Item 142 is one of those pieces of utopian fiction: TheDreamofDebs. The author is Jack London, the popular early 20th century American novelist. Eugene Victor Debs was, like London, a workers' advocate, socialist, and political agitator. However, while London turned more to writing fiction, Debs focused on political and union activities. Debs was a frequent presidential candidate, running five times between 1900 and 1920, and while he never came close to victory, he garnered millions of votes, and his influence on the labor movement far exceeded his electoral success. This book describes a utopian socialist society based on the views expressed by Debs. $125.
As the title promises, this catalogue does have several works relating to castles. Here is one that describes one of the most famous of all: TheHistoryofNottinghamCastle,fromtheDanishInvasiontoitsDestructionbyRiotersin1831, by John Hicklin, published in 1836. Nottingham Castle, familiar to all from Robin Hood, has been around a very long time. It was built shortly after the Norman Conquest of 1066 on orders of William the Conqueror. It was a wooden structure, more fortress than castle. By the next century, however, Henry II had it rebuilt of stone. Over the centuries, it would serve both as fortress and royal residence, and would be the subject of various battles between royalty jockeying for power. As time went on, Nottingham Castle, like most structures, would age and deteriorate. Finally, it would be mostly demolished during the English Civil War. That would not be its end. After the Restoration, it was rebuilt even grander than before. After this reconstruction was completed in 1678, it would again begin a slow slide, and in 1831, it was again destroyed, this time in rioting by the poor angered by the then owner's opposition to parliamentary reform. That is where this book leaves off, though the castle has since been resurrected from its ruins to be a historic museum today. Item 42. $475.
Heritage, Dec. 15: Jerry Thomas. How to Mix Drinks, or the Bon-Vivant's Companion, Containing Clear and Reliable Directions for Mixing All the Beverages Used in the United States…
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Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Letter Signed ("Martinus Luther") to His Friend the Theologian Gerhard Wiskamp ("Gerardo Xantho Lampadario"). $100,000 - $150,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: An Exceptionally Fine Copy of Austenís Emma: A Novel in Three Volumes. $40,000 - $60,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Presentation Copy of Ernest Hemmingwayís A Farewell to Arms for Edward Titus of the Black Mankin Press. $30,000 - $50,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Manuscript Signed Integrally for "The Songs of Pooh," by Alan Alexander. $30,000 - $50,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Manuscript of "Three Fragments from Gˆtterd‰mmerung" by Richard Wagner. $30,000 - $50,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Original Preliminary Artwork, for the First Edition of Snow Crash. $20,000 - $30,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Letter Signed ("T.R. Malthus") to Economist Nassau Senior on Wealth, Labor and Adam Smith. $20,000 - $30,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides Finely Bound by Michael Wilcox. $20,000 - $30,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: First Edition of Lewis and Clark: Travels to the Source of the Missouri River and Across the American Continent to the Pacific Ocean. $8,000 - $12,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Original Artwork for the First Edition of Neal Stephenson's Groundbreaking Novel Snow Crash. $100,000 - $150,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: A Complete Set Signed Deluxe Editions of King's The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King. $8,000 - $12,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Letter Signed ("John Adams") to James Le Ray de Chaumont During the Crucial Years of the Revolutionary War. $8,000 - $12,000.
Sotheby’s Book Week December 9-17, 2025
Sotheby’s, Dec. 17: Francesco Colonna. Hypnerotomachie, Paris, 1546, Parisian calf by Wotton Binder C for Marcus Fugger. €200,000 to €300,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 17: Nausea. De principiis dialectices Gorgias, and other works, Venice, 1523, morocco gilt for Cardinal Campeggio. €3,000 to €4,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 17: Billon. Le fort inexpugnable de l'honneur, Paris, 1555, Parisian calf gilt for Peter Ernst, Graf von Mansfeld. €120,000 to €180,000.
Sotheby’s Book Week December 9-17, 2025
Sotheby’s, Dec. 16: Salinger, J.D. The Graham Family archive, including autographed letters, an inscribed Catcher, a rare studio photograph of the author, and more. $120,000 to $180,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 16: [Austen, Jane]. A handsome first edition of Sense and Sensibility, the author's first novel. $60,000 to $80,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 16: Massachusetts General Court. A powerful precursor to the Declaration of Independence: "every Act of Government … without the Consent of the People, is … Tyranny." $40,000 to $60,000.