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Sydney Rare Book Auctions: Ion Idriess Archive

Auction Reports

Auction Name Ion Idriess Archive Total Sales (AUD) 17,335.50
Auction Date November 17, 2024 - November 17, 2024 Low Estimate of Lots Sold (AUD) 12,250.00
Sale Number #A134 High Estimate of Lots Sold (AUD) 14,960.00
Total Lots 164
Sold Lots 44 Low Estimate of All Lots (AUD) 75,670.00
% of Lots Sold 26.83% High Estimate of All Lots (AUD) 92,185.00
Unsold Lots 120 Total Sales as a % of High Est. 18.81%

Top twenty-five by sale price

Lot Number Author Name Book Title Year Published Estimate Actual Price
14

TYPED MANUSCRIPT OF LIGHTNING RIDGE (1940).

 AUD 3,600.00 - 4,400.00 AUD 3,810.00
93

RESEARCH MATERIALS FOR LIGHTNING RIDGE (1940).

 1940 AUD 350.00 - 450.00 AUD 2,540.00
117

NEW SOUTH WALES MINER'S RIGHT, ISSUED TO IDRIESS IN FEBRUARY 1919.

 1919 AUD 425.00 - 500.00 AUD 1,270.00
165

LETTER FROM IDRIESS TO JIM MOODY, A.I.F. RE HORRIE THE WOG DOG (1945). LETTER IS FROM 1943.

 1945, 1943 AUD 750.00 - 900.00 AUD 762.00
72

MANUSCRIPT MATERIALS ON PROSPECTING, CIRCA 1960.

 CIRCA 1960 AUD 250.00 - 300.00 AUD 571.50
34

COLLECTION OF DOCUMENTS AND LETTERS RELATING TO LASSETER'S GOLD REEF, MOSTLY 1933-1934.

 1933-1934. AUD 450.00 - 550.00 AUD 444.50
53

UNRECORDED POEM TITLED 'RHYMES OF RACING ROGUES BY ION L. IDRIESS', CIRCA 1941.

 1941 AUD 90.00 - 110.00 AUD 444.50
13

NINE LETTERS RELATING TO IDRIESS' BOOK ON NEW GUINEA, TITLED GOLD DUST AND ASHES (1933).

 AUD 350.00 - 450.00 AUD 381.00
22

ORIGINAL DESIGN BY IDRIESS FOR FRONT COVER OF OPALS & SAPPHIRES 1967.

 1967 AUD 80.00 - 90.00 AUD 381.00
71

FOUR CONTRACTS BETWEEN ANGUS & ROBERTSON AND ION IDRIESS, 1932-1964.

 1932-1964. AUD 350.00 - 450.00 AUD 381.00
73

CHINESE PEARLER AT BROOME, STORY DATED 1935.

 1935 AUD 400.00 - 500.00 AUD 381.00
106

LETTER TO IDRIESS FROM JAMES SCULLIN, 1937.

 1937 AUD 350.00 - 450.00 AUD 381.00
114

CORRESPONDENCE REGARDING MENTAL TELEPATHY IN THE TORRES STRAIT, 1943.

 1943 AUD 350.00 - 450.00 AUD 381.00
157

SHARK STORY FOR PUBLICATION IN A SOUTH AFRICAN NEWSPAPER, 1936.

 1936 AUD 350.00 - 450.00 AUD 381.00
153

STORY TITLED IN PREHISTORIC AUSTRALIA, CIRCA 1935.

 1935 AUD 300.00 - 350.00 AUD 349.25
138

ARTICLE WRITTEN FOR THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 1964.

 1964 AUD 150.00 - 180.00 AUD 285.75
168

LETTER FROM QUEENSLAND PROSPECTOR HERB PETERSEN, 1939.

 1939 AUD 250.00 - 300.00 AUD 254.00
57

EARLY POPULAR ARTICLES BY IDRIESS, MOSTLY BRISBANE MAIL AND DATED 1926-1929.

 1926-1929. AUD 80.00 - 90.00 AUD 241.30
129

THURSDAY ISLAND DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR, 1945.

 1945 AUD 150.00 - 180.00 AUD 241.30
94

SHORT STORY ABOUT MINERAL DISCOVERY IN NEW GUINEA, 1932.

 1932 AUD 225.00 - 275.00 AUD 228.60
84

LETTER FROM A FIRST WORLD WAR VETERAN, 1938.

 1938 AUD 150.00 - 180.00 AUD 203.20
145

LETTER CONCERNING LASSETER AND THE ABORIGINES, 1950.

 1950 AUD 150.00 - 180.00 AUD 190.50
32

NOTES AND CLIPPINGS ON SHEARING AND PIONEERING, CIRCA 1960.

