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Art + Object: Rare Books

Auction Reports

Auction Name Rare Books Total Sales (NZD) 143,817.00
Auction Date September 09, 2025 - September 09, 2025 Low Estimate of Lots Sold (NZD) 101,715.00
Sale Number #208 High Estimate of Lots Sold (NZD) 151,440.00
Total Lots 458
Sold Lots 391.0 Low Estimate of All Lots (NZD) 137,630.00
% of Lots Sold 85.37% High Estimate of All Lots (NZD) 199,875.00
Unsold Lots 67 Total Sales as a % of High Est. 71.95%

Top twenty-five by sale price

Lot Number Author Name Book Title Year Published Estimate Actual Price
105 WAKEFIELD, EDWARD JERNINGHAM

[2 Volumes & Folio] Illustrations to Adventure in New Zealand...

 1845 NZD 6,000.00 - 8,000.00 NZD 12,300.00
281 COOK, CAPTAIN JAMES

A set of the Accounts of the Voyages...

 1773 NZD 10,000.00 - 15,000.00 NZD 12,300.00
332

ATLAS L'ASTROLABE Voyage de la corvette L'Astrolabe execute Pendant Les Annees 1826, 1827, 1828, 1829

 1833 NZD 8,000.00 - 9,000.00 NZD 11,685.00
299 JOHN BUCHANAN [1819-1898]

BOTANIST & ARTIST

 NZD 2,000.00 - 3,000.00 NZD 9,840.00
345 PONTING, HERBERT GEORGE (1871-1935)

Midnight in Antarctic Summer 1910...

 NZD 1,000.00 - 2,000.00 NZD 5,043.00
290 PARKINSON, SYDNEY

A Journal of a Voyage to the South Seas in His Majesty's Ship 'The Endeavour': faithfully transcribed from the Papers of the late Sydney Parkinson, Draughtsman to Sir Joseph Banks

 1784 NZD 4,000.00 - 6,000.00 NZD 3,198.00
305 BULLER, SIR WALTER LAWRY

A History of the Birds of New Zealand

 1888 NZD 1,500.00 - 2,000.00 NZD 2,952.00
307 BULLER, SIR WALTER LAWRY

A History of the Birds of New Zealand

 1888 NZD 600.00 - 800.00 NZD 2,276.00
306 BULLER, SIR WALTER LAWRY

A History of the Birds of New Zealand

 1888 NZD 800.00 - 1,000.00 NZD 1,907.00
156 HAMBLY, W.D.

The History of Tattooing and its Significance

 1925 NZD 1,500.00 - 2,000.00 NZD 1,784.00
365

PHOTOGRAPH The New Zealand All Blacks 1928

 NZD 1,500.00 - 2,000.00 NZD 1,784.00
342 FORD. C. REGINALD

Antarctica. Leaves from a diary kept on board an exploring vessel.

 [1908] NZD 600.00 - 800.00 NZD 1,538.00
300 JOSEPH CROSBY SMITH

Shipboard Diary of the voyage of the clipper 'Calypso', England to Port Chalmers in 1876

 NZD 1,500.00 - 2,000.00 NZD 1,230.00
308 BULLER, SIR WALTER LAWRY

[2 items] Manual of the Birds of New Zealand...

 1882 NZD 300.00 - 400.00 NZD 1,230.00
371

SCOTTISH RUGBY UNION [2 programmes] New Zealand versus South of Scotland at Mansfield Park, Hawick Saturday, 12th October 1935...

 1935 NZD 100.00 - 200.00 NZD 1,107.00
405 KOPPITZ, RUDOLF [AND OTHERS]

Pictures from the Tyng Collection: The Royal Photographic Society, June 1931

 NZD 600.00 - 800.00 NZD 1,107.00
84 FENTON, FRANCIS

[1st edition & reprint] Important Judgements 1866-1879

 NZD 300.00 - 500.00 NZD 1,046.00
409 BAXTER, JAMES K.

