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.


The Generall Historie of Virginia

US library comes to auction after college closure

25 July 2024

The library of Birmingham-Southern College, featuring early works on the history of North America and classics of science and literature, will be sold at Grant Zahajko Auctions in Davenport, Washington over two days on July 31-August 1.

Dedication To Lilian White From William Cody

Signed collection of Buffalo Bill biographies sell at Hansons

22 July 2024

Buffalo Bill biographies dedicated to UK tour partner sold by the latter’s family

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Pick of the Week: Recipe book cooks up saleroom storm

22 July 2024

Ralph ‘Randolphus’ Ayres is recorded as being head cook at New College, Oxford at various times in the 18th century.

British and Irish books and works on paper auctions, July 23-August 14, 2024

22 July 2024

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

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Sought-after signatures include Queen star and a Saudi king

22 July 2024

A landlord and tenancy agreement signed by Freddie Mercury in 1986 was among the highlights of the Autographs and Memorabilia at Chiswick Auctions (25/12% buyer’s premium).

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Key Mormon work was taken in the spirit intended

22 July 2024

First edition of key Mormon work lists Joseph Smith as ‘author and proprietor’ of text not ‘translator’

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Jack B Yeats fired his broadsides with help of Irish private press

22 July 2024

The Fonsie Mealy Chatsworth Summer Rare Books & Collectables Sale on July 30-31 includes a private collection of works by Jack B Yeats, The Cuala Press and modern Irish and English literature.

An Historical Journal of the Transactions at Port Jackson and Norfolk Island by John Hunter.

Crouch and Harrington set to exhibit at the Melbourne Rare Book Fair

19 July 2024

Detailed accounts from colonial settlers and a trove of radical erotica are just some of the offerings at Australia's rare book bonanza

White Star Line notice

Titanic interest: Rare White Star Line notice to Olympic passengers and a Carpathia bronze medal steam ahead at auction

18 July 2024

Duke's Summer Auction in Dorchester featured a remarkable notice issued by the White Star Line to passengers on board the RMS Olympic after the sinking of its sister ship, the Titanic.

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Poetry work that awakened the genius of John Keats

15 July 2024

Only 29 books from the library of John Keats are recorded - among them a 1679 printing of the collected works of the Elizabethan poet Edmund Spenser given to him by the artist Joseph Severn (1793-1879).

British and Irish book auctions: July 16-August 8, 2024

15 July 2024

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

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Illustration done on a grand scale: fantastic fish watercolours from naturalist Sarah Bowdich Lee

15 July 2024

Naturalist produced a fish-focused work featuring nearly 3000 original watercolours across 50 copies

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Original Harry Potter artwork takes a magical $1.6m result

08 July 2024

The original artwork for 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone' sold at Sotheby’s for $1.6m (£1.3m) plus 20% buyer’s premium in New York on June 26.

Books and works on paper auction calendar, July 10-August 3, 2024

08 July 2024

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

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Inscription helps Holtby result

08 July 2024

Little-known work by the Yorkshire author dating from 1927 is boosted by dedication to Suffragette friend

Books and works on paper auction calendar, July 3-31, 2024

01 July 2024

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

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Mystery writer's musings on meteorites prove a big hit at auction

01 July 2024

Hammer falls at 24 times the top estimate as Scandinavian buyer snaps up highly unusual collection

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Innovative Earth design ready for assembly

01 July 2024

Richard Buckminster Fuller (1895-1983) was one of 20th century USA’s most prominent architects, inventors and designers.

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Marx makes a dedication in Das Kapital

01 July 2024

The Rare Books sale at Ketterer Kunst (25/20/19% buyer’s premium) in Hamburg on May 27 included this first edition dedication copy of Das Kapital (1867).

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Personal signed Churchill letter to his old teacher adds up to £14,000

01 July 2024

“You were the only person who ever succeeded in teaching me mathematics or indeed - let me add - in making me work at anything that did not excite my interest. I regard my work at mathematics under your care as the most salutary mental discipline I ever received.”

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