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For the week ended Feb. 20, 2026 there were 79 auctions archived to Rare Book Hub’s database. 

Turnover was $15,822,968 up a bit from the prior week of $9.8M. The average lot brought $1,246.39. There were 15,368 lots offered; 12,695 found new homes. For the week 77.56% of all lots offered were sold.

Four auctions saw their total proceeds reach a million dollars:

Genazym. Winter Event on February 15th: $4,549,932 (Judaica)

Bonhams. Oscar Wilde. The Collection of Jeremy Mason on February 18th: $2,273,728

Morphy Auctions. Automobilia, Petroliana, & Advertising on February 19th: $1,245,696

University Archives. Rare Autographs, Manuscripts & Books on February 18th: $1,134,827

This is an edited list of auctions realizing 100% or more of the high estimates of all lots offered:

Bonhams. Oscar Wilde. The Collection of Jeremy Mason on February 18th: 351.67%

Forum Auctions. Online: India on February 19th: 233.02%

De Baecque and Associes. Documentation on the History of Art on February 15th: 229.21% includes art history books, auction and related catalogs

Dunbar Sloane. Vintage & Crime Book Collection - Part II on February 18th: 197.56%

Beaussant Lefevre. Paintings, Furniture and Objets D'art - Classic Sale on February 18th: 159.66% includes maps

ALDE. The Library of Didier Marty - 20th Century Literary Works, on February 18th: 152.36%

Ader. Contemporary Prints on February 18th: 147.33%

Crafoord Auktioner. Francesco Bacoccoli Collection - "In the Garden of Flora and Pomona" on February 19th: 143.05% strong on botanical prints

Genazym. Winter Event on February 15th: 118.89% major Judaica auction

University Archives. Rare Autographs, Manuscripts & Books on February 18th: 114.09%

Tooveys. Advertising and Transport on February 19th: 107.75% lots of ephemera

Also of interest, but with a with lower sell through rates:

Old World Auctions. Maps and Atlases on February 11th: 76.12% over 700 lots

PBA Galleries. Fine Literature with Beats & the Counterculture on February 19th: 78.24% ton of Joseph Conrad and Bukowski

Hansons. The Library Sale (Presented By Rare Book Auctions) on February 18th: 70.82% 

Tajan. Books, Manuscripts and Prints on February 17th: 71.43% 

Sydney Rare Book Auctions. An eclectic bunch of books from the 1500s until present time on February 15th: 53.23% very diverse assortment of mainly Australia -Pacific material, many went unsold

HIGHLIGHTS

Genazym’s (Israel) Judaica event dominated the week with 17 of the RBH top 25 list sold at their Feb. 15 sale. Also of particular interest was the all Oscar Wilde auction at Bonhams, and a rarely seen Book of Mormon first edition at University Archives. 

Lots of other interesting and not so expensive individual items at other houses, especially those with lesser sellthrough rates. The full catalog Old World Auctions Maps and Atlases with over 700 lots is definitely worth a look.. Also much to see in the Sydney Rare Book Auction for Australia enthusiasts.

1. Genazym (Israel) Precious Treasure “Blessing” in an undated handwritten and signed letter from Rabbi Moshe Yehuda Leib of Sassov (1745--1807) sold for $669,600.on Feb. 15 . It exceeded the presale high estimate of $500,000.

Handwritten and Autographed Letter of Blessing from the Holy Admor Rabbi Moshe Yehuda Leib of Sassov (1745--1807). The catalog notes do not state a date.

*

It was sent to the gaon Rabbi Simchah of Boberka, who was a close disciple of the holy Rabbi Zusha of Anipoli and held in high regard by all the chassidic greats of his day. The letter contains a warm mazel-tov blessing:

"And just as Hashem blessed be He, has begun to show him kindness through the matter of the shidduch with mazel tov --- to the Rav, the son-in-law of the Admor, may it be His will that it should be with a good mazel, so too may Hashem blessed be He send good shidduchim to his other daughters."

 To the best of Genazym's knowledge, this letter has never been published.