Four Days

 NZD 600.00 - 800.00 NZD 1,046.00
297

HISTORIC LATE 19TH CENTURY BRASS MICROSCOPE belonging to James Crosby Smith Family history relates that this microscope was made by J.C.S. when he moved to Invercargill in 1901 as a partner in the firm Smith & Laing Ironmongers, from parts which he import

 NZD 1,000.00 - 1,500.00 NZD 984.00
322 HETLEY, MRS CHARLES

The Native Flowers of New Zealand

 1888 NZD 200.00 - 400.00 NZD 984.00
323 HETLEY, MRS CHARLES

The Native Flowers of New Zealand

 1888 NZD 200.00 - 400.00 NZD 984.00
114 STEVENS & BARTHOLOMEW'S

The New Zealand Directory for 1867-68

 [1866/67] NZD 200.00 - 300.00 NZD 923.00
157 HAMILTON, AUGUSTUS

Maori art. The Art Workmanship of the Maori Race in New Zealand. A series of illustrations from specially taken photographs with descriptive notes and essays on the Canoes, Habitations, Weapons, Ornaments and Dress of the Maoris.

 1896 - 1901 NZD 1,000.00 - 1,200.00 NZD 923.00
285 FORSTER, GEORGE (1754-1794)

A Voyage round the World, in His Britannic Majesty's sloop, Resolution

 1777 NZD 300.00 - 600.00 NZD 923.00
121

MILITARY BADGE. N.Z. ARMED CONSTABULARY

 NZD 250.00 - 450.00 NZD 861.00
  • <b><center>SD Scandinavian Art & Rare Book Auctions<br>The Odfjell Collection<br>Polar – History – Ornithology – Colour Plate Books<br>Ending December 4th</center></b> <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> ROALD AMUNDSEN: «Sydpolen» [ The South Pole] 1912. First edition in jackets and publisher's slip case. <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> AMUNDSEN & NANSEN: «Fram over Polhavet» [Farthest North] 1897. AMUNDSEN's COPY! <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> ERNEST SHACKLETON [ed.]: «Aurora Australis» 1908. First edition. The NORWAY COPY. <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> ERNEST SHACKLETON: «The heart of the Antarctic» + SUPPLEMENT «The Antarctic Book», 1909. <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> SHACKLETON, BERNACCHI, CHERRY-GARRARD [ed.]: «The South Polar Times» I-III, 1902-1911. <b><center>SD Scandinavian Art & Rare Book Auctions<br>The Odfjell Collection<br>Polar – History – Ornithology – Colour Plate Books<br>Ending December 4th</center></b> <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> [WILLEM BARENTSZ & HENRY HUDSON] - SAEGHMAN: «Verhael van de vier eerste schip-vaerden […]», 1663. <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> TERRA NOVA EXPEDITION | LIEUTENANT HENRY ROBERTSON BOWERS: «At the South Pole.», Gelatin Silver Print. [10¾ x 15in. (27.2 x 38.1cm.) ]. <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> ELEAZAR ALBIN: «A natural History of Birds.» + «A Supplement», 1738-40. Wonderful coloured plates. <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> PAUL GAIMARD: «Voyage de la Commision scientific du Nord, en Scandinavie, […]», c. 1842-46. ONLY HAND COLOURED COPY KNOWN WITH TWO ORIGINAL PAINTINGS BY BIARD. <b>Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4:</b> JAMES JOYCE: «Ulysses», 1922. FIRST EDITION IN ORIGINAL WRAPPERS.
    SD Scandinavian Art & Rare Book Auctions
    The Odfjell Collection
    Polar – History – Ornithology – Colour Plate Books
    Ending December 4th
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: ROALD AMUNDSEN: «Sydpolen» [ The South Pole] 1912. First edition in jackets and publisher's slip case.
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: AMUNDSEN & NANSEN: «Fram over Polhavet» [Farthest North] 1897. AMUNDSEN's COPY!
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: ERNEST SHACKLETON [ed.]: «Aurora Australis» 1908. First edition. The NORWAY COPY.
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: ERNEST SHACKLETON: «The heart of the Antarctic» + SUPPLEMENT «The Antarctic Book», 1909.
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: SHACKLETON, BERNACCHI, CHERRY-GARRARD [ed.]: «The South Polar Times» I-III, 1902-1911.
    SD Scandinavian Art & Rare Book Auctions
    The Odfjell Collection
    Polar – History – Ornithology – Colour Plate Books
    Ending December 4th
