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.


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Napoleonic memorabilia: Bust of Boney sold at Sotheby's among latest highlights

15 August 2022

Rediscovered sculpted portrait heads a special report covering recent lots linked to the man who became emperor, dedicated to both his triumphs and defeats

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Rare appearance of financial work by author who ended up dying in poverty

15 August 2022

It is close on 50 years since a 1705 first of John Law’s 'Money and Trade Considered…' was seen at auction, said Lyon & Turnbull (20% buyer’s premium) of the copy in re-backed contemporary calf that it sold for £22,000 in a summer sale held in Edinburgh.

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Medieval initials add a touch of colour to Bloomsbury sale

15 August 2022

The two cut-out and trimmed coloured initials illustrated here are part of a group of six, taken from two manuscripts of 12th century French origin, that made up a lot sold for £10,000 in a July 6 sale held by Bloomsbury Auctions (25/20/12% buyer’s premium).

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Collector showed her great taste in gastronomic works

08 August 2022

Gastronomy-themed books spanning five centuries were offered in a London auction.

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Michelin guide went supersize

08 August 2022

The first Michelin guide was published in 1900 by the eponymous tyre company.

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JK Rowling’s story that became Inventive and Action Packed

08 August 2022

Offering a copy of the second of JK Rowling’s famous tales to be published, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets of 1998, a lot that featured in a July 16 sale held by Rogers Jones (24% buyer’s premium) was certainly an unusual one.

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5 Questions: Paul Foster of Paul Foster Books

08 August 2022

Paul Foster set up Paul Foster Books in 1990 and trades online, at fairs and by appointment in London.

British and Irish book auctions: August 9-31, 2022

08 August 2022

Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions.

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Agatha Christie makes plea to ‘Pop’ to promote her book

08 August 2022

Bid to £16,000 in a sale held by Duke’s (25% buyer’s premium) of Dorchester was a 1921 first of Agatha Christie’s The Mysterious House at Styles.

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New chapter in 007 posters story

25 July 2022

What would appear to be a rare James Bond promotional poster proved the major attraction of a June 14 sale held by TW Gaze (18% buyer’s premium).

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Geography guide in your hand

25 July 2022

Playing cards displaying maps lead a look at a Gloucestershire sale

British and Irish book auctions: July 26-August 5, 2022

25 July 2022

Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions

Daniel Crouch

Book sellers face extra export red tape

18 July 2022

New environmental laws in Germany and France mean overseas sellers of smaller items such as books are tackling another layer of red tape on top of those already presented by Brexit.

Walter Raleigh document

Rawley or Raleigh, it’s worth £22,000

18 July 2022

The sale of Rare Books, Manuscripts, Maps & Photographs at Lyon & Turnbull in Edinburgh on July 13 included a document signed by the adventurer and courtier Sir Walter Raleigh (1554-1618).

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Cumbria local history lessons

18 July 2022

A recent sale held by Thomson Roddick (18% buyer’s premium) of Carlisle, one that included further items of local interest from the library of the late Maurice Cole, was led by one of the newer books on offer.

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Six more gems from the baron

18 July 2022

Selection of sale highlights from the exceptional Henry Rogers Broughton collection

British and Irish book auctions: July 19-29, 2022

18 July 2022

Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions.

Handwritten letter by J.R.R.Tolkien

Handwritten and signed Tolkien letter comes to US auction

16 July 2022

A handwritten autograph letter signed by J.R.R. Tolkien is to be one of the centrepiece offerings in Heritage Auctions’ Rare Books Signature Auction in Dallas, Texas, July 27-28, estimated at $10,000+.

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Deadly demand by ‘Bloody Mary’

11 July 2022

The queen’s menacing message to Protestant courtiers makes an auction appearance

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Bird’s-eye views of the US

11 July 2022

Offered as part of a New York sale held by Swann (25/20/12% buyer’s premium) were the two imaginative aerial views reproduced here.

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