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Bonhams: Travel and Exploration

Auction Reports

Auction Name Travel and Exploration Total Sales (GBP) 160,294.40
Auction Date December 11, 2024 - December 11, 2024 Low Estimate of Lots Sold (GBP) 113,000.00
Sale Number #29375 High Estimate of Lots Sold (GBP) 164,300.00
Total Lots 70
Sold Lots 59 Low Estimate of All Lots (GBP) 142,800.00
% of Lots Sold 84.29% High Estimate of All Lots (GBP) 208,100.00
Unsold Lots 11 Total Sales as a % of High Est. 77.03%

Top twenty-five by sale price

Lot Number Author Name Book Title Year Published Estimate Actual Price
144 ROBERTS (DAVID)

The Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt & Nubia From Drawings Made on the Spot by David Roberts, With Historical Descriptions by the Revd George Croly, 6 vol. bound in 4,

1842-1849 GBP 25,000.00 - 30,000.00 GBP 30,720.00
184 CAZABON (MICHEL JEAN)

Views of Trinidad,

1851 GBP 15,000.00 - 20,000.00 GBP 19,200.00
1 SPILBERGEN (JORIS VAN)

Speculum orientalis occidentalisque Indiae navigationum,

1619 GBP 8,000.00 - 12,000.00 GBP 10,240.00
186 SLOANE (HANS)

A Voyage to the Islands Madera, Barbados, Nieves, S. Christophers and Jamaica, with the Natural History of the Herbs and Trees, Four-footed Beasts, Fishes, Birds, Insects, Reptiles, 2 vol.,

1707-1725 GBP 7,000.00 - 10,000.00 GBP 8,320.00
204 SCOTT (ROBERT FALCON)

Autograph letter signed, to Rev. Rosslyn Bruce, regarding his marriage, and 4 other associated letters (5)

GBP 800.00 - 1,200.00 GBP 5,376.00
107 LUARD (JOHN)

Views in India, Saint Helena and Car Nicobar Drawn from Nature on Stone

c.1832-38] GBP 2,000.00 - 3,000.00 GBP 4,864.00
156 BELZONI (GIOVANNI BATTISTA)

Plates Illustrative of the Researches and Operations... in Egypt and Nubia, Atlas vol. only,

1820-1822 GBP 3,000.00 - 5,000.00 GBP 4,608.00
203 OATES (LAWRENCE 'TITUS')

Autograph letter signed, days prior to his departure on the , 10 June [19]10

[19]10 GBP 2,000.00 - 3,000.00 GBP 3,840.00
214A PONTING (HERBERT GEORGE)

"The 'Terra Nova' in McMurdo Sound", SIGNED BY THE PHOTOGRAPHER, [January, 1911]

1911 GBP 2,000.00 - 4,000.00 GBP 3,840.00
220 MURRAY (JAMES) AND GEORGE MARSTON

Antarctic Days. Sketches of the homely side of Polar life by two of Shackleton's men,

1913 GBP 3,000.00 - 5,000.00 GBP 3,584.00
206 SCOTT (ROBERT FALCON)

Typed letter signed, to B.H. Keall of Kirton Grammar School; with signed receipt, February 1910 (2)

1910 GBP 1,000.00 - 2,000.00 GBP 3,328.00
122 STRETTON (WILLIAM GEORGE, )

15 views of Calcutta, and one of the Golden Temple at Amritsar, etc. (small quantity)

GBP 500.00 - 700.00 GBP 3,072.00
213 PONTING (HERBERT)

"The 'Terra Nova' at the Ice Foot, Cape Evans", [16 January, 1911]

1911 GBP 2,000.00 - 4,000.00 GBP 3,072.00
136 BURNES (ALEXANDER)

Travels into Bokhara, 3 vol., 1934; Cabool:; Being a personal narrative, 1842, FIRST EDITIONS(4)

1934, 1842 GBP 1,000.00 - 1,500.00 GBP 2,816.00
212 BRITISH NATIONAL ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION, 1901-1904

