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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 -
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: 42 Auctions Archived, another 41 Upcoming this Week
For the week ended Friday 26 January, 42 auctions were archived to Rare Book Hub’s Transactions+ database; 1 denominated in Danish krone, 8 in euros, 5 in British pounds, 1 in Mexican pesos, and 27 in US dollars.
Turnover was $4,978,916.46 as 81.03% of all lots changed hands. The average lot sold for $710.46.
The ABAA book fair at San Francisco opens on February 9th! Be there.
11 auctions saw total sales exceed 100% of the high estimates of all lots offered:
Stair Auctioneers and Appraisers. The Collection of Ann and Gordon Getty on January 25th: 200.62%
Artcurial. HISTORICAL MEMORIES Collection and Library of the Counts of Marcellus, the Dukes of Abrantès & various others on January 24th: 173.17%
Nye & Company Auctioneers. Collectors' Passion on January 25th: 147.95%
Catawiki B. V.. Old and Rare Books Auction (pre-1700) - bidstart 5/26 on January 17th: 135.33%
Hansons. The January Derbyshire Specialist Diecast, Model Railway & Collectable Toys Auction: To Include a Single-Owner Collection of Pokemon Cards on January 25th: 131.55%
Doyle New York. OLD MASTER & 19TH CENTURY PAINTINGS, DRAWINGS & PRINTS / ENGLISH & CONTINENTAL DECORATIVE ARTS on January 25th: 119.06%
Catawiki B. V.. Autographs and Manuscripts - bidstart 1/5 on January 14th: 112.21%
Christies. Important Americana on January 19th: 108.17%
Forum Auctions. Fine Books, Manuscripts, and Works on Paper on January 25th: 106.23%
Keys Fine Arts Auctioneers. Pop Culture, Music, Film and Sporting Memorabilia on January 24th: 106.01%
Vogt Auction. The Texas Ranch Sale on January 20th: 102.32%
28 sales saw at least 80% of their lots sell:
Stair Auctioneers and Appraisers. The Collection of Ann and Gordon Getty on January 25th: 100.00%
Revere Auctions. Visual Splendor: Decorative Arts and Photography on January 24th: 100.00%
Heritage Auctions. Tuesday US Currency Select Auction on January 23rd: 100.00%
John McInnis Auctioneers. Wells, Maine Online Retirement Auction on January 20th: 100.00%
Vogt Auction. The Texas Ranch Sale on January 20th: 100.00%
Christies. Important Americana on January 19th: 100.00%
Heritage Auctions. Tuesday World Paper Money Select Auction on January 23rd: 100.00%
Heritage Auctions. Wednesday Comic Art and Animation Select Auction on January 24th: 99.74%
Heritage Auctions. Sunday, Monday & Tuesday Comic Books Select Auction on January 23rd: 99.62%
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Sports Collectibles Select Auction on January 21st: 98.48%
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Movie Posters Select Auction on January 21st: 97.54%
Hansons. The January Derbyshire Specialist Diecast, Model Railway & Collectable Toys Auction: To Include a Single-Owner Collection of Pokemon Cards on January 25th: 95.92%
Artcurial. HISTORICAL MEMORIES Collection and Library of the Counts of Marcellus, the Dukes of Abrantès & various others on January 24th: 93.75%
Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books. Fine Art - Antique Engravings & Lithographs - Works on Paper on January 20th: 93.71%
Heritage Auctions. Wednesday Trading Card Games Select Auction on January 24th: 92.38%
One Source Auctions. Quality Antiques and Collectibles Online Auction on January 22nd: 92.05%
Catawiki B. V.. Autographs and Manuscripts - bidstart 1/5 on January 14th: 91.07%
Swann Galleries. The Artists of the WPA on January 25th: 90.76%
Bruun Rasmussen. Modern Art and Design - Prints on January 23rd: 89.02%
Catawiki B. V.. Old and Rare Books Auction (pre-1700) - bidstart 5/26 on January 17th: 88.24%
Catawiki B. V.. Old and Rare Books Auction (pre-1700) - bidstart 1/5 on January 15th: 88.04%
Nye & Company Auctioneers. Collectors' Passion on January 24th: 87.69%
Revere Auctions. January Jewels: Fine Art and Luxury Goods on January 23rd: 86.96%
Keys Fine Arts Auctioneers. Pop Culture, Music, Film and Sporting Memorabilia on January 24th: 85.00%
One Of A Kind Collectibles. Rare Autograph and Book Auction on January 25th: 84.71%
Tooveys. Prints, Maps and Posters on January 24th: 83.54%