Rabbi Moshe Yehuda Leib of Sassov (1745--1807) was one of the greatest luminaries of Chassidus---a holy man of G-d and the central embodiment of Ahavas Yisrael in the chassidic world. Renowned for mastering all secrets of Torah, both revealed and hidden, he was the prime disciple of Rabbi Shmelka of Nikolsburg. After his teacher's passing, Rabbi Moshe Yehuda Leib chose to travel in order to be close to Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk.

https://www.rarebookhub.com/auction_lot_books/9531256?key=dbda17d4b91439a08725f05d84f00d03501be7c2

2. A rare ca. 1830 first edition of the Book of Mormon sold for $250,000 at University Archives on Feb. 18.

The Book of Mormon is Joseph Smith's translation of the golden tablets revealed to him by the angel Moroni on the hill of Cumorah near Manchester, New York. Printed only two weeks prior to the formal establishment of the Mormon Church, this is the only edition where Joseph Smith is identified as the "author" rather than as the "translator," as it appears in subsequent editions. This copy is complete with the "Testimony of the Three Witnesses" signed in type by Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris, who attest that they had "seen the plates that contain this record.

On the verso of the same leaf appears "And Also The Testimony of the Eight Witnesses" bearing the names of Christian Whitmer, Jacob Whitmer, Peter Whitmer, Jr., John Whitmer, Hiram Page, Joseph Smith, Sen., Hyrum Smith, and Samuel H. Smith, all of whom attest that Joseph Smith had "shewn unto us the plates...." Smith dictated the text to Oliver Cowdery, who also served as scribe.

Egbert B. Grandin, a local printer and proprietor of the 'Wayne Sentinel', undertook to print the sizeable edition (5,000 copies) for the 25-year old Smith. The manuscript "was delivered a few pages at a time to the typesetter, who supplied all the punctuation and paragraphing" (Crawley and Flake). The Church catalog notes that this first printing of the Mormon Bible forbade freemasonry and polygamy, but the latter doctrine was altered in subsequent editions.

First edition, 'The Book of Mormon: An Account Written by the Hand of Mormon, Upon Plates Taken from the Plates of Nephi...' by Joseph Smith, Jr. (1805-1844). Palmyra: Printed by E. B. Grandin, for the Author, 1830. 8vo, 4.75" x 7.5". 588pp [1, "Testimony of Three Witnesses], [1, "And Also the Testimony of Eight Witnesses"].

 Ownership signatures present on free front endpaper, with ex. libris blindstamp from a Logan, Utah, institution in the lower right of title page. A personal index, handwritten in pencil on the back endpaper, corresponds to a series of pages bearing underlined passages within, including those on the coming of Christ (page 160) and the Golden Plates (page 172). Expert restoration to calf boards and spine label resulting in binding stiffness, with moderate rubbing and edge loss throughout. Cracking at spine and hinges. Internal pages show areas of intermittent creasing, dampstaining and foxing.

 An approximate quarter of the Testimony page has been torn from gutter near lower left corner, not affecting text. Else, very good.

In September 2025, a comparable printing sold for $240,000 at Potter & Potter Auctions, though it did not have the extensive ownership writing and notes at verso, which are important to researchers.

https://www.rarebookhub.com/auction_lot_books/9521034?key=100900db4dd3a7bfe9926f237aaf5632d9434e30

3. Last photo of Oscar Wilde on his death bed (1900) sold at Bonham’s on Feb. 18 for £279,800.00 ($376,492) wildly exceeding the presale high estimate of just over $4,000.

The last photograph of Oscar Wilde, on his death bed, 30 November 1900, gelatin silver print, … INSCRIBED BY ROBERT ROSS on reverse "The last photograph of Oscar Wilde on his death bed from a negative taken by flashlight by Robert Ross three hours after death", with printed purple stamp of "William E. Gray, 92 Queen's Rd., Bayswater, W., Fine Art Photographer" below, held in chemise and morocco-backed slipcase, image 84 x 115mm., [November, 1900] 

After receiving Extreme Unction from the Catholic Priest Father Cuthbert Dunne the day before, Wilde died on 30 November 1900 at his room in the Hotel d'Alsace, Paris, in the presence of Robert Ross, Reginald Turner, and hotel proprietor Jean Dupoirier, who laid Wilde out, clothed in a white nightshirt. Shortly after Ross asked Maurice Gilbert (sometime referred to as Gilbert Maurice) to take this photograph.

