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Bonhams: Americana, Exploration, and Travel

Auction Reports

Auction Name Americana, Exploration, and Travel Total Sales (USD) 797,062.40
Auction Date October 23, 2025 - October 23, 2025 Low Estimate of Lots Sold (USD) 483,700.00
Sale Number #30826 High Estimate of Lots Sold (USD) 738,400.00
Total Lots 234
Sold Lots 184.0 Low Estimate of All Lots (USD) 871,900.00
% of Lots Sold 78.63% High Estimate of All Lots (USD) 1,330,700.00
Unsold Lots 50 Total Sales as a % of High Est. 59.90%

Top twenty-five by sale price

Lot Number Author Name Book Title Year Published Estimate Actual Price
102 PAINE, THOMAS. 1737-1809.

The American Crisis. Number 1. [BOUND WITH:] The American Crisis. Number II. [BOUND WITH:] The Crisis Extraordinary.

1776-1777; 1780 USD 80,000.00 - 120,000.00 USD 152,900.00
100 PAINE, THOMAS. 1737-1809.

Common Sense; Addresses to the Inhabitants of America... A New Edition, with several Additions in the Body of the Work....

 1776 USD 30,000.00 - 50,000.00 USD 76,700.00
156 MAO ZEDONG (1893-1976).

Selected Works of Mao Tse-Tung.

 1965 USD 40,000.00 - 60,000.00 USD 43,520.00
32

The Massachusetts Spy Or, Thomas's Boston Journal. Vol. III, No. 151, Thursday, December 23

 1773 USD 4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD 20,480.00
56

Comprising 18 California Pictorial letter sheets. Britton & Rey and others

 USD 20,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD 20,480.00
12 MATHER, COTTON, 1663-1728.

The Wonders of the Invisible World: Being an Account of the Tryals of Several Witches, Lately Executed in New-England....

 USD 15,000.00 - 25,000.00 USD 17,920.00
41 [COLLINGS, RICHARD, editor].

Mercurius Civicus: Londons Intelligencer.

 4 May-8 June 1643. USD 4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD 17,920.00
116 AUDUBON, JOHN JAMES. 1785-1851.

The Birds of America, From Drawings Made in the United States and Their Territories.

1856 USD 8,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD 17,920.00
63 GOODWIN, F.

A Brief Description of California, from the Time of its First Occupation by the United States and Subsequent Growth...

1855 USD 8,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD 14,080.00
134 COOK, JAMES. 1728-1779.

[Cook's Voyages]. A mixed set of 4to volumes comprising:

 USD 10,000.00 - 15,000.00 USD 12,800.00
55 M'ILVAINE, WILLIAM, JR. 1813-1867.

Sketches of Scenery and Notes of Personal Adventure, in California and Mexico.

1850 USD 6,000.00 - 9,000.00 USD 10,880.00
48 POLK, JAMES K. 1795-1849.

Message from the President of the United States to the Two Houses of Congress ... December 5, 1848.

1848 USD 1,000.00 - 1,500.00 USD 10,240.00
77 FELLOWS & SELKIRK.

Resources of El Dorado County California.

1887 USD 2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD 10,240.00
23 ROKEBY, THOMAS, SIR (1631?-1699).

Autograph diary. Ca 1687/8 to August 1697.

 USD 4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD 9,600.00
158 MAO ZEDONG (1893-1976).

Quotations from Chairman Mao Tse-Tung.

1966 USD 10,000.00 - 15,000.00 USD 9,600.00
160 CHOU EN-LAI.

Printed dinner menu signed and dated (7/11/1971) by Chou en-Lai from the farewell dinner hosted by the Pakistani delegation in Beijing during talks regarding the developing tension between India and Pakistan,

 USD 10,000.00 - 15,000.00 USD 9,600.00
8 JOSSELYN, JOHN, ca 1608-1704.

An Account of Two Voyages to New-England.

 1674 USD 8,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD 8,320.00
10 BYFIELD, NATHANIEL, 1653-1733 -- MATHER, INCREASE (1639-1723).

An Account of the Late Revolution in New-England. Together with the Declaration of the Gentlemen, Merchants, and Inhabitants of Boston, and the Country Adjacent.

 1689 USD 8,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD 8,320.00
118 LINCOLN, ABRAHAM. 1814-1869. CUTTS, JAMES MADISON. 1837-1903.

Partially printed document signed ("Abraham Lincoln") as President, appointing James Madison Cutts to the position of Captain in the Eleventh Regiment Infantry, 1 p, 440 x 347 mm,

15 August 1861, USD 8,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD 8,320.00
157 MAO ZEDONG (1893-1976).

Quotations from Chairman Mao Tse-Tung.

1966 USD 8,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD 8,320.00
39

A group of 4 manuscripts from The Corsini Correspondence, 1585-1599,

 1585-1599, USD 1,000.00 - 1,500.00 USD 7,680.00
79 MUIR, JOHN. 1838-1914

The Mountains of California.

1894 USD 800.00 - 1,200.00 USD 7,680.00
95 FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.

Printed Broadside, accomplished in manuscript, a military order for "Essex s.s. To Rich Kelly Commdr Captain of the military Foot Company ...

USD 6,000.00 - 9,000.00 USD 7,680.00
51 DELAVAN, JAMES. D. 1891.

Notes on California and the Placers: How to Get There, and What to Do Afterwards. By One Who has been There.

1850 USD 3,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD 7,040.00
120 VANDERBILT, CORNELIUS. 1794-1877.

Document Signed ("C. Vanderbilt") on verso, partially printed and accomplished in manuscript, a stock certificate granting Vanderbilt 3500 shares in the New York and Harlem Railroad Company,

 USD 1,000.00 - 1,500.00 USD 7,040.00
  • <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.
  • <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.