Doyle New York. OLD MASTER & 19TH CENTURY PAINTINGS, DRAWINGS & PRINTS / ENGLISH & CONTINENTAL DECORATIVE ARTS on January 25th: 83.33%
Trafford Books. Books, Documents & Ephemera, Autographs, Photographs, Cigarette & Trade cards, Postcards, Banknotes, Stamps and Postal History. on January 24th: 80.84%
42 total sales reported this week:
Swann Galleries. The Artists of the WPA on January 25th: 90.76%
Holabird Western Americana Collections. "Marvels of the West" - Day 1 on January 25th: 53.54%
PBA Galleries. Fine Literature - Beats, and the Counterculture on January 25th: 79.45%
One Of A Kind Collectibles. Rare Autograph and Book Auction on January 25th: 84.71%
Hansons. The January Derbyshire Specialist Diecast, Model Railway & Collectable Toys Auction: To Include a Single-Owner Collection of Pokemon Cards on January 25th: 95.92%
Forum Auctions. Fine Books, Manuscripts, and Works on Paper on January 25th: 78.30%
Doyle New York. OLD MASTER & 19TH CENTURY PAINTINGS, DRAWINGS & PRINTS / ENGLISH & CONTINENTAL DECORATIVE ARTS on January 25th: 83.33%
Dorotheum . Photography on January 25th: 65.67%
AntiquarianAuctions.com. Rare Books - bidstart 1/18 on January 25th: 29.94%
Nye & Company Auctioneers. Collectors' Passion on January 25th: 65.22%
Nye & Company Auctioneers. Collectors' Passion on January 24th: 87.69%
Stair Auctioneers and Appraisers. The Collection of Ann and Gordon Getty on January 25th: 100.00%
Trafford Books. Books, Documents & Ephemera, Autographs, Photographs, Cigarette & Trade cards, Postcards, Banknotes, Stamps and Postal History. on January 24th: 80.84%
Tooveys. Prints, Maps and Posters on January 24th: 83.54%
Revere Auctions. Visual Splendor: Decorative Arts and Photography on January 24th: 100.00%
Purcell Auctioneers. c.670 Lots to include a Collection of Signed First & Rare Editions on January 24th: 71.17%
Keys Fine Arts Auctioneers. Pop Culture, Music, Film and Sporting Memorabilia on January 24th: 85.00%
Artcurial. HISTORICAL MEMORIES Collection and Library of the Counts of Marcellus, the Dukes of Abrantès & various others on January 24th: 93.75%
Heritage Auctions. Wednesday Trading Card Games Select Auction on January 24th: 92.38%
Heritage Auctions. Wednesday Comic Art and Animation Select Auction on January 24th: 99.74%
Heritage Auctions. Tuesday US Currency Select Auction on January 23rd: 100.00%
Clars Auction Gallery. Art Within Reach on January 22nd: 55.56%
Sothebys. Important Americana: Furniture, Folk Art, Silver, Chinese Export Art and Prints on January 20th: 57.14%
Sarasota Estate Auction. Day 2- Colossal Fine Art, Chinese, & Antiques on January 21st: 72.41%
Sarasota Estate Auction. Day 1- Rare Books, Fine Art, Silver & Jewelry on January 20th: 74.16%
John McInnis Auctioneers. Wells, Maine Online Retirement Auction on January 20th: 100.00%
Revere Auctions. January Jewels: Fine Art and Luxury Goods on January 23rd: 86.96%
Vogt Auction. The Texas Ranch Sale on January 20th: 100.00%
Morton Subastas. Discovery Auction on January 20th: 42.05%
One Source Auctions. Quality Antiques and Collectibles Online Auction on January 22nd: 92.05%
Bruun Rasmussen. Modern Art and Design - Prints on January 23rd: 89.02%
Jeschke van Vliet Auctions Berlin GmbH. Selections. Rare Books, Prints, Historical Photography on January 20th: 42.62%
Christies. Important Americana on January 19th: 100.00%
Catawiki B. V.. Autographs and Manuscripts - bidstart 1/9 on January 16th: 38.24%
Catawiki B. V.. Old and Rare Books Auction (pre-1700) - bidstart 5/26 on January 17th: 88.24%
Catawiki B. V.. Old and Rare Books Auction (pre-1700) - bidstart 1/5 on January 15th: 88.04%
Catawiki B. V.. Autographs and Manuscripts - bidstart 1/5 on January 14th: 91.07%
Heritage Auctions. Tuesday World Paper Money Select Auction on January 23rd: 100.00%
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Sports Collectibles Select Auction on January 21st: 98.48%
Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books. Fine Art - Antique Engravings & Lithographs - Works on Paper on January 20th: 93.71%
Heritage Auctions. Sunday, Monday & Tuesday Comic Books Select Auction on January 23rd: 99.62%
Heritage Auctions. Sunday Movie Posters Select Auction on January 21st: 97.54%
For the week ahead 41 sales are scheduled:
Mon. Jan. 29th
Sothebys. New York. Fine Manuscripts and Printed Americana.