The photographer "was a young marine infantryman... whom he [Wilde] picked up in the street having been struck by his beautiful eyes, and his fine profile... Although driven, initially, by passion, the relationship had its intellectual aspect" (Matthew Sturgis, Oscar: A Life, 2018).

https://www.rarebookhub.com/auction_lot_books/9538425?key=e154d84c05144156edbfb487c918946624eb7ebb

4. John Lennon 8 page signed and annotated 1971 letter mentioning many key figures in the musician’s circle sold at University Archives on Feb. 18 for $25,000.

An 8pp typed transcription from a 1971 interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono, featuring 12 separate comments and annotations in Lennon's hand to 5 of 8 pages. Measuring 8.5" x 11", n.p. [New York], August 31, 1971.

 Signed at the text's conclusion, where he circles a passage regarding Linda McCartney: "for christ's sake don't use this!/ John Lennon." An additional holograph note is found on the verso of page 8, reading: "I think it important to/ tell about my statement/ that 'we were going broke'/ to the English music papers,/ which gave the red light to/ Allen Klein [Beatles manager from 1969] to move in!/ don't you?". 

All pages have been bound together with a single staple at upper left, with expected creasing near the same. Faint staining present to note of last page, else near fine.Lennon's interesting note refers to his controversial statement in the press that the Beatles would be "broke in six months" in the wake of their late manager Brian Epstein's financial mishandlings of the group. 

After reading this comment, Klein met with Lennon on January 26, 1969 with an offer to represent him and the rest of the Beatles. John, George, and Ringo all agreed to the arrangement, while Paul preferred to be represented by his in-laws, Lee and John Eastman. 

It was this managerial divide that ultimately led to the group's downfall, serving as a catalyst for Paul's legal actions against them in late 1970.

Later, in August 1971, authors Peter McCabe and Robert Schonfeld would conduct an in-depth interview with John and Yoko for an upcoming book on the Beatles' breakup entitled 'Apple To The Core' (1972). Originally intended to be used as source material, it was eventually published in the September 1984 issue of 'Penthouse' Magazine, four years after Lennon's death. The discussion covered a range of notable moments in Beatles history- including its downfall- in addition to John's relationships with Yoko, Paul, Linda and others.Highlighted excerpts from the interview, with type errors corrected for clarity

https://www.rarebookhub.com/auction_lot_books/9521071?key=aed54654818075ab706b7bf6db712a88593f3815

5. Celine’s Morte a Credit (1936) sold at Alde (France) for €47,500 ($55,895), substantially above the presale high estimate of just over $35,000.

Ai translated catalog notes from French to English: 

Death on Credit.

Description: Paris, Denoel & Steele, 1936. Octavo, black morocco with a rich mosaic design alternating irregular pieces of white, gray, red, and garnet box calfskin, smooth spine titled vertically in gilt, fuchsia suede endpapers and flyleaves edged with a border of pearl gray box calfskin, gilt edges on uncut strips, original wrappers, spine, slipcase, and box bound in the same morocco (C. & J.-P. Miguet, 1994). 

First edition of Céline's second novel, dedicated to Lucien Descaves. This account of Ferdinand's childhood, lost in pre-World War I Paris, within a family torn apart by poverty, and later alongside the inventor Courtial des Pereires, faced countless criticisms upon its publication. 

The initial title had been Farewell to Molitor. The ferocity of the narrative was already a hallmark of Céline's work, but the heightened style was met with disapproval: the slang expressions, the neologisms, the "Célinean music," the rhythm of the sentences, and the ellipses were all interpreted as mere artifice. 

Céline did not respond to this unprecedented storm of criticism, but in his defense, Denoël published *Apologie de Mort à crédit* in July 1936, recalling the violent attacks that had greeted Zola's *L'Assommoir*.

One of 22 uncensored, out-of-commerce copies of the deluxe edition printed on Imperial Japanese paper (1915), out of the 47 copies printed on this paper, the others having been censored. Only the private copies offer the complete text of the novel: the rest of the print run, including the large paper editions, was expurgated at the publishers' request of the most explicit and licentious passages, which were left blank in the text. 

