Rare Book Monthly Reviews - November - 2009 Issue

Travel Books from Bernard J. Shapero Rare Books

Travel Books from Bernard J. Shapero Rare Books

By Michael Stillman

Bernard J. Shapero Rare Books has issued their annual exploration catalogue: Travel 2009. The common point is that most of these travels began in Europe, principally England, but from there proceeded to the four corners of the round globe. Every continent, Antarctica included, gets its due. You won't find any air travel here, and very little via internal combustion engine. These explorations are overwhelmingly by boat, horse, and foot. What we find here are discoveries of new worlds as seen through the eyes of Europeans, who were fascinated by the customs, dress, and...

French and European Antiquarian Books from Librairie Thomas-Scheler

French and European Antiquarian Books from Librairie Thomas-Scheler

By Michael Stillman

Librairie Thomas-Scheler has issued their 38th catalogue of Livres Anciens, or "antiquarian books" to those who speak English. This catalogue will require some familiarity wi...

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Autographs from Famed Leaders, Artists, Musicians, Writers and More from David Schulson Autographs

Autographs from Famed Leaders, Artists, Musicians, Writers and More from David Schulson Autographs

By Michael Stillman

David Schulson Autographs has issued Catalog 142 of exceptional autographs and signed documents. All types of notable people are represented here - political leaders, musicia...

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New and On Sale Americana from Clark Rare Books

New and On Sale Americana from Clark Rare Books

By Michael Stillman

Clark Rare Books has issued its 940th catalogue, New Acquisitions and Inventory Clearance Sale. As the title suggests, this is a two-part catalogue. The first 80 items are al...

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Great Writers, Actors, Crooks and More from James Pepper Rare Books

Great Writers, Actors, Crooks and More from James Pepper Rare Books

By Michael Stillman

James Pepper Rare Books has issued Catalogue 186 in a familiar series. The Santa Barbara bookseller generally features literature, science and detective fiction, and items re...

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The Unusual, Odd and Inexpensive from Peter L. Masi Books

The Unusual, Odd and Inexpensive from Peter L. Masi Books

By Michael Stillman

Peter L. Masi Books has published Catalog 202, a collection of odd and obscure publications priced for any budget. What we have here are publications by various organizations...

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Important Signed Documents from the Raab Collection

Important Signed Documents from the Raab Collection

By Michael Stillman

The Raab Collection has published Catalog 61 of signed historic documents. This catalogue includes many important, some momentous documents from (primarily) American history....

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Cook's Final Voyage from Hordern House

Cook's Final Voyage from Hordern House

The latest catalogue from Australia's Hordern House is entitled Courage and Perseverance. Cook's Final Voyage. This refers to the third and final voyage of Captain James Cook. Cook was likely Engla...

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Inscribed Books from James Cummins Bookseller

Inscribed Books from James Cummins Bookseller

By Michael Stillman

James Cummins, Bookseller has issued a catalogue entitled From the Author. At first glance, that might seem obvious. All books come from an author. However, what we have here...

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History of Ideas from Rudi Thoemmes Rare Books

History of Ideas from Rudi Thoemmes Rare Books

By Michael Stillman

Rudi Thoemmes Rare Books has issued their Catalogue Twenty, History of Ideas. Offered are several centuries worth of thinking - philosophers, theologians, scientists and othe...

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Travel from Gert Jan Bestebreurtje Rare Books

Travel from Gert Jan Bestebreurtje Rare Books

By Michael Stillman

Gert Jan Bestebreurtje Rare Books has issued their Catalogue 139 Travel. Bestebreurtje is located in the Netherlands, but nevertheless this catalogue contains much material r...

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America Before 1700 from the William Reese Company

America Before 1700 from the William Reese Company

By Michael Stillman

The William Reese Company's latest catalogue takes a look at early to the earliest Americana: America Before 1700. It starts from the days before America was even a gleam in...

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The Strange and the Serious from Garrett Scott, Bookseller

The Strange and the Serious from Garrett Scott, Bookseller

By Michael Stillman

Recently arrived is Catalogue Twenty-Four from Garrett Scott, Bookseller. Scott's catalogues are always among the most unusual and entertaining you will find. They are filled...

