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.


British and Irish book auctions: February 7-28, 2023

06 February 2023

Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions

img_24-1.jpg

Jane Austen, a compact collection sold at Dominic Winter auction

30 January 2023

Small group of the author’s ever-popular works makes a big impression at Gloucestershire saleroom

img_25-1.jpg

Ray Bradbury double offering

30 January 2023

Lot offers US editions of two science-fiction and fantasy classics by the US writer

img_19-2.jpg

Medal collectors increasingly keen on extras

30 January 2023

In its earliest days flying was frequently lethal, in and out of combat.

img_29-5.jpg

5 Questions: Book dealer Thomas J Symonds

30 January 2023

Thomas J Symonds of Symonds Rare Books has been trading online since 2017 and previously had a shop in Dusseldorf (until 2002).

British and Irish book auctions, January 30-February 9

30 January 2023

Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions.

Breeches Bible

‘Breeches’ Bible buoyant in Belfast with alluring New World pilgrim provenance

23 January 2023

Copies of the 1615 reprint of the Geneva or ‘Breeches’ Bible are not too scarce.

British and Irish book auctions: January 24-February 1

23 January 2023

Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions.

img_26-1.jpg

Tarka the Otter author makes a sale splash

23 January 2023

Numerous works by Henry Williamson including fascinating inscriptions and annotations were offered in Chichester saleroom

img_27-2.jpg

Pretty children's book comes with morality message

23 January 2023

Published by John Newbery c.1770, 'A Little Pretty Pocket Book…' and its companion 'Little Song Book' is a very small work indeed at little more than 3in (7.5cm) tall, but the latter includes some 54 woodcut illustrations and accompanying verses related to children’s games and pastimes.

Commemorative glove

Remarkable archive of Quaker whaling family comes to Surrey auction

23 January 2023

The visit of ‘Revolutionary Wars’ hero Gilbert du Motler, the Marquis of Lafayette, to the US in 1824 spawned a large number of commemoratives.

img_26-3.jpg

Nicolas Robert hits bloom time at £355,000

23 January 2023

Right at the top of the price lists for a London sale of a second portion of the library of Henry Rogers Broughton, 2nd Earl Fairhaven, was a lot that presented a handsomely bound collection of 15 very fine watercolour on vellum drawings of flowers.

img_27-1.jpg

Deeply personal Plath editions offered at Dominic Winter auction

23 January 2023

The auction at Dominic Winter (20% buyer’s premium) on December 15 included two presentation first editions by Sylvia Plath.

2577PV Edit Duke Windsor Southon

Acrimonious royal family split detailed in letters now up at auction

18 January 2023

Not THAT split, but the 1936 abdication of Edward VIII which also caused recriminations, as letters at Catherine Southon's sale show - plus other auctions offer many unpublished photos of Princess Di and paintings said to be by Queen Victoria.

img_25-3.jpg

Churchill gathers sale demand

16 January 2023

An inscription bearing Winston Churchill’s signature and dated 1948 found in a single volume of his famous history of the Second World War that came to auction in Cumbria was believed to be authentic.

img_24-1.jpg

Momentous lots of Irish history sold at Fonsie Mealy

16 January 2023

Easter Rising republic proclamation and Wolfe Tone’s revolutionary tract are sold on home turf.

img_24-3.jpg

Mystery lot goes from £40-60 guide to £24,000

16 January 2023

A December 6 auction in Exeter was dominated by a lot estimated at just £40-60 but sold instead at £24,000.

img_25-1.jpg

Presentation copy of Paddington Bear first edition sells to American bidder

16 January 2023

Having featured prominently on television in a specially made part of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, Paddington Bear hardly needs any more publicity.

British and Irish book auctions: January 17-February 4, 2023

16 January 2023

Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions.

img_21-3.jpg

Letter details horrors of ‘Black Hole of Calcutta’

09 January 2023

Thought by the auction house to be an early copy, a letter that details the horrors of the ‘Black Hole of Calcutta’ in 1756 was sold for £2900.

Categories

News