Commencing Monday evening, April 16th, and continuing Tuesday, the 17th, Christies, in New York,
orchestrated an immensely successful sale of the Frank S. Streeter Library including important
navigation, Pacific voyages, cartography and science. The sale yielded $16,421,820 and dozens of
broken hearts. Neither the auction house nor the consignors were among the unhappy. The
aggregate low estimate gave hope to all though it turned out three times that number would be the
average result: almost $30,000 a lot. As happens from time to time, exceptional material and
timing combine with thorough description to produce a perfect storm of bidding. Such was how it
was over this auction's three memorable sessions. We were in New York for the run-up and sale and
both here (hi) or here (low), and at the end of this article, provide links to a 10 minute film about it.
Comparison of material purchased at the Thomas Streeter sales in the late 1960s and resold here,
as well as material purchased at the Penrose sale in 1971 and resold here are separately provided
at the end of this 1,658 word article.
By our estimate more than a hundred individuals raised their paddles in the room, bid by phone,
left order bids to be executed by the house and bid on-line. At the first session we counted 102
hopefuls, well-wishers and curious in the auction room [not including Christie's extensive staff]
and in the second session Tuesday morning an ebb and flow crowd of about 85. Even as late as lot
492 in the third and final session 46 remained. Even those who either didn't bid or win seemed
happy: a reminder of why book prices are written in pencil.
The occasion was memorable for many reasons. Frank Streeter is the son of Thomas Streeter, one of
the most famous American book collectors of the 20th century. The father's collection, 4,421 lots
in seven parts was sold by Parke-Bernet in 1966-1969 and brought the then exceptional total of
$3,104,982, an amount about equal to the buyer's premium at his son's sale of 552 lots:
$2,702,970. Times have changed.
In the late 1960's auction houses primarily sold to dealers and dealers often stepped aside to let
their brethren buy advantageously. In his time Thomas Streeter countered this strategy with his
own, providing generous stipends to libraries to contend with dealers for material. In doing so
he followed the strategy of George Brinley who, in the 19th century, sent his collection of 9,450
lots to auction at Geo. A. Leavitt & Co. in New York while providing funds for bidding to a wide
group of institutions.
No such inducements to bid were needed this time. Auction houses now carefully describe, provide
help and advice and occasional extended terms. As a result, for great material, auction houses
now regularly attract bidders from around the world.
Gros & Delettrez, June 12: LETTRE ENCYCLIQUE, manuscrit XIXe siècle
Gros & Delettrez, June 12: NOUVEAU TESTAMENT, Amsterdam 1668, reliure arménienne
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, 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
