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Category: Books, Manuscripts & Archives
Auction Industry
An Autograph Manuscript by Philip the Fair: A Piece of French History
This parchment written by the Iron King (r. 1285-1314) reminds us of the major and often murky role that his right-hand man, Guillaume de Nogaret, played during his reign. 14th century, Philip IV (The Fair) (1268-1314). Manuscript on Parchment, (66 x 54 cm, 26 x 21.3 in)Estimate: €20,000/30,000 Pope Boniface VIII,…
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First Editions of Tom Sawyer and the Smyth Report at Hindman
Leading Hindman’s upcoming books and manuscripts sale is a first printing copy of Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer from 1876. Twain’s famous tale of the mischievous and clever boy was initially a commercial failure. The American Publishing Co. sold fewer than 24,000 copies in the novel’s first year,…
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First Edition Copy of Ian Fleming’s Casino Royale and More Fine Manuscripts from Christie’s
In Ian Fleming’s James Bond novels, the codename M refers to the head of MI6 (the British Secret Intelligence Service). Though there are a few people who may have served as the inspiration for M, the most likely is Admiral John Godfrey, who was Fleming’s superior at the Naval Intelligence…
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First Editions of Fitzgerald’s “Gatsby” and Frank Herbert’s “Dune” Come to Auction
A first edition of The Great Gatsby signed by F. Scott Fitzgerald is available in the Fine Literature & Modern Firsts sale at Potter & Potter Auctions. It has the original publishers gilt-lettered spine. Many movie adaptations have come about based on Fitzgerald’s Gatsby, a book that explores love, passion,…
Auction Industry, Press Release
Potter & Potter Auctions' April 2022 Circus, Sideshow, and Oddities Sale to Feature Banners, Ephemera and Images, Lithographs, Carousel Horses, and Rare Shooting Gallery Targets
Also of note is a fine collection of circus, sideshow, and theatrical photographs from the world-class collection of collector and historian Gary Bart. Chicago, Il, April 7, 2022 - Potter & Potter Auctions is pleased to announce this 600+ lot sale to be held on Saturday, April 30th starting at…
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Letter Containing Earliest Reference to Uncle Sam Comes Up For Bid
“I expect to go to New Haven next week to inspect armes made by Ely Whitney for Unkel Sam 500.” This casual remark by Robert Orr in an 1803 letter to his son is the earliest-known written use of the term “Uncle Sam” to personify the American federal government. Orr…
Auction Industry
The Aristophil Collection: An Immersion Into the Creative Lives of Authors and Artists
The next two sales of autographs from the Aristophil Collection include a few items that have never come up for auction before, but also a collection of historic objects and some treasures, paintings and drawings. Théodore Géricault (1791–1824), Self-portrait, oil on canvas, c. 1812, 27 x 22 cm/10.62 x 8.66 in. Estimate: €30,000/40,000…
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Two-Day Auction Offering Abraham Lincoln's Possessions Scored $4.26 Million
Heritage Auctions wrapped up its celebration of Abraham Lincoln's 213th birthday with the Lincoln and His Times auction. This two-day event nearly sold out and concluded with a total of USD 4,264,724. It featured documents with Lincoln's signature, gifts, office-time souvenirs, and artifacts from his assassination. The event was the…
Auction Guide, Auction Industry
Auction Cataloging: Goals, Priorities, and Challenges
A key part of any auction is the cataloging associated with each lot on offer. Cataloging, which appears on the surface to be simply a description of the item, is actually much more complicated. Transparent cataloging must take into consideration the interests of the auction house, the consignor, and potential…
Auction Industry
The Holy and Intimate Hours of the Middle Ages
Three unpublished illuminated books of hours that belonged to the same family for nearly three hundred years provide an opportunity to examine the art of the books in the 15th century. Book of Prayers of Guillaume Doulcet de Pontécoulant, c. 1470-1480, this miniature features an astonishing depiction of the burning of…
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Albert Einstein Letters, Antique Books, Historical Documents, and More From Turner Auctions + Appraisals
In April of 1950, Albert Einstein was president of the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science at Hebrew University. In this role, Einstein sent a letter to Professor Hans Freudenthal (a Jewish German-born Dutch mathematician) to invite him to the institute’s first dinner and conference to be held…
Auction Industry
Around the Auction World: February 2022
Images from around the auction world this February. Image credit from left to right: Sotheby’s, Stair, and Christie’s. Collage by Heemin Moon (Auction Daily). February is the month of love and, for those in the Northern Hemisphere, the last official month of winter. The auction world responded appropriately. Notable sales…
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Americana Between the Boards From Potter & Potter
Perhaps best known for both capturing Fort Ticonderoga early in the Revolutionary War and founding the state of Vermont, Ethan Allen also led a failed attempt into Montreal that resulted in his capture by British authorities. Imprisoned aboard Royal Navy ships, he was released in a prisoner exchange in 1778.…
Auction Industry, Press Release
Books & Manuscripts, Part 2, Goes Up For Bid On March 5 At Turner Auctions + Appraisals
Over 205 Lots on Offer Dating from 14th-20th Centuries, Most from the Holbrook T. Mitchell Collection SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA, February 16, 2022 – Turner Auctions + Appraisals is pleased to present Books & Manuscripts, Part 2, on March 5, 2022. The sale features over 205 lots of antique or vintage…
Auction Result
What Sold in Bonhams’ Auction of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Library?
Bonhams’ recent The Library of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg sale, held online from January 19 through 27, 2022, was an unmitigated success. The white glove auction realized over USD 2.3 million, included 162 lots of materials from the Justice's personal collection, and had a 100% sell-through rate. Supreme Court Justice…
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Rare Copy of the Land Ordinance of 1785 and Early American Catholic Bible Come to Auction With Freeman's
After the end of the American Revolution, the United States government acquired the Northwest Territory from Great Britain. The Land Ordinance of 1785 specified the standardized mode of measuring, dividing, and distributing this territory. It was a notable precursor to the landmark Northwest Ordinance of 1787 and a cornerstone for…
Auction Industry
The Collection of Marie Bell: A Woman of the French Art Scene
From the theater to illustrated plates, Marie Bell's life reflects a time when artists of all kinds performed together. Jean Hugo (1894-1984), Coupe de fruits devant la Méditerranée, jeune femme dans un paysage au ciel bleu (Bowl of Fruit in Front of the Mediterranean, Young Woman in a Landscape with Blue Skies),…
Auction Result
Music by Mozart and Gounod from the Aristophil Collection
This sale focusing on music manuscripts hit some high notes. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791), autograph manuscript of a Kyrie in C composed for a four-part chorus, two oboes, two horns, two trumpets, timpani, strings and organ, 5 pages, oblong in-quarto on two stitched double leaves, 1772 Result: €390,000 The 46th Aristophil sale at the…
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15th-Century Illuminated Prayer Book, Antique Manuscripts Available at Turner Auctions + Appraisals
Avid antique books collector Holbrook T. Mitchell nursed a diverse range of interests, from opera to classic cars. Those interests were reflected in his collection of books, documents, and historical manuscripts. Turner Auctions + Appraisals will bring 85 lots from Mitchell’s collection to auction in late January. One key lot…
Auction Industry
Upcoming Bonhams Auction Will Offer All Things Small, Beautiful, and Rare
An upcoming Bonhams auction features tiny works of decorative art that can fit in the palm of your hand. What are the key lots? Peter Edward Stroehling (German, 1768 - 1826), Lais and Sappho. Image courtesy of Bonhams. Tobacco consumption wasn't a common practice in the European continent until the…