Album of Photographs and Sketches with a Portfolio of Panoramic Views, 2 vol.,

1908 (2) GBP 2,000.00 - 3,000.00 GBP 2,816.00
197 ARCTIC EXPLORERS

Group of correspondence relating to Arctic explorers, including Franklin, John and James Ross, Parry, Back, McLintock, and others (12)

GBP 2,000.00 - 3,000.00 GBP 2,560.00
202 ROYDS (CHARLES)

Autograph letter signed, to Admiral Markham, giving a report on the performance of the Discovery, Lyttleton, New Zealand, 10 December [19]01

10 December [19]01 GBP 2,000.00 - 3,000.00 GBP 2,560.00
208 STONE (BERNARD J.)

Autograph letter signed ("Bern... Antarctic Explorer 'I don't think so'"), "S.Y. Terra Nova, Antarctic", 24 January [19]13; with envelope (2)

[19]13 GBP 2,000.00 - 3,000.00 GBP 2,560.00
214 PONTING (HERBERT)

"Grotto in an Iceberg", [5 January 1911]

1911 GBP 2,000.00 - 4,000.00 GBP 2,560.00
215 PONTING (HERBERT)

"An Iceberg off Cape Royds", [13 February 1911]

1911 GBP 2,000.00 - 4,000.00 GBP 2,560.00
110 Thomas Daniell, RA

A Pavilion, belonging to a Hindoo Temple',

1808 GBP 600.00 - 800.00 GBP 2,304.00
139 [WILSON (ARNOLD TALBOT)]

A Sketch of the Political History of Persia, Iraq and Arabia, with Special Reference to the Personal Campaign. Office of the Chief Political Officer I. E. F. "D.". For Official Use Only,

1917 GBP 1,000.00 - 1,500.00 GBP 2,176.00
173 ORME (EDWARD, publisher)

A Collection of Portraits of the Savage Tribes Inhabiting the Boundaries of the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope,

1822 GBP 2,000.00 - 4,000.00 GBP 2,176.00
207 SCOTT (ROBERT FALCON)

Autograph letter signed, 12 June [1910]; with photographic postcard

1910 GBP 1,500.00 - 2,500.00 GBP 2,048.00
176 ROUPELL (ARABELLA E.)]

Specimens of the Flora of South Africa by a Lady,

1849] GBP 2,000.00 - 3,000.00 GBP 1,920.00
  • 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.
  • 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
  • Swann
    Printed & Manuscript African Americana
    March 20, 2025
    Swann, Mar. 20: Lot 7: Thomas Fisher, The Negro's Memorial or Abolitionist's Catechism, London, 1825. $6,000 to $9,000.
    Swann, Mar. 20: Lot 78: Victor H. Green, The Negro Travelers' Green Book, New York, 1958. $20,000 to $30,000.
    Swann, Mar. 20: Lot 99: Rosa Parks, Hand-written recollection of her first meeting with Martin Luther King Jr., autograph manuscript, Detroit, c. 1990s. $30,000 to $40,000.
    Swann, Mar. 20: Lot 154: Frederick Douglass, Autograph statement on voting rights, signed manuscript, 1866. $20,000 to $30,000.
    Swann, Mar. 20: Lot 164: W.E.B. Du Bois, What the Negro Has Done for the United States and Texas, Washington, circa 1936. $3,000 to $4,000.
    Swann
    Printed & Manuscript African Americana
    March 20, 2025
    Swann, Mar. 20: Lot 263: Susan Paul, Memoir of James Jackson, Boston, 1835. $6,000 to $9,000.
    Swann, Mar. 20: Lot 267: Langston Hughes, Gypsy Ballads, signed translation of García Lorca's poetry, Madrid, 1937. $1,500 to $2,500.
    Swann, Mar. 20: Lot 274: Malcolm X, Collection from Alex Haley's estate, 38 items, 1963-1971. $4,000 to $6,000.
    Swann, Mar. 20: Lot 367: Solomon Northup, Twelve Years a Slave, Auburn, NY, 1853. $2,500 to $3,500.
    Swann, Mar. 20: Lot 402: Anna Julia Cooper, A Voice from the South, Xenia, OH, 1892. $2,000 to $3,000.
  • 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
  • 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.
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