Books & Periodicals

“I get loads and loads of emails and calls all the time from people whose eyes have lit up when they see those words ‘first edition’…”

Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions running on thesaleroom.com

The membership figures for the PBFA (Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association) are looking robust with 25 new members in the past 12 months, bringing the total to around 400.

A photo album containing 60 cabinet card photos of late 19th and early 20th century circus acts was among the highlights of an August 27 sale in Sarasota, Florida, conducted by Freedom Auction Company in conjunction with the Circus Historical Society.

A group of four lots being sold by the family of the former foreign editor of The Daily Mail includes items relating to the first direct flight across the Atlantic as well as Malcolm Campbell’s Blue Bird 1933 land speed record.

A 19th century document referencing Elias Howe Jr’s patent for the first modern sewing machine sold for more than 100 times its estimate at Devin Moisan’s (25% buyer’s premium) sale in Epping, New Hampshire.

This medieval document with a royal seal attached amounts to a pardon granted by Henry IV (1367-1413) to John Barlawe of the manor of Barlow in Chorlton-Cum-Hardy (now suburban Manchester).

Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions

A previously unrecorded 18th century manuscript containing 75 pieces of traditional Scottish music sold for £5000 at Lyon & Turnbull (plus 26% buyer’s premium).

Extensive selection of the long-running cricket guides on offer at auction runs up a market test

A wistful and chatty letter from Charlotte Brontë to her editor William S Williams comes for sale in California on September 7.

Estimated at £300-500, a group of five hand-coloured prints of early 19th century Canada sold for £8500 at Gorringe’s (25% buyer’s premium) in Lewes.

Latest slice of a ‘magnificent library’ that covered the development of book illustrations

Our regular listing of UK and Irish book auctions

The original working lyrics for 'Heartbreak Hotel' carry an estimate of $200,000-220,000 at GWS Auctions’ sale titled Artifacts of Hollywood & Music in Agoura Hills, California, on August 26.

This handwritten volume bound in maroon calf boards with brass clasp is titled inside The Minute Book of The Auld Lang Syne Sketching Club.

'Theatre d’Agriculture et Mesnages des Champs' issued in 1600 is the first major work on French agronomy.

Refugees in Chelsea was written by Henry James (1843-1916) to help the local Chelsea Committee to raise funds in the US to start an industry for crippled Belgian soldiers.

In ATG No 2601 we reported on a penknife with over 100 folding blades and accessories made for exhibition by George Wolstenholm of Sheffield.