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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Arts journal page displays pioneering print

24 February 2025

Victorian arts journal was first to be illustrated with a photograph to promote Fox Talbot book

Christie's auction

Five highlights from Christie’s auction of the Barry Humphries collection

20 February 2025

“Hello Possums”. Bidders were greeted by Dame Edna Everage’s imitable phrase as Christie’s auctioneer Piers Boothman took to the rostrum to offer the extraordinary collection of the late Barry Humphries (1934-2023).

Works in Architecture by Robert and James Adam

Book that inspired neoclassical architecture in the UK to appear at Dreweatts

17 February 2025

'Works in Architecture' by Robert and James Adam is considered by many as the 18th century’s most important book on architecture

Books and works on paper auction calendar, February 19 to March 6, 2025

17 February 2025

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

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Royal Doulton workshop design books fly to 14 times estimate

17 February 2025

Estimated at £200-300 but sold for £4200 at Charterhouse (25% buyer’s premium) in Sherborne, Dorset, were two design books from the Royal Doulton workshop floor.

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Martin Luther 1534 Bible answers saleroom’s prayers in first auction appearance for over a century

17 February 2025

A 16th century bible in German was the most expensive book sold at auction in the UK in December.

Marye The Quene

Mary I’s Wyatt Rebellion response letter doubles estimate

12 February 2025

A letter from Mary I (1516-1558) to privy councillor William Paget on the outbreak of Wyatt's Rebellion doubled its lower estimate at Edinburgh auction house Lyon & Turnbull.

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Lord of the Rings full signed set makes six figures at Forum

10 February 2025

Forum Auctions has set a record for a copy of JRR Tolkien’s 'The Lord of the Rings'.

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Auctioneer rates previously unseen Winnie the Pooh collection as a career highlight

10 February 2025

“I’ve been an auctioneer for 30 years now and it took me two hours to sell 34 lots – so you get the idea of the interest and levels of bidders.”

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Book fair opportunity to celebrate Austen birthday

10 February 2025

This year is the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth in 1775 and among the many celebratory events is Miss Austen, a four-episode drama currently airing on BBC 1, which is based on the novelist’s sister Cassandra.

Books and works on paper auction calendar, February 12 to March 5, 2025

10 February 2025

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

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The sage of salmon fishing produced a still popular classic

03 February 2025

When a copy of 'The Ristigouche and Its Salmon Fishing' by Dean Sage came up for auction at Bonhams New York in 2011 it was described “the rarest and most beautiful book on salmon fishing and with an important chapter on the collecting of angling literature”.

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Pioneering female author Burney makes her entrance

03 February 2025

A copy of pioneering female author’s novel Evelina appeared at auction for first time in a decade

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Elgar shows his admiration for Kingdom performers

03 February 2025

A signed copy of Novello’s original octavo edition of Edward Elgar’s The Kingdom appeared in Plymouth Auction Rooms’ (20% buyer’s premium) New Year’s Day Collectors timed online sale.

Books and works on paper auction calendar, February 5-27, 2025

03 February 2025

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

Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry

TEFAF Restoration Fund awards €50,000 to book of hours in historic French collection

28 January 2025

This year’s TEFAF Restoration Fund goes to the Musée Condé, Château de Chantilly, which houses a remarkable historic single-owner collection, and specifically to the outstanding medieval manuscript 'Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry'.

Street Life in London book

Early photographs on life in Victorian London to appear at auction

28 January 2025

Street Life in London was one of the first examples of photojournalism, captured by Scottish photographer John Thomson and writer Adolphe Smith in 1877

Bob Dylan Tambourine Man Lyrics

Bob Dylan's Mr Tambourine Man lyrics sell at auction

28 January 2025

Bob Dylan’s draft lyrics for 1965 hit 'Mr Tambourine Man' sold for $400,000 (£320,800) plus 27% buyer’s premium at Julien’s Auctions in Nashville, US, earlier this month.

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Great Bible ignores condition issues to bring a £7200 hammer price

27 January 2025

The estimate of £1000-1500 reflected the condition of an Elizabethan ‘Great Bible’ offered at Cotswold firm Wotton Auction Rooms (20% buyer’s premium).

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Science fiction and fantasy debut sale attracts stellar prices

27 January 2025

Original cover artwork, antiquarian books and more modern novels made up a sci-fi and fantasy selection at a London saleroom

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