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: [WILLEM BARENTSZ & HENRY HUDSON] - SAEGHMAN: «Verhael van de vier eerste schip-vaerden […]», 1663.
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: TERRA NOVA EXPEDITION | LIEUTENANT HENRY ROBERTSON BOWERS: «At the South Pole.», Gelatin Silver Print. [10¾ x 15in. (27.2 x 38.1cm.) ].
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: ELEAZAR ALBIN: «A natural History of Birds.» + «A Supplement», 1738-40. Wonderful coloured plates.
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: PAUL GAIMARD: «Voyage de la Commision scientific du Nord, en Scandinavie, […]», c. 1842-46. ONLY HAND COLOURED COPY KNOWN WITH TWO ORIGINAL PAINTINGS BY BIARD.
    Scandinavian Art & Rare Books Auctions, Dec. 4: JAMES JOYCE: «Ulysses», 1922. FIRST EDITION IN ORIGINAL WRAPPERS.
  • <center><b>Sotheby’s<br>Book Week<br>December 9-17, 2025</b></center> <b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 11:</b> Darwin and Wallace. On the Tendency of Species to form Varieties..., [in:] <i>Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society,</i> Vol. III, No. 9., 1858, Darwin announces the theory of natural selection. £100,000 to £150,000. <b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 11:</b> J.K. Rowling. <i>Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone,</i> 1997, first edition, hardback issue, inscribed by the author pre-publication. £100,000 to £150,000. <b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 11:</b> Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Autograph sketchleaf including a probable draft for the E flat Piano Quartet, K.493, 1786. £150,000 to £200,000. <b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 12:</b> Hooke, Robert. <i>Micrographia: or some Physiological Descriptions of Minute Bodies made by Magnifying Glasses.</i> London: James Allestry for the Royal Society, 1667. $12,000 to $15,000. <b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 12:</b> Chappuzeau, Samuel. <i>The history of jewels,</i> first edition in English. London: T.N. for Hobart Kemp, 1671. $12,000 to $18,000. <b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 12:</b> Sowerby, James. <i>Exotic Mineralogy, containing his most realistic mineral depictions,</i> London: Benjamin Meredith, 1811, Arding and Merrett, 1817. $5,000 to $7,000.
    Sotheby’s
    Book Week
    December 9-17, 2025
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 11: Darwin and Wallace. On the Tendency of Species to form Varieties..., [in:] Journal of the Proceedings of the Linnean Society, Vol. III, No. 9., 1858, Darwin announces the theory of natural selection. £100,000 to £150,000.
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 11: J.K. Rowling. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, 1997, first edition, hardback issue, inscribed by the author pre-publication. £100,000 to £150,000.
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 11: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Autograph sketchleaf including a probable draft for the E flat Piano Quartet, K.493, 1786. £150,000 to £200,000.
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 12: Hooke, Robert. Micrographia: or some Physiological Descriptions of Minute Bodies made by Magnifying Glasses. London: James Allestry for the Royal Society, 1667. $12,000 to $15,000.
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 12: Chappuzeau, Samuel. The history of jewels, first edition in English. London: T.N. for Hobart Kemp, 1671. $12,000 to $18,000.
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 12: Sowerby, James. Exotic Mineralogy, containing his most realistic mineral depictions, London: Benjamin Meredith, 1811, Arding and Merrett, 1817. $5,000 to $7,000.
  • <b><center>Rare Book Hub is now mobile-friendly!</center></b>
    Rare Book Hub is now mobile-friendly!
