Books & Periodicals

Material in this specialist market ranges from the early printed works of the Gutenberg Press and William Caxton right through to Modern First Editions and now up to signed copies of Harry Potter. Condition and rarity are the keys to this sector.


Harry Potter 1St Edition Paperback Front

Soft cover Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone bought for £3.50 in 1997 now hammers at £6600 in auction

11 September 2024

The bad news if you have a first edition of 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone' in soft covers is that they are not as rare as the hardback version which numbered 500 copies.

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Gutenberg Bible leaf priced at six figures

09 September 2024

Bayliss Rare Books is offering a fine leaf from the Gutenberg Bible, the first Western book printed with moveable type. The leaf in question is the end of Chapter 45 through to the beginning of Chapter 48 of Isaiah (45:6-48:6).

Books and works on paper auction calendar, September 10-24, 2024

09 September 2024

Our regular listing of UK and Irish books and works on paper sales.

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Nansen broke the ice for a first UK appearance

09 September 2024

A remarkable late Victorian lecture programme on early polar exploration by the Norwegian scientist Dr Fridtjof Nansen has been sold at Chaucer Auctions (18% buyer’s premium) in Folkestone.

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Monty Python’s buying circus - English literary landmarks collected by the late Terry Jones

09 September 2024

Dozen books including literary trailblazers come to auction from collection of actor and historian Terry Jones

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Auction offers ‘truly magnificent’ copy of Irish antiquities work

09 September 2024

Blessed with a classical education, a gift for drawing and his father’s fortune, the English militiaman and antiquary Francis Grose (1731-91) is best known for his Views of Antiquities in England and Wales, published in several volumes between 1772-76.

2659 NE Rare Book Auctions4

Jim Spencer starts new chapter as he moves from Hansons auction house to launch his own saleroom

04 September 2024

Book specialist Jim Spencer has left Hansons and is launching his own saleroom offering monthly timed online auctions in Lichfield, Staffordshire.

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Whitman’s personal touch creates a surprise performance

02 September 2024

An author printed and signed copy of Walt Whitman’s 'Leaves of Grass' sold for $37,500 (£29,400) with buyer’s premium at University Archives.

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Charles Dickens first issue in book form delivers great result

02 September 2024

'Great Expectations' first appeared in England in 36 weekly parts in the pages of Charles Dickens’ popular magazine, All the Year Round, beginning on December 1, 1860.

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On an original visit to Busytown

02 September 2024

The children’s author Richard Scarry (1919-94) was at the peak of popularity when he published 'Nicky Goes to the Doctor' in 1972.

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Fifty years of the York book fair and PBFA foundation to celebrate

02 September 2024

From modest origins, the York event is now the largest antiquarian book fair in the UK

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Tudor propaganda: Queen Mary’s own copy of Vergil’s history of England comes up for sale boosted by maps

02 September 2024

Mary Tudor’s personal copy of Vergil’s history of England comes to auction in Gloucestershire this month.

Books and works on paper auction calendar, September 3-20, 2024

02 September 2024

Our regular listing of UK and Irish books and works on paper sales

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Look through the keyhole courtesy of a grand picture book

02 September 2024

The 504-lot book sale at Potter & Potter (20% buyer’s premium) in Chicago on July 25 was topped by a four-volume set of one of the great records of the Gilded Age.

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Special lots from a locked room

02 September 2024

Library items shelved away in now closed college include some of the first North American histories

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A selection of books and works on paper previews

02 September 2024

Our pick of works appearing at eight upcoming auctions

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Famous Five first edition at four figures

02 September 2024

'Five Run Away Together' was the third of the Famous Five titles but today the most elusive.

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Group of Diana correspondence underlines high demand for Princess of Wales material

02 September 2024

More than a dozen letters and cards from Diana, Princess of Wales, to her family’s former housekeeper were sold at a recent auction at Sworders (25% buyer’s premium).

Books and works on paper auction calendar, August 28-September 11, 2024

27 August 2024

Our regular listing of UK and Irish books and works on paper sales

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Early Australia takes shape: maps sold at auction in Melbourne

27 August 2024

Seventeenth and 18th century maps sold in Melbourne auction show how much discoveries had revealed

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