The Historical Auction Series No.2 The H. Bradley Martin Sale 1989-1990
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[On summarizing the import of the Martin sale:] It’s one of the great sales ever in America and probably the greatest sale in America of an American library since the Hoe sale.
In conclusion, the H. Bradley Martin sale of 1989-1990 was a terribly significant sale of a stupendously varied and robust library that realized some major funds as well as publicity for Sotheby’s and for Martin’s executors. It also led H. Bradley Martin into the historic pantheon of legendary great bookmen. From it, we can surmise that book collecting on a massive scale and also the book auctioning industry was/were still alive and well in late 20th century America. We can certainly hope and make an educated guess that this is still the case, that out there are future potential H. Bradley Martins quietly acquiring, expanding, and nurturing their collections for future sales.
Perhaps the best way to end this article is with a brief tribute to supporters of H. Bradley Martin that have gone as yet unmentioned, namely his wife and his family. The Introduction to Part I (Audubon) of the Martin sale catalogue refers directly to Martin’s family: “Throughout, Mr. Martin was supported and encouraged by his wife and children. ‘I suppose we were one of the few families to consider the care and cleaning of books a favorite activity,’ Mrs. Martin says. ‘We loved working together and we rejoiced with each new addition.’” [Sale 5870/The Martin Library, Part I: Audubon/The Library of H. Bradley Martin/John James Audubon/Magnificent Books and Manuscripts (Tuesday, August 6, 1989)]. And Mrs. Jacqueline Martin, Martin’s widow, contributes a touching preface to the ninth and final catalogue that is worth setting off by itself and pondering – for, as any good bookman (or woman) knows, true collecting is impossible without the genuine support of your spouse and/or family:
With this, the ninth volume, the catalogue of Bradley’s library is complete. It has been a monumental undertaking, one that has been both rewarding and exhilarating at times, but one that has created a vital part of Bradley’s legacy. Next to his family, his books were dearest to his heart, and I am grateful that the collection as a whole is now recorded for all who share his love of books.
No matter how difficult I have found the dispersal of the collection, I do find comfort and a sense of peace in the fact that these books that Bradley loved so dearly are now being loved again by others. I try to compare it to growing seeds in a garden where they will continue to grow and be nourished.
Jacqueline A. Martin, New York, April 1990 [Preface, Sale 6036/The Martin Library, Part IX: Books and Illuminated Manuscripts/The Library of H. Bradley Martin/Highly Important Books and Illuminated Manuscripts (Thursday, June 14, 1990).]
Sotheby’s: The Shem Tov Bible, 1312 | A Masterpiece from the Golden Age of Spain. Sold: 6,960,000 USD
Sotheby’s: Ten Commandments Tablet, 300-800 CE | One of humanity's earliest and most enduring moral codes. Sold: 5,040,000 USD
Sotheby’s: William Blake | Songs of Innocence and of Experience. Sold: 4,320,000 USD
Sotheby’s: The Declaration of Independence | The Holt printing, the only copy in private hands. Sold: 3,360,000 USD
Sotheby's Sell Your Fine Books & Manuscripts
Sotheby’s: Thomas Taylor | The original cover art for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Sold: 1,920,000 USD
Sotheby’s: Machiavelli | Il Principe, a previously unrecorded copy of the book where modern political thought began. Sold: 576,000 GBP
Sotheby’s: Leonardo da Vinci | Trattato della pittura, ca. 1639, a very fine pre-publication manuscript. Sold: 381,000 GBP
Sotheby’s: Henri Matisse | Jazz, Paris 1947, the complete portfolio. Sold: 312,000 EUR
Swann, Apr. 10: Lot 1: Bob Dylan, his high school classmate's yearbook with his senior portrait, signed and inscribed to her, 1959. $10,000 to $20,000.
Swann, Apr. 10: Lot 4: Various entertainers, Group of 30 items, signed or inscribed, various dates. $1,500 to $2,500.
Swann, Apr. 10: Lot 27: John Adams, Autograph Letter Signed to Benjamin Rush introducing Archibald Redford, Paris, 1783. $35,000 to $50,000.
Swann, Apr. 10: Lot 36: Robert Gould Shaw, Autograph Letter Signed to his father from Camp Andrew, Boston, 1861. $10,000 to $15,000.
Swann, Apr. 10: Lot 53: Martin Luther King Jr., Time magazine cover, signed and inscribed "Best Wishes," 1957. $5,000 to $7,500.
Swann, Apr. 10: Lot 127: Paul Gauguin, Autograph Letter regarding payment for paintings, with woodcut letterhead, 1900. $6,000 to $9,000.
Swann, Apr. 10: Lot 169: Suck: First European Sex Paper, complete group of eight issues, 1969-1974. $800 to $1,200.
Swann, Apr. 10: Lot 173: Black Panthers, The Racist Dog Policemen Must Withdraw Immediately From Our Communities, poster, 1969. $2,000 to $3,000.
Swann, Apr. 10: Lot 187: Marc Attali & Jacques Delfau, Les Erotiques du Regard, first edition, Paris, 1968. $300 to $500.
Swann, Apr. 10: Lot 213: Andy Warhol, Warhol's Index Book, first printing, New York, 1967. $800 to $1,200.
Swann, Apr. 10: Lot 215: Cookie Mueller, Archive of 17 items, including 4 items inscribed and signed. $3,000 to $4,000.
Swann, Apr. 10: Lot 249: Jamie Reid, The Ten Lessons / The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle; Sex Pistols, chromogenic print with collage, signed, circa 1980. $20,000 to $30,000.