 1960 AUD 180.00 - 225.00 AUD 177.80
41

DRAFT AMERICAN NEWSPAPER REVIEW OF LASSETER'S LAST RIDE (1931).

 AUD 180.00 - 225.00 AUD 177.80
121

PROSPECTING ARRANGEMENT FOR A COPPER RESERVE IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA, 1949.

 1949 AUD 180.00 - 225.00 AUD 177.80
  • <b>Koller, Mar. 26:</b> Wit, Frederick de. Atlas. Amsterdam, de Wit, [1680]. CHF 20,000 to 30,000 <b>Koller, Mar. 26:</b> Merian, Maria Sibylla. Der Raupen wunderbare Verwandelung, und sonderbare Blumennahrung. Nürnberg, 1679; Frankfurt a. M. und Leipzig, 1683. CHF 20,000 to 30,000 <b>Koller, Mar. 26:</b> GOETHE, JOHANN WOLFGANG VON. Faust. Ein Fragment. Von Goethe. Ächte Ausgabe. Leipzig, G. J. Göschen, 1790. CHF 7,000 to 10,000 <b>Koller, Mar. 26:</b> Hieronymus. [Das hochwirdig leben der außerwoelten freünde gotes der heiligen altuaeter]. Augsburg, Johann Schönsperger d. Ä., 9. Juni 1497. CHF 40,000 to 60,000. <b>Koller, Mar. 26:</b> BIBLIA GERMANICA - Neunte deutsche Bibel. Nürnberg, A. Koberger, 17. Feb. 1483. CHF 40,000 to 60,000 <b>Koller, Mar. 26:</b> HORAE B.M.V. - Stundenbuch. Lateinische Handschrift auf Pergament, Kalendarium französisch. Nordfrankreich (Rouen?). CHF 25,000 to 40,000
    Koller, Mar. 26: Wit, Frederick de. Atlas. Amsterdam, de Wit, [1680]. CHF 20,000 to 30,000
    Koller, Mar. 26: Merian, Maria Sibylla. Der Raupen wunderbare Verwandelung, und sonderbare Blumennahrung. Nürnberg, 1679; Frankfurt a. M. und Leipzig, 1683. CHF 20,000 to 30,000
    Koller, Mar. 26: GOETHE, JOHANN WOLFGANG VON. Faust. Ein Fragment. Von Goethe. Ächte Ausgabe. Leipzig, G. J. Göschen, 1790. CHF 7,000 to 10,000
    Koller, Mar. 26: Hieronymus. [Das hochwirdig leben der außerwoelten freünde gotes der heiligen altuaeter]. Augsburg, Johann Schönsperger d. Ä., 9. Juni 1497. CHF 40,000 to 60,000.
    Koller, Mar. 26: BIBLIA GERMANICA - Neunte deutsche Bibel. Nürnberg, A. Koberger, 17. Feb. 1483. CHF 40,000 to 60,000
    Koller, Mar. 26: HORAE B.M.V. - Stundenbuch. Lateinische Handschrift auf Pergament, Kalendarium französisch. Nordfrankreich (Rouen?). CHF 25,000 to 40,000
  • <b><center>Forum Auctions<br>Fine Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper<br>27th March 2025</center></b> <b>Forum, Mar. 27:</b> Dürer (Albrecht) <i>Hierin sind begriffen vier bücher von menschlicher Proportion,</i> 4 parts in 1, first edition, Nuremberg, Hieronymus Andreae for Agnes Dürer, 1528. £30,000 to £40,000. <b>Forum, Mar. 27:</b> Book of Hours, Use of Rome, illuminated manuscript in Latin, on vellum, 26 fine hand-painted miniatures, 17th century dark brown morocco, [Lyon], [c. 1475 and later c. 1490-1500]. £25,000 to £35,000. <b>Forum, Mar. 27:</b> Brontë (Emily) <i>The North Wind,</i> watercolour, [1842]. £15,000 to £20,000. <b>Forum, Mar. 27:</b> Titanic.- Mudd (Thomas Cupper, one of the youngest victims of the sinking of the Titanic, 1895-1912) Autograph Letter signed on board RMS Titanic to his mother, April 11th 1912. £20,000 to £30,000. <b><center>Forum Auctions<br>Fine Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper<br>27th March 2025</center></b> <b>Forum, Mar. 27:</b> [Austen (Jane)] <i>Emma: A Novel,</i> 3 vol., first edition, for John Murray, 1816. £10,000 to £15,000. <b>Forum, Mar. 27:</b> Picasso (Pablo).- Ovid. <i>Les Metamorphoses,</i> one of 95 copies, signed by the artist, Lausanne, Albert Skira, 1931. £10,000 to £15,000. <b>Forum, Mar. 27:</b> America.- Ogilby (John) <i>America: Being the Latest, and Most Accurate Description of the New World...,</i> all maps with vibrant hand-colouring in outline, probably by an early hand, 1671. £15,000 to £25,000. <b>Forum, Mar. 27:</b> Iceland.- Geological exploration.- Bright (Dr. Richard )and Edward Bird. Collection of twenty original drawings from travels in Iceland with Henry Holland and George Mackenzie, watercolours, [1810]. £20,000 to £30,000.