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Recent Acquisitions at the Veatchs Arts of the Book

Recent Acquisitions at the Veatchs Arts of the Book

By Michael Stillman

From the Veatchs Arts of the Book comes their Catalogue 64: Recent Acquisitions. The Veatches catalogues feature examples of the book arts - fine press works, exceptional bi...

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The Zaehnsdorf Reference Library from Oak Knoll Books

The Zaehnsdorf Reference Library from Oak Knoll Books

By Michael Stillman

Oak Knoll Books has issued a new catalogue entitled The Reference Library of the Zaehnsdorf Company. The Zaehnsdorf Company was a venerable English bookbinder, in business fo...

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Rare Book Monthly

  • Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Letter Signed ("Martinus Luther") to His Friend the Theologian Gerhard Wiskamp ("Gerardo Xantho Lampadario"). $100,000 - $150,000.
    Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: An Exceptionally Fine Copy of Austenís Emma: A Novel in Three Volumes. $40,000 - $60,000.
    Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Presentation Copy of Ernest Hemmingwayís A Farewell to Arms for Edward Titus of the Black Mankin Press. $30,000 - $50,000.
    Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Manuscript Signed Integrally for "The Songs of Pooh," by Alan Alexander. $30,000 - $50,000.
    Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Manuscript of "Three Fragments from Gˆtterd‰mmerung" by Richard Wagner. $30,000 - $50,000.
    Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Original Preliminary Artwork, for the First Edition of Snow Crash. $20,000 - $30,000.
    Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Letter Signed ("T.R. Malthus") to Economist Nassau Senior on Wealth, Labor and Adam Smith. $20,000 - $30,000.
    Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides Finely Bound by Michael Wilcox. $20,000 - $30,000.
    Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: First Edition of Lewis and Clark: Travels to the Source of the Missouri River and Across the American Continent to the Pacific Ocean. $8,000 - $12,000.
    Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Original Artwork for the First Edition of Neal Stephenson's Groundbreaking Novel Snow Crash. $100,000 - $150,000.
    Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: A Complete Set Signed Deluxe Editions of King's The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King. $8,000 - $12,000.
    Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Letter Signed ("John Adams") to James Le Ray de Chaumont During the Crucial Years of the Revolutionary War. $8,000 - $12,000.
  • Sotheby’s
    Book Week
    December 9-17, 2025
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 17: Francesco Colonna. Hypnerotomachie, Paris, 1546, Parisian calf by Wotton Binder C for Marcus Fugger. €200,000 to €300,000.
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 17: Nausea. De principiis dialectices Gorgias, and other works, Venice, 1523, morocco gilt for Cardinal Campeggio. €3,000 to €4,000.
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 17: Billon. Le fort inexpugnable de l'honneur, Paris, 1555, Parisian calf gilt for Peter Ernst, Graf von Mansfeld. €120,000 to €180,000.
    Sotheby’s
    Book Week
    December 9-17, 2025
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 16: Salinger, J.D. The Graham Family archive, including autographed letters, an inscribed Catcher, a rare studio photograph of the author, and more. $120,000 to $180,000.
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 16: [Austen, Jane]. A handsome first edition of Sense and Sensibility, the author's first novel. $60,000 to $80,000.
    Sotheby’s, Dec. 16: Massachusetts General Court. A powerful precursor to the Declaration of Independence: "every Act of Government … without the Consent of the People, is … Tyranny." $40,000 to $60,000.
  • Heritage Auctions
    Rare Books Signature Auction
    December 15, 2025
    Heritage, Dec. 15: John Donne. Poems, By J. D. With Elegies on the Author's Death. London: M[iles]. F[lesher]. for John Marriot, 1633.
    Heritage, Dec. 15: Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
    Heritage, Dec. 15: F. Scott Fitzgerald. Tender is the Night. A Romance.
    Heritage, Dec. 15: Bram Stoker. Dracula. Westminster: Archibald Constable & Co., 1897.
    Heritage, Dec. 15: Jerry Thomas. How to Mix Drinks, or the Bon-Vivant's Companion, Containing Clear and Reliable Directions for Mixing All the Beverages Used in the United States…
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