Catawiki B. V.. LA Assen, . Old and Rare Books Auction (pre-1700) - bidstart 1/19. 71 lots
Tue. Jan. 30th
ALDE. Paris. Old Books and the 19th Century. 178 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Tuesday US Currency Select Auction. 460 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Tuesday World Paper Money Select Auction. 232 lots
Morton Subastas. México DF CP 11000. Books to Start a Collection. 260 lots
New England Book Auctions. South Deerfield. The Veatchs Fine Press, Bindings and Book Arts Cat. 239 lots
Forum Auctions. London. Only Banksy. 12 lots
Bruun Rasmussen. Copenhagen. Modern Art and Design - Prints. 47 lots
Ader. PARIS. Photography Books Online 1/19. 151 lots
Wed. Jan. 31st
Dominic Winter Book Auctions. Gloucestershire. The Library of the Late Christopher Foyle of Beeleigh Abbey (Part II). 321 lots
Forum Auctions. London. A fifth selection of 16th and 17th Century English Books from the Fox Pointe Manor Library. 338 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Wednesday Comic Art and Animation Select Auction. 378 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Wednesday Trading Card Games Select Auction. 99 lots
ALDE. Paris. Old Books and the 19th Century - Part 2, online bidstart 1/2. 240 lots
Bogota Auction. Bogota. Antique Books, Documents, and Engravings - Online bidstart 12/19. 233 lots
Bonhams. Marlborough. Prints and Photographs - bidstart 1/21. 195 lots
Bonhams. London. The Library of the late Robin de Beaumont - bidstart 1/22. 189 lots
Litchfield County Auctions. Litchfield. Advertising and More. 122 lots
The Book Merchant Jenkins. West End. Antiquarian Bookseller's Moving Sale - Part 2. 339 lots
Catawiki B. V.. LA Assen, . Old and Rare Books Auction (pre-1700) - bidstart 1/19. 42 lots
Thu. Feb. 1st
De Baecque and Associes. Lyon. Old and Modern Books. 356 lots
Bonhams. London. Vintage Posters - Bidstart 1/25. 236 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. The Voices and Illustrators of Trading Card Games Showcase Auction. 180 lots
Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Pulp Magazine Showcase Auction. 264 lots
Bonhams. Marlborough. Fine Books and Rare Manuscripts - bidstart 1/22. 344 lots
Doyle New York. New York. Fine Art Including Surrealism. 47 lots
Fri. Feb. 2nd
Christies. New York. Fine Printed Books and Manuscripts, including Americana - bidstart 1/17. 218 lots
Giquello. rue La Boetie, Paris. JULIEN BOGOUSSLAVSKY COLLECTION. 112 lots
Leland Little Auctions. Hillsborough, NC. Prints and Multiples. 95 lots
Sothebys. New York. The One. 3 lots
Sat. Feb. 3rd
Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books. Franklin. Fine Art - Antique Engravings & Lithographs - Works on Paper. 170 lots
Artcurial. Paris. Racing, Flying and Yachting. 64 lots
EV Stamps. Richmond. Sports Cards and Comic Books Auction. 141 lots
Sun. Feb. 4th
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. 289 lots
Catawiki B. V.. LA Assen, . French Literature and Illustrated - bidstart 1/19. 44 lots
Vermot de Pas. Paris. Collection of Photography Books.
Catawiki B. V.. LA Assen, . Art and Photography Books - bidstart 1/26. 19 lots
Catawiki B. V.. LA Assen, . Autographs and Manuscripts - bidstart 1/26. 80 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 -
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.