Books About Books, Bibliography and the Oak Knoll Fest
Illustration by Joan Hassall.
Here is the story of another master forger. Mark Hoffman made a name for himself in Mormon circles by creating historic documents, some of which raised questions about the foundations of the faith. His most notable document was the so-called "Salamander Letter," which showed Mormon founder Joseph Smith involved in folk magic. As so often happens with a life of crime, questions arose and the tumbling of Hoffman's house of cards led him to commit two murders. Item 311 is Salamander, the Story of the Mormon Forgery Murders, by Linda Sillitoe and Allen Roberts. Today, manuscript dealer Hoffman resides at the Utah State Penitentiary, where he shall remain for eternity. $35.
Now for an unusual title, The Snouters, from the Life of the Rhinogrades, by Harald Stumpke (say, his name is unusual too). Snouters are technically members of the family of Rhinogrades, animals that have well-developed snouts. Some can actually walk upon them; others catch food with their snouts. They are apparently somewhat akin to elephants, but with far more developed noses. They lived only on a Pacific island, but unfortunately, they accidentally perished as a result of atomic bomb testing. Sadly, so too did Professor Stumpke, their discoverer. Of course, if you believe any of this, you are quite gullible. "Stumpke" was Gerolf Steiner, a German zoology professor, who invented the entire natural history spoof. However, the story is entertaining enough for the work to have been translated into several languages. Item 445 is in English, published for the American Museum of Natural History in 1967. $17.50.
Joan Hassall was one of the more notable illustrators of the 20th century, most noted for her wood engravings. While her work is well known, its creator is more obscure. Item 276, edited by Brian Lee, will help correct that shortcoming. The book is Dearest Joana, a Selection of Joan Hassall's Lifetime Letters and Art. Published in 2001 (Ms. Hassall died in 1988), it includes letters to family and friends over much of her life. Sixty of her wood engravings plus other art is pictured. This is from a limited edition of just 40 copies. $1,350.
The final catalogue section contains bibliographies. They run from the familiar, such as bibliographies of famous authors, events, and presses, to the obscure, such as Books on Poultry and Cockfighting... or The Lighter Than Air Society Collection (balloons). If you are looking for a bibliography on any subject, no matter how obscure, give Oak Knoll Books a call. They just might have it. Their phone number is 302-328-7232. The website is www.oakknoll.com.
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.")
