January 9th: 100.00%
New England Book Auctions. Fine Books and Ephemera List on January 9th: 98.67%
Bruun Rasmussen. Modern Art and Design - Prints on January 9th: 94.55%
One Source Auctions. 12TH ANNUAL POST NEW YEARS QUALITY ANTIQUES & COLECTIBLES ONLINE AUCTION on January 8th: 91.88%
Winner's Auctions Ltd. UNLIMITED Kaballa and Chassidut, ... on January 7th: 72.48%
Schilb Antiquarian. Rare Books with NO Reserve, NO Buyer's Premium on January 7th: 100.00%
Bearnes Hampton and Littlewood. Timed Auction: Books, Pictures, Ceramics, Silver, Collectors' Items etc. - bidstart 12/20 on January 7th: 64.66%
Morton Subastas. Discovery Auction on January 6th: 50.52%
EV Stamps. Sports and Comics Auction on January 6th: 84.09%
Tennants Auctioneers. Antiques and Interiors, to Include Affordable Modern and Contemporary Art on January 5th: 72.34%
Eldreds. Cabin Fever Auction - session 2 on January 5th: 73.68%
Purcell Auctioneers. Timed Auction - Antiquarian Books, Irish & World Literature and Poetry, ... on January 4th: 81.40%
PBA Galleries. Books in All Fields with Literature, Americana and Maps - Fine Press - bidstart 12/22 on January 4th: 97.12%
Catawiki B. V.. Old and Rare Books Auction (pre-1700) - bidstart 12/22 on January 3rd: 94.83%
Catawiki B. V.. Old and Rare Books Auction (pre-1700) - bidstart 12/22 on January 1st: 82.67%
Catawiki B. V.. Autographs and Manuscripts - bidstart 12/22 on December 31st: 85.48%
Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books. Fine Art - Antique Engravings & Lithographs - Works on Paper on January 6th: 97.13%
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Sports Collectibles Select Auction on December 24th: 97.94%
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Sports Collectibles Select Auction on January 7th: 99.12%
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Movie Posters Select Auction on January 7th: 91.84%
Heritage Auctions. Sunday, Monday & Tuesday Comic Books Select Auction on January 2nd: 99.61%
Heritage Auctions. Tuesday World Paper Money Select Auction on January 9th: 100.00%
Heritage Auctions. Sunday, Monday & Tuesday Comic Books Select Auction on January 9th: 99.67%
Christies. 10th Shanghai Auction Anniversary: 20th and 21st Centuries: Art Evening Sale on September 23rd: 100.00%


For the week ahead 39 sales are scheduled:

Mon. Jan. 15th
Hake's Auctions. York. Hake's January Auction. 1612 lots
Catawiki B. V.. LA Assen, . Old and Rare Books Auction (pre-1700) - bidstart 1/5. 92 lots

Tue. Jan. 16th
Bearnes Hampton and Littlewood. Exeter. The Winter Auction. 66 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Tuesday US Currency Select Auction. 488 lots
Bruun Rasmussen. Copenhagen. Modern Art and Design - Prints. 49 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Tuesday World Paper Money Select Auction. 207 lots
Rossini. Paris. Paintings, Posters, Lithographs, Works on Paper, and Scultures. 101 lots
Catawiki B. V.. LA Assen, . Autographs and Manuscripts - bidstart 1/9. 34 lots

Wed. Jan. 17th
Christies. New York. Fine Printed And Manuscript Americana. 153 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Wednesday Comic Art and Animation Select Auction. 451 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Wednesday Trading Card Games Select Auction. 109 lots
Gonnelli Casa DAste. Firenze. Books, Autographs and Manuscripts - bidstart 1/10. 85 lots
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers. Chicago. The Collected Home - bidstart 1/3. 14 lots
Catawiki B. V.. LA Assen, . Old and Rare Books Auction (pre-1700) - bidstart 5/26. 34 lots

Thu. Jan. 18th
Potter and Potter Auctions. Chicago. Printed Books and Manuscripts - Online Only. 483 lots
Thomson Roddick Auctioneers & Valuers. Carlisle. Antiquarian and Collectable Books. 314 lots
RR Auction. Amherst. Olympic Memorabilia - bidstart 12/15. 110 lots
Alexander Historical Auctions. Chesapeake City. Winter Autograph and Militaria Live Auction - Day 1. 575 lots
Christies. New York. Important Americana. 7 lots
Finarte. Milan. Photographs/Timed Auction. 300 lots
Leland Little Auctions. Hillsborough, NC. January Estate Auction. 25 lots
Nye & Company Auctioneers. Bloomfield. Discovery Auction. 116 lots
Rossini. Paris. Posters, Lithographs, Works on Paper. 510 lots

Fri. Jan. 19th
Bonhams. Los Angeles. Prints and Multiples - bidstart 1/9. 187 lots
De Baecque and Associes. Lyon. Old and Modern Books. 294 lots
Jeschke van Vliet Auctions Berlin GmbH. Berlin-Schoneberg. Selections. Rare Books, Prints, Historical Photography. 671 lots
Alexander Historical Auctions. Chesapeake City. Winter Autograph and Militaria Live Auction - Day 2. 689 lots
Sothebys. New York. Western Art and Design From Bar Cross Ranch, Wyoming. 11 lots

Sat. Jan. 20th
Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books. Franklin. Fine Art - Antique Engravings & Lithographs - Works on Paper. 175 lots
John McInnis Auctioneers. Amesbury. Wells, Maine Online Retirement Auction. 36 lots
Sothebys. New York. Important Americana: Furniture, Folk Art, Silver, Chinese Export Art and Prints. 7 lots
Sothebys. New York. Important Americana: Furniture, Folk Art, Silver, Chinese Export Art and Prints. 2 lots
Vermot de Pas. Paris. Movie Posters. 523 lots
Vogt Auction. San Antonio. The Texas Ranch Auction.
Catawiki B. V.. LA Assen, . Old and Rare Books Auction (pre-1700) - bidstart 1/12. 32 lots

Sun. Jan. 21st
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Sunday, Monday & Tuesday Comic Books Select Auction.
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Sunday Movie Posters Select Auction.
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Sunday Sports Collectibles Select Auction. 263 lots
Catawiki B. V.. LA Assen, . Autographs and Manuscripts - bidstart 1/12. 105 lots

Bruce McKinney

RBH and AE

  • 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…
  • Rare Book Hub is now mobile-friendly!
  • 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.