    Forum Auctions
    Fine Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper
    27th March 2025
    Forum, Mar. 27: Dürer (Albrecht) Hierin sind begriffen vier bücher von menschlicher Proportion, 4 parts in 1, first edition, Nuremberg, Hieronymus Andreae for Agnes Dürer, 1528. £30,000 to £40,000.
    Forum, Mar. 27: Book of Hours, Use of Rome, illuminated manuscript in Latin, on vellum, 26 fine hand-painted miniatures, 17th century dark brown morocco, [Lyon], [c. 1475 and later c. 1490-1500]. £25,000 to £35,000.
    Forum, Mar. 27: Brontë (Emily) The North Wind, watercolour, [1842]. £15,000 to £20,000.
    Forum, Mar. 27: Titanic.- Mudd (Thomas Cupper, one of the youngest victims of the sinking of the Titanic, 1895-1912) Autograph Letter signed on board RMS Titanic to his mother, April 11th 1912. £20,000 to £30,000.
    Forum Auctions
    Fine Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper
    27th March 2025
    Forum, Mar. 27: [Austen (Jane)] Emma: A Novel, 3 vol., first edition, for John Murray, 1816. £10,000 to £15,000.
    Forum, Mar. 27: Picasso (Pablo).- Ovid. Les Metamorphoses, one of 95 copies, signed by the artist, Lausanne, Albert Skira, 1931. £10,000 to £15,000.
    Forum, Mar. 27: America.- Ogilby (John) America: Being the Latest, and Most Accurate Description of the New World..., all maps with vibrant hand-colouring in outline, probably by an early hand, 1671. £15,000 to £25,000.
    Forum, Mar. 27: Iceland.- Geological exploration.- Bright (Dr. Richard )and Edward Bird. Collection of twenty original drawings from travels in Iceland with Henry Holland and George Mackenzie, watercolours, [1810]. £20,000 to £30,000.
  • <b><center>Forum Auctions<br>The Library of Barry Humphries<br>26th March 2025</center></b> <b>Forum, Mar. 26:</b> Beckford (William) [Vathek] <i>An Arabian Tale,</i> first (but unauthorised) edition, Lady Caroline Lamb's copy with her signature and notes, 1786. £2,000 to £3,000. <b>Forum, Mar. 26:</b> Baudelaire (Charles) <i>Les Fleurs du Mal,</i> first edition containing the 6 suppressed poems, first issue, contemporary half black morocco, Paris, 1857. £4,000 to £6,000. <b>Forum, Mar. 26:</b> Beardsley (Aubrey).- Pope (Alexander) <i>The Rape of the Lock,</i> one of 25 copies on Japanese vellum, Leonard Smithers, 1896. £4,000 to £6,000. <b>Forum, Mar. 26:</b> Douglas (Lord Alfred) <i>Sonnets,</i> first edition, the dedication copy, with signed presentation inscription from the author to his wife Olive Custance, The Academy, 1909. £2,000 to £3,000. <b><center>Forum Auctions<br>The Library of Barry Humphries<br>26th March 2025</center></b> <b>Forum, Mar. 26:</b> Crowley (Aleister) <i>The Works...,</i> 3 vol. in 1 (as issued)"Essay Competition" issue on India paper, signed presentation inscription from the author, 1905-07. £1,500 to £2,000. <b>Forum, Mar. 26:</b> Rodin (Auguste).- Mirbeau (Octave) <i>Le Jardin des Supplices,</i> one of 30 copies on chine with an additional suite, bound in dark purple goatskin, Paris, 1902. £3,000 to £4,000. <b>Forum, Mar. 26:</b> Pellar (Hans) Eight original book illustrations for 'Der verliebte Flamingo' [together with] a published copy of the first edition of the book, 1923. £6,000 to £8,000. <b>Forum, Mar. 26:</b> Cretté (Georges, binder).- Louÿs (Pierre) <i>Les Aventures du Roi Pausole,</i> 2 vol., one of 99 copies, with 2 original drawings, superbly bound in blue goatskin, gilt, Paris, 1930. £3,000 to £4,000.
    Forum Auctions
    The Library of Barry Humphries
    26th March 2025
