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Articles - February 2010 Issue


Book Auction Prices Declined in 2009...But... - By Michael Stillman By Michael Stillman A detailed look at book auction results for 2009 reveals that virtually every important number was down. The most telling number - median sales price - was down. Sell through rates were down. The ratio of items sold above the high estimate to those sold below the low estimate was down. The number of auctions held and number of items offered were down. So why are we celebrating these seemingly woeful results? The...

Book Auction Prices Declined in 2009...But...

- By Michael Stillman

By Michael Stillman A detailed look at book auction results for 2009 reveals that virtually every important number was down. The most telling number - median sales price - was down. Sell through rates were down. The ratio of items sold above the high estimate to those sold below the low estimate was down. The number of auctions held and number of items offered were down. So why are we celebrating these seemingly woeful results? The...


A Page from the Future - By Bruce McKinney By Bruce McKinney For years, the changing economics of booksellers’ catalogues have caused headaches for booksellers. In decades past, such catalogues were often substantial; the number...	Bookselling - It's a Business: Year and Decade in Review - By Susan Halas By Susan Halas & Chris Volk Many independent booksellers found 2009 was a better than expected year with a stronger than expected finish. It was also...
Heritage: Two Sales in Beverly Hills - By Bruce McKinney By Bruce McKinney Heritage Auction Galleries of Dallas, the ascendant auction house rising from the flat lands of Texas, is entering the west coast collectibles auction...	In The News: "Tome Raider" In Jail Again, Book Returned 90 Years Late, New Publications - By Michael Stillman By Michael Stillman It was a most unmerry Christmas for book thief William Jacques. Jacques is England's notorious "Tome Raider" of the 1990s, who allegedly did...
To Reuse or Not to Reuse, That is the Question - By Karen Wright By Karen Wright Wow! When I put a call out to two different booksellers' organizations, IOBA and my ABS group, asking for comments and opinions...	LA: A Hot Spot for Books in February - By Bruce McKinney By Bruce McKinney The ABAA, the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America, stages its biennial Book Fair in Los Angeles at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza from...
Printed Books vs. E-Readers: We're Ready to Make a Call - By Michael Stillman By Michael Stillman There were several developments and news items concerning electronic readers appearing over the past few weeks, and while we will attempt to summarize...	The Loot Returns - By Bruce McKinney By Bruce McKinney Sotheby's recently completed an exhibition of material from the James S. Copley collection of printed and manuscript Americana that will be sold beginning...
Rare Book Library Sells 3,700 Book Collection - By Michael Stillman By Michael Stillman It was one of the largest, single owner book sales in recent memory, but it passed by virtually unnoticed. This was not an...	Important Maps to test the Market - By Bruce McKinney By Bruce McKinney In a day or two Sotheby's will add an auction to its calendar. It will be the necessary next step for Frank...
British Lighthouse Board Sells Collection of Early Voyage Books - By Michael Stillman By Michael Stillman Much of a distinguished institutional book collection, hundreds of years in the making, went up for sale in January, with the results much...	Eight New Catalogues Reviewed This Month This month we review eight new booksellers' catalogues. David Lesser Antiquarian Books focuses on Americana, while Clark Rare Books features primarily the American West. Librairie...
A Winter Catalogue from Sotheran's By Michael Stillman Sotheran's, the British bookseller now almost 250 years old, has released a brand new catalogue, A Winter Miscellany 2009/2010. Over the years, Sotheran's...	Rare Americana of the 18th and 19th Centuries from David Lesser Antiquarian Books By Michael Stillman David M. Lesser Fine Antiquarian Books has issued their 112th catalogue of Rare Americana, and as expected, it is another collection of fascinating...
The American West from Clark Rare Books By Michael Stillman Clark Rare Books has issued their Catalog 941 of Americana, The West, and General. This catalogue includes new acquisitions along with items from...	Mostly French Antiquarian Books from Librairie Thomas-Scheler By Michael Stillman We recently received catalogue 39 of Librarie Thomas Scheler's series of Livres Anciens, or Antiquarian Books. These are primarily books in the French...
Legal Works from The Lawbook Exchange By Michael Stillman The Lawbook Exchange has issued a new catalogue for legal collectors, scholars, and others interested in the law. Most of the 200+ items...	Children's Books from Aleph-Bet By Michael Stillman Aleph-Bet Books recently issued their Catalogue 93 of Children's Books and Illustrated Books. Those familiar with Aleph-Bet's catalogues will recognize it instantly. As...
Literature, Film and More from James Pepper Rare Books By Michael Stillman James Pepper Rare Books has issued Catalogue 189 in their ongoing series. Their specialties are books related to film and the theater, mystery...	Unusual American Books and Pamphlets from Garrett Scott, Bookseller By Michael Stillman Garrett Scott, Bookseller, has issued his 26th catalogue of American Books and Pamphlets. Here you will find the odd and the obscure, or...
Fine Books and Manuscripts from The 19th Century Shop By Michael Stillman The 19th Century Shop has issued its Catalogue 17 of fine books and manuscripts. This is not a subject specific catalogue, but rather...	.