Waverly on the 3rd: Rare Books with Maps and Atlases
- by Bruce E. McKinney
In a few days Waverly will be holding a Rare Books with Maps & Atlases sale. These are interesting events, a combination of serious descriptions and low estimates. Among the 461 lots there are various categories: The Medieval Literature Collection of Steven S. Evans [lots 1-34]; Children’s Books 35-84; Maps, Atlases & Views 85-128; Autographs 129-194; Fine Bindings 195-208; First Editions 209-258, Americana 259-307; Varia 308-420; and Illustrated Books 421-461. Auction houses have trouble these days getting the right balance of material, description and estimates. This sale looks right to me.
The estimates are low. Do not expect to get the better lots within the estimates. There is a growing school of thought that the audience will understand the actual value, which may be quite a bit higher than the high estimate. Maybe yes, maybe no. So to bid in this sale look at the auction records. They’ll tell you where the lots will likely land.
Many lots are complex, that is they contain more than one item and sometimes quite a few. Retail bidders often shun such lots but they often represent some of the best values. Look carefully at them.
Looking at the sale overall the categories of material are diverse, the polar opposite of the specialist sales that typically command a premium. The material in this sale may well equal what’s offered in specialist sales but because the range is broader both estimates and realizations tend to be lower. This suggests there will be some opportunities.
The general sales are fewer these days but continue to be important. The headlines tend to scream millions but the reality is that hundreds of thousands of very good books will cause barely a ripple in the public’s awareness as they pass through the rooms. That suggests there will be some bargains. There always are.
Whatever your view, if the sale is of interest you’ll need to move quickly. The sale is on December 3rd.
Doyle The Collection of Mary Tyler Moore June 4, 2025
Doyle The Collection of Mary Tyler Moore June 4, 2025
DOYLE: Peter Max, Portrait of Mary Tyler Moore (Versions 1,2, 5, 6), 2001. Estimate $10,000-15,000
DOYLE: The iconic screen-used wall-mounted "M" from The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Estimate $5,000-8,000
DOYLE: The Mary Tyler Moore Show by Al Hirschfeld. Estimate $4,000-6,000
Doyle The Collection of Mary Tyler Moore June 4, 2025
DOYLE: Annie Leibovitz presents Mary Tyler Moore and Dick Van Dyke for Vanity Fair. Estimate $4,000-6,000
DOYLE: Al Hirschfeld presents Mary Tyler Moore and Dick Van Dyke in the CBS Wednesday Night Lineup. Estimate $4,000-6,000
DOYLE: Richard McKenzie, Portrait of Mary Tyler Moore. Estimate $1,000-2,000
Doyle The Collection of Mary Tyler Moore June 4, 2025
DOYLE: Three Original Bill Hargate Costume Designs for The Mary Tyler Moore Hour. Estimate $600-800
DOYLE: The famous Bonnie and Clyde "Wanted" broadside. Estimate $500-800
DOYLE: Ticket to the Final Episode of the Mary Tyler Moore Show Estimate $400-600
Sotheby's Bibliothèque Jacques Dauchez - Autour de Dubuffet
5-19 June
Sotheby's Bibliothèque Jacques Dauchez - Autour de Dubuffet
5-19 June
Sotheby’s, June 5-19: Bissière, Roger. Cantique à notre frère soleil de saint François. 1954. 1,000 - 1,500 EUR
Sotheby’s, June 5-19: Céline, Louis-Ferdinand. La vie & l’œuvre de Philippe Ignace Semmelweis. 1924. Rare édition originale, avec envoi. Joint : La Quinine en thérapeutique, 1925. 4,000 - 6,000 EUR
Sotheby’s, June 5-19: Céline, Louis-Ferdinand. Mort à crédit. 1936. Édition originale. Bel exemplaire sur Hollande. 2,500 - 3,500 EUR
Sotheby's Bibliothèque Jacques Dauchez - Autour de Dubuffet
5-19 June
Sotheby’s, June 5-19: Chillida, Eduardo ─ Emil Cioran. Face aux instants. 1985. Un des 100 exemplaires sur Arches. Eau-forte signée. 600 - 800 EUR
Sotheby’s, June 5-19: Dubuffet, Jean. Ler dla canpane. L’Art Brut, 1948. Édition originale. 3,000 - 5,000 EUR
Sotheby’s, June 5-19: Dubuffet, Jean. L'Herne Jean Dubuffet. 1973. Un des 100 exemplaires du tirage de luxe avec une sérigraphie originale en couleurs. 1,000 - 1,500 EUR
Gros & Delettrez Livres & Manuscrits Arméniens Jeudi 12 juin 2025 Paris, Francis
Gros & Delettrez Livres & Manuscrits Arméniens Jeudi 12 juin 2025 Paris, Francis
Gros & Delettrez, June 12: BIBLE, Venise 1733, reliure arménienne
Gros & Delettrez, June 12: CHARAKNOTS, manuscrit XVIIe-XVIIIe siècle