    Forum, Mar. 26: Beckford (William) [Vathek] An Arabian Tale, first (but unauthorised) edition, Lady Caroline Lamb's copy with her signature and notes, 1786. £2,000 to £3,000.
    Forum, Mar. 26: Baudelaire (Charles) Les Fleurs du Mal, first edition containing the 6 suppressed poems, first issue, contemporary half black morocco, Paris, 1857. £4,000 to £6,000.
    Forum, Mar. 26: Beardsley (Aubrey).- Pope (Alexander) The Rape of the Lock, one of 25 copies on Japanese vellum, Leonard Smithers, 1896. £4,000 to £6,000.
    Forum, Mar. 26: Douglas (Lord Alfred) Sonnets, first edition, the dedication copy, with signed presentation inscription from the author to his wife Olive Custance, The Academy, 1909. £2,000 to £3,000.
    Forum Auctions
    The Library of Barry Humphries
    26th March 2025
    Forum, Mar. 26: Crowley (Aleister) The Works..., 3 vol. in 1 (as issued)"Essay Competition" issue on India paper, signed presentation inscription from the author, 1905-07. £1,500 to £2,000.
    Forum, Mar. 26: Rodin (Auguste).- Mirbeau (Octave) Le Jardin des Supplices, one of 30 copies on chine with an additional suite, bound in dark purple goatskin, Paris, 1902. £3,000 to £4,000.
    Forum, Mar. 26: Pellar (Hans) Eight original book illustrations for 'Der verliebte Flamingo' [together with] a published copy of the first edition of the book, 1923. £6,000 to £8,000.
    Forum, Mar. 26: Cretté (Georges, binder).- Louÿs (Pierre) Les Aventures du Roi Pausole, 2 vol., one of 99 copies, with 2 original drawings, superbly bound in blue goatskin, gilt, Paris, 1930. £3,000 to £4,000.
  • <b><center>Sotheby's<BR>Sell Your Fine Books & Manuscripts</center></b> <b>Sotheby’s:</b> The Shem Tov Bible, 1312 | A Masterpiece from the Golden Age of Spain. Sold: 6,960,000 USD <b>Sotheby’s:</b> Ten Commandments Tablet, 300-800 CE | One of humanity's earliest and most enduring moral codes. Sold: 5,040,000 USD <b>Sotheby’s:</b> William Blake | <i>Songs of Innocence and of Experience.</i> Sold: 4,320,000 USD <b>Sotheby’s:</b> The Declaration of Independence | The Holt printing, the only copy in private hands. Sold: 3,360,000 USD <b><center>Sotheby's<BR>Sell Your Fine Books & Manuscripts</center></b> <b>Sotheby’s:</b> Thomas Taylor | The original cover art for <i>Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.</i> Sold: 1,920,000 USD <b>Sotheby’s:</b> Machiavelli | <i>Il Principe,</i> a previously unrecorded copy of the book where modern political thought began. Sold: 576,000 GBP <b>Sotheby’s:</b> Leonardo da Vinci | <i>Trattato della pittura,</i> ca. 1639, a very fine pre-publication manuscript. Sold: 381,000 GBP <b>Sotheby’s:</b> Henri Matisse | <i>Jazz,</i> Paris 1947, the complete portfolio. Sold: 312,000 EUR
    Sotheby's
    Sell Your Fine Books & Manuscripts
    Sotheby’s: The Shem Tov Bible, 1312 | A Masterpiece from the Golden Age of Spain. Sold: 6,960,000 USD
    Sotheby’s: Ten Commandments Tablet, 300-800 CE | One of humanity's earliest and most enduring moral codes. Sold: 5,040,000 USD
    Sotheby’s: William Blake | Songs of Innocence and of Experience. Sold: 4,320,000 USD
    Sotheby’s: The Declaration of Independence | The Holt printing, the only copy in private hands. Sold: 3,360,000 USD
    Sotheby's
    Sell Your Fine Books & Manuscripts
    Sotheby’s: Thomas Taylor | The original cover art for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Sold: 1,920,000 USD
    Sotheby’s: Machiavelli | Il Principe, a previously unrecorded copy of the book where modern political thought began. Sold: 576,000 GBP
    Sotheby’s: Leonardo da Vinci | Trattato della pittura, ca. 1639, a very fine pre-publication manuscript. Sold: 381,000 GBP
    Sotheby’s: Henri Matisse | Jazz, Paris 1947, the complete portfolio. Sold: 312,000 EUR
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