Volkamer's surrealistically large lemons are reminiscent of
Item 12 offers a series of maps circa 1855, along with a block puzzle. The puzzle consists of 30 cube wooden blocks. Each side of each block contains part of the image of a different map. Matching the correct sides together allows you to construct each of the six maps. Paper printed copies of the maps are also included, the maps being of the world, Europe, North America, Africa, Asia, and the South Pacific, including Australia. €1,950.
Item 32 is another unusual item, Collection de 60 Sections Transversales de Bois....by Hermann von Nordlinger. It is a book of wood samples, evidently published for use by forestry students of the school in Nancy, France. Included are 60 paper-thin cross-cuttings of various trees native to this area. The thin samples are each placed in separate window folders. Latin and French names are provided for each species, along with a note on the collection. This book is believed to have been published in the 1870s. €2,750.
Item 18 is a Dutch illuminated manuscript from the 15th century. It is a copy of the Book of Hours, and a calendar within dates this to what must be the high point of illuminated manuscripts. The calendar covers the years 1455-1500, dating the manuscript to 1454-1455. Of course we all know what was happening down the road in Mainz at this time, and it would eventually put the illuminated manuscript industry out of business. €19,500.
Item 46 contains what Asher describes as "astonishingly beautiful illustrations of citrus fruits, flowers, exotic plants, landscapes, cities, villages, palaces, gardens and garden art .... as well as garden, building and city plans, labyrinths, etc." That is no exaggeration. The book is Nürnbergische Hesperides.... by Johann Volkamer, published 1708-1714. The book consists of eight parts in two volumes. The drawings are nothing short of works of art, especially the fruits and flowers. Some of the fruit drawings take on a surreal effect, notes Asher, reminiscent of Roald Dahl's "James and the Giant Peach" (see the image to your left). In this case, however, it is a giant lemon. Even James would be impressed. €96,500.
Item 50 is Le Grand Atlas....from Joan (Johan) Blaeu. This is a 12-volume French edition of the great atlas published in 1667. This is a second French edition of a work originally published in Latin in 1662, and is the largest edition. The set contains 586 engraved maps and other plates. Price on request.
You may find this catalogue online at Asher Rare Books' website, www.asherbooks.com. Their phone number is +31 (0)255 52 38 39.
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.
Heritage Auctions Rare Books Signature Auction December 15, 2025
Heritage, Dec. 15: John Donne. Poems, By J. D. With Elegies on the Author's Death. London: M[iles]. F[lesher]. for John Marriot, 1633.
Heritage, Dec. 15: Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
Heritage, Dec. 15: F. Scott Fitzgerald. Tender is the Night. A Romance.
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…
![<b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 16:</b> [Austen, Jane]. A handsome first edition of <i>Sense and Sensibility,</i> the author's first novel. $60,000 to $80,000.](https://ae-files.s3.amazonaws.com/AdvertisementPhotos/9a74d9ff-42dd-46a1-8bb2-b636c4cec796.png "<b>Sotheby’s, Dec. 16:</b> [Austen, Jane]. A handsome first edition of <i>Sense and Sensibility,</i> the author's first novel. $60,000 to $80,000.")
![<b>Heritage, Dec. 15:</b> John Donne. <i>Poems, By J. D. With Elegies on the Author's Death.</i> London: M[iles]. F[lesher]. for John Marriot, 1633.](https://ae-files.s3.amazonaws.com/AdvertisementPhotos/8caddaea-4c1f-47a7-9455-62f53af36e3f.jpg "<b>Heritage, Dec. 15:</b> John Donne. <i>Poems, By J. D. With Elegies on the Author's Death.</i> London: M[iles]. F[lesher]. for John Marriot, 1633.")
