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.


Essex Book By Chase Owen

First-hand account of ill-fated whaleship that inspired Moby-Dick heads to auction

09 January 2025

A first-hand account documenting the 1820 sinking of American whaleship the Essex heads to auction on January 16.

Memoir of Captain Paul Cuffee

Rare memoir of ‘a man of color’ makes 10 times estimate in Gloucestershire sale

06 January 2025

A scarce lifetime biography of the renowned pan-Africanist Paul Cuffee, found plenty of competition at a recent auction at Dominic Winter.

img_36-2.jpg

Harry Houdini King of Cards poster had been collected by Yorkshireman spellbound by magic

06 January 2025

Erik Weisz (1864-1926) launched his monumental career as the illusionist Harry Houdini in 1891 as a specialist in card tricks.

Books and works on paper auction calendar, January 7-31, 2025

06 January 2025

Our regular listing of books and works on paper sales

img_21-1.jpg

US Constitution ratified by eager buyer as worth $9m

30 December 2024

Passed down through generations at the historic Hayes Plantation in Edenton, North Carolina, the only privately held Ratification copy of the American Constitution dating to 1787 sold for a whopping $9m (£6.94m).

img_20-2.jpg

Find a tale of the famous Roxana at auction

30 December 2024

First edition of Defoe’s final novel fought over by online bidders up to a hammer price of £16,000

Books and works on paper auction calendar, January 5-26, 2024

30 December 2024

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

William Morris CHAUCER THE FINEST BOOK SINCE THE GUTENBERG BIBLE. Bonhams

William Morris’s Kelmscott Press books achieve white glove result at Bonhams

23 December 2024

A complete collection of the books published by 19th century designer William Morris (1834-1896) from his printing company Kelmscott Press achieved white glove results at Bonhams New York.

Sarum Master bible

Public fundraising sees Sarum Master bible return to Salisbury Cathedral

20 December 2024

A bible written and illuminated by the Sarum Master has returned to Salisbury Cathedral 700 years after being written there.

Barry Humphries

One to watch: Christie’s to offer Barry Humphries collection in 2025

19 December 2024

One of the lesser known facts about the comedian, entertainer and TV personality Barry Humphries was his erudite art collecting.

169397 Seuss

Catching up with the Christmas catalogues

17 December 2024

Agatha Christie, Arthur Conan Doyle, Emily Dickinson and Toni Morrison: just a few of the notable authors whose work Peter Harrington is highlighting in this year's Christmas catalogue

Books and works on paper auction calendar, December 17 to January 16, 2024

16 December 2024

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

img_26-4.jpg

Suffragettes’ colour scheme revealed for the first time

16 December 2024

This printed crepe paper ‘programme’ marks one of the key Suffragette rallies of the Edwardian era.

img_27-1.jpg

Silk programmes signalled a stirring firework show

16 December 2024

The spectacular Victorian and Edwardian firework displays conducted by the venerable Mitcham firm of James Pain & Sons were often accompanied by special silk souvenir programmes.

img_27-3.jpg

Get to the point at £4000

16 December 2024

Among the most eagerly contested lots in a recent sale at Chorley’s (23.5/15/12.5/10% buyer’s premium) was a collection of early 20th century tattoo ephemera.

img_26-2.jpg

Education of the poor promoted through needlework and knitting

16 December 2024

Manual relating to church charity schools is the latest example of its type to impress in a saleroom

2672NEDI Bonhams KELMSCOTT CHAUCER

Complete collection of Kelmscott Press books comes for sale for the first time

09 December 2024

A complete collection of the books published by Kelmscott Press – the passion project of William Morris (1834-96) – will be offered at auction for the first time at Bonhams in New York on December 17.

Books and works on paper auction calendar, December 11-January 9, 2024

09 December 2024

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

img_22-1.jpg

The Ottoman world opened up thanks to historical and illustrated books

09 December 2024

Single-owner collection offered in south London reveals costumes and culture of the empire

img_26-1.jpg

Huge football collection kicks off in an auction series

02 December 2024

This month enthusiasts can get an auction taster of a sporting archive ranked as among the very best

Categories

News