  • <center><b>Swann<br>Maps & Atlases, Natural History & Color Plate Books<br>December 9, 2025</b></center> <b>Swann, Dec. 9:</b> Lot 156: Cornelis de Jode, <i>Americae pars Borealis,</i> double-page engraved map of North America, Antwerp, 1593. <b>Swann, Dec. 9:</b> Lot 206: John and Alexander Walker, <i>Map of the United States,</i> London and Liverpool, 1827. <b>Swann, Dec. 9:</b> Lot 223: Abraham Ortelius, <i>Typus Orbis Terrarum,</i> hand-colored double-page engraved world map, Antwerp, 1575. <center><b>Swann<br>Maps & Atlases, Natural History & Color Plate Books<br>December 9, 2025</b></center> <b>Swann, Dec. 9:</b> Lot 233: Aaron Arrowsmith, <i>Chart of the World,</i> oversize engraved map on 8 sheets, London, 1790 (circa 1800). <b>Swann, Dec. 9:</b> Lot 239: Fielding Lucas, <i>A General Atlas,</i> 81 engraved maps and diagrams, Baltimore, 1823. <b>Swann, Dec. 9:</b> Lot 240: Anthony Finley, <i>A New American Atlas,</i> 15 maps engraved by james hamilton young on 14 double-page sheets, Philadelphia, 1826. <center><b>Swann<br>Maps & Atlases, Natural History & Color Plate Books<br>December 9, 2025</b></center> <b>Swann, Dec. 9:</b> Lot 263: John Bachmann, <i>Panorama of the Seat of War,</i> portfolio of 4 double-page chromolithographed panoramic maps, New York, 1861. <b>Swann, Dec. 9:</b> Lot 265: Sebastian Münster, <i>Cosmographei,</i> Basel: Sebastian Henricpetri, 1558. <b>Swann, Dec. 9:</b> Lot 271: Abraham Ortelius, <i>Epitome Theatri Orteliani,</i> Antwerp: Johann Baptist Vrients, 1601. <center><b>Swann<br>Maps & Atlases, Natural History & Color Plate Books<br>December 9, 2025</b></center> <b>Swann, Dec. 9:</b> Lot 283: Joris van Spilbergen, <i>Speculum Orientalis Occidentalisque Indiae,</i> Leiden: Nicolaus van Geelkercken for Jodocus Hondius, 1619. <b>Swann, Dec. 9:</b> Lot 285: Levinus Hulsius, <i>Achtzehender Theil der Newen Welt,</i> 14 engraved folding maps, Frankfurt: Johann Frederick Weiss, 1623. <b>Swann, Dec. 9:</b> Lot 341: John James Audubon, <i>Carolina Parrot, Plate 26,</i> London, 1827.
    Swann
    Maps & Atlases, Natural History & Color Plate Books
    December 9, 2025
    Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 156: Cornelis de Jode, Americae pars Borealis, double-page engraved map of North America, Antwerp, 1593.
    Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 206: John and Alexander Walker, Map of the United States, London and Liverpool, 1827.
    Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 223: Abraham Ortelius, Typus Orbis Terrarum, hand-colored double-page engraved world map, Antwerp, 1575.
    Swann
    Maps & Atlases, Natural History & Color Plate Books
    December 9, 2025
    Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 233: Aaron Arrowsmith, Chart of the World, oversize engraved map on 8 sheets, London, 1790 (circa 1800).
    Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 239: Fielding Lucas, A General Atlas, 81 engraved maps and diagrams, Baltimore, 1823.
    Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 240: Anthony Finley, A New American Atlas, 15 maps engraved by james hamilton young on 14 double-page sheets, Philadelphia, 1826.
    Swann
    Maps & Atlases, Natural History & Color Plate Books
    December 9, 2025
    Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 263: John Bachmann, Panorama of the Seat of War, portfolio of 4 double-page chromolithographed panoramic maps, New York, 1861.
    Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 265: Sebastian Münster, Cosmographei, Basel: Sebastian Henricpetri, 1558.
    Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 271: Abraham Ortelius, Epitome Theatri Orteliani, Antwerp: Johann Baptist Vrients, 1601.
    Swann
    Maps & Atlases, Natural History & Color Plate Books
    December 9, 2025
    Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 283: Joris van Spilbergen, Speculum Orientalis Occidentalisque Indiae, Leiden: Nicolaus van Geelkercken for Jodocus Hondius, 1619.
    Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 285: Levinus Hulsius, Achtzehender Theil der Newen Welt, 14 engraved folding maps, Frankfurt: Johann Frederick Weiss, 1623.
    Swann, Dec. 9: Lot 341: John James Audubon, Carolina Parrot, Plate 26, London, 1827.