The complete version was never published during Céline's lifetime. A precious copy in a magnificent mosaic binding by Jean-Paul and Colette Miguet. An important autograph letter from Céline, signed Louis (Le Havre, n.d., 6 pp. quarto folded and mounted on tabs at the head of the volume), has been added.

https://www.rarebookhub.com/auction_lot_books/9532299?key=beb9d013cedf9e6dfae546a2f114dfa56e011d02

6. The first UK edition of Asimov’s I, Robot (1952) sold at Hansons on Feb. 18 for £1,250.00 ($1,681)  

ASIMOV, (Isaac). I, Robot, first UK edition, first printing, 8vo, publisher's green cloth with unclipped dust-jacket (priced 8/6), xiv, 15-224 pp., internally very well-preserved, clean & bright, a few very small marks in places, inscribed "1978 Andromeda Book Shop" on ffep, binding tight & square, lightly bumped at corners/extremities, jacket bold & bright with some scuffing and wear to extremities, slight loss to corners/edges, overall a very good example, London: Grayson & Grayson, 1952

https://www.rarebookhub.com/auction_lot_books/9531829?key=8e859e2c89dd5572fd580bc45c4b0d9ff5c2bb77

7. Stendhal’s Le Rouge et le Noir (1831) French 1st in 2 volumes sold at Tajan (France) on Feb. 17 for €16,061 ($19,012), about double the presale high estimate.

AI translation of catalog notes from French to English: STENDHAL. The Red and the Black. Chronicle of the 19th Century. Paris, A. Levavasseur, 1831. 2 vols. 8vo, I: (4) ff. [blank leaf, half-title, title page, foreword], 398 pp.; II: half-title, title page, 486 pp., (1) f. [note: "The inconvenience..."]; red long-grain morocco, five-fold gilt border, gilt corner fleurons with black mosaic palm fronds, spine with raised bands decorated in gilt and black mosaic florets, inner border of gilt fillets, black silk doublures decorated with large gold-stamped palm fronds, endpapers of the same black silk, gilt edges (Huser). Rare and sought-after first edition, each title page adorned with a woodcut vignette by Henri Monnier engraved by Porret. A fine copy bound by Huser.

https://www.rarebookhub.com/auction_lot_books/9537744?key=3f81c6296f69fd86be23f1cadff16728e296dbe7

8. "Township Map of Peninsular Florida Issued by the Associated Railway Land Department of Florida" 1890 sold at Old World Auctions on Feb. 11 for $3,600. The high estimate was $475.

This scarce map of the state by D.H. Elliot, General Land Agent, was issued by the Associated Railway Land Department of Florida, a consortium of companies with 

land for sale on the peninsula. The lands for sale are indicated by green squares representing 20 statute miles. 

The map reflects the influence of Henry B. Plant, the businessman behind the Plant System of southern railroads and steamships. Indeed, all of the companies named as part of the Associated Railway Land Department of Florida were owned by Plant. 

Competing with railroad magnate Henry Flagler, who built up Florida's east coast, Plant extended his railroad across the state, connecting east and west with his line running from Sanford to Tampa. The map extends to include part of Georgia and South Carolina, spanning as far north as Charleston. A vignette at bottom left shows quail hunting and tarpon fishing. On verso is another map, Map of North America and Western Europe Showing the Direct Passenger - Transportation - Lines Between Europe and the United States, Mexico, the West Indies, Central and South America... (23.3 x 15.7") showing the travel between the continents possible because of Plant. 

There are also vignettes of hotels, including the crown jewel of Plant's Florida project, the Tampa Bay Hotel. Plant built this sumptuous hotel at the end of his rail line; it is now the Henry B. Plant Museum, highlighting Gilded Age tourism in the region. Printed by Matthews, Northrup & Co.References: Rumsey #4100.Condition: B+Issued folding, now flat, with a hint of toning along the folds and archival repairs to several short fold separations on verso. 15.5 x 31.4 inches 39.4 x 79.8 cm.

https://www.rarebookhub.com/auction_lot_books/9523033?key=f51f0864b76e850bc2478c34df2b699ed1663a40

9. Tuskegee Airmen book 2004 signed by 11 members of the elite WWII unit sold at University Archives on Feb. 19 for $593

A pictorial history entitled "Images of America: The Tuskegee Airmen" by Lynn M. Homan and Thomas Reilly. Charleston: Arcadia Publishing, 2004. 128pp.

 Boldly signed on the front title page by eleven original members and personnel, with many including their unit or group. Signatories include: Eugene J. Robertson, Roscoe Draper, Bertram A. Levy, Edward Powell, Henry L. Moore (also signed on p. 71), and Robert Griffin, among others.

 Soft paper wrappers exhibit light edge wear and corner creasing. Interior pages remain clean with superior imagery throughout.

The Tuskegee Airmen were a group of primarily African-American military pilots and airmen who fought in World War II, forming the 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group, respectively. The name also applies to the navigators, bombardiers, mechanics, instructors, crew chiefs, nurses, cooks, and other support personnel.

https://www.rarebookhub.com/auction_lot_books/9521112?key=b8bcfb0438f3b0056401b30efd0f977b83240b3c

SELECTED UPCOMING AUCTIONS

Wed. Feb. 25th

Bonhams. Los Angeles. Prints and Multiples Online. 226 lots

Il Ponte. Milan. Antique Books and Libre Artistes. 338 lots

Lyon and Turnbull. Edinburgh. Books and Manuscripts. 253 lots

Tooveys. West Sussex. Stamps, Cigarette and Trade Cards, Postcards, Photographs, Autographs and Ephemera. 274 lots

Brunk Auctions. Asheville, NC . Americana featuring the Estate of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter. 66 lots

Catawiki B. V.. LA Assen, . Autographs and Manuscripts. 131 lots

Catawiki B. V.. LA Assen, . Old and Rare Books (pre-1700). 30 lots

Tajan. Paris. Estate of Mr. D. - Modern & Contemporary Art Collection. 50 lots

Tessier & Sarrou and Associates. Paris. Online Sale - Movie Posters. 600 lots

Thu. Feb. 26th

Forum Auctions. London. Online: Travel Books, Maps and Atlases. 346 lots

Chiswick Auctions. London. Prints and Multiples. 252 lots

Christies. New York. Contemporary Editions: New York.

Lay's Auctioneers. Cornwall. Rare Books and Works on Paper.

PBA Galleries. Berkeley. PBA Platinum. 117 lots

Rago Arts and Auctions. Lambertville. Prints and Multiples.

Swann Galleries. New York. Vintage Posters.

Bonhams. London, New Bond Street. Vintage Posters Online. 88 lots

One Of A Kind Collectibles. Coral Gables. Live Auction. 209 lots

Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Historical Manuscripts and Texana. 495 lots

Ripley Auctions. Indianapolis. Timed Estates Book Collection Blowout - Reference Books, Fiction, Nonfiction & More!. 195 lots

Heritage Auctions. Dallas. The Art of Exposure II: Pin-Up and Figure Photography Featuring the Bunny Yeager Archive Showcase Auction. 218 lots

Brunk Auctions. Asheville, NC . American and Souther. 25 lots

Morton Subastas. México DF CP 11000. Antiques & Books Auction — The Echo of Two Worlds.

Quinn's Auction Galleries. Falls Church. Mardi Gras and Louisiana Poster Auction. 305 lots

Bonhams. Los Angeles. Entertainment Memorabilia Featuring Gene Hackman. 151 lots

Christies. New York. Post-War to Present. 24 lots

Eldreds. East Dennis,. Winter Marine Sale. 11 lots

John McInnis Auctioneers. Amesbury. Online Only New England Estates Auction Session II. 35 lots

Fri. Feb. 27th

Bonhams. New York. Photographs Now. The Connoisseur's Edition. 160 lots

Catawiki B. V.. LA Assen, . Old and Rare Books (pre-1700). 37 lots

Freeman's | Hindman. Chicago. Interiors, Featuring Prints and Multiples from the Dr. Gary London Revocable Trust. 64 lots

Christies. New York. First Open | Post-War & Contemporary Art, featuring Drawings from the Collection of the Late Janie C. Lee, Sold for the Benefit of the Menil Drawing Institute. 12 lots

Sat. Feb. 28th

Potter and Potter Auctions. Chicago. Literature and Legerdemain. 424 lots

Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books. Franklin. Fine Art - Antique Engravings & Lithographs - Works on Paper. 150 lots

Catawiki B. V.. LA Assen, . Exclusive Maps Auction. 16 lots

Crafoord Auktioner. Täby. Art and Antiques. 27 lots

Sun. Mar. 1st

Heritage Auctions. Dallas. Sunday Movie Posters Select Auction.

Vogt Auction. San Antonio. The Texas Ranch Auction.

Catawiki B. V.. LA Assen, . Photography Books Auction. 34 lots

Sydney Rare Book Auctions. Ultimo. Gary Gorton Crime Fiction Sale Part 11.

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