Rare Book Monthly Reviews - December - 2007 Issue

The William E. Boeing Library from Restoration Books

By Michael Stillman

We recently received an exceptional catalogue of the library of an exceptional man: Selections from the Library of William E. Boeing. Even those not familiar with the man will instantly recognize his name, synonymous with air travel. Boeing actually began his career in the timber business, where his late father had built substantial wealth. This led him to move to Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, now home of his namesake company's airplane manufacturing facilities. It was there that he witnessed an air show in 1910, which generated his interest in aviation, and de...

"Oklahoma!" from Gene Baade Books on the West

By Michael Stillman

Gene W. Baade Books on the West has issued their most extensive catalogue yet: "Oklahoma!" No, this is not a Rogers and Hammerstein musical. Rather, it is a textual. Offere...

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The World's Most Important Maps from the Arader Galleries

By Michael Stillman

Here is a catalogue with a heady title to live up to: The Most Important Maps Since the Dawn of Printing. It comes from the Arader Galleries, and it certainly is a remarkab...

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Western Americana from Thomas Goldwasser Rare Books

By Michael Stillman

Thomas A. Goldwasser Rare Books has issued a catalogue of Western Americana, Including Publications of the Book Club of California. We might add it also contains many print...

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Important Antiquarian Maps and Atlases from Martayan Lan

By Michael Stillman

Martayan Lan has just issued their Catalogue 40 of Fine Antique Maps and Atlases. This is a collection of groundbreaking works, with almost as many "firsts" as maps. The cat...

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Tales of the Old West from Old West Books

By Michael Stillman

Old West Books recently issued their 20th catalogue of Rare, Out of Print Books on the American West. Offered are almost 300 items and probably not a dull one in the lot. Th...

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Novels, Filmscripts, Poetry and More from Waverly Books

By Michael Stillman

Waverly Books has just issued what might be called its sesquicentennial edition: List 150. Waverly offers almost twice that many items, primarily novels, filmscripts, poetr...

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Historic, Mostly American Documents from Stuart Lutz

By Michael Stillman

Stuart Lutz Historic Documents recently issued a new catalogue of autographs and signed documents. Most of the signers are people you know, either by name or station (such a...

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Rare Mexicana (and American Southwest) from Plaza Books

By Michael Stillman

Plaza Books has issued their List 23, a selection of 31 items pertaining to Central America, primarily Mexico. Many items concern the American Southwest as well, as they go ...

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Poetry and Literature from Alexander Rare Books

By Michael Stillman

Alexander Rare Books has issued their Catalog Thirteen of Literary Firsts and Poetry. Among the features of this presentation are a collection of poetic broadsides, a sele...

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The Antiquariaat Forum in Boston

By Michael Stillman

The Antiquariaat Forum recently printed a Short Title List for its participation at the Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair. The Dutch bookseller includes a few more ...

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Antiquarian Law and History from the Lawbook Exchange

By Michael Stillman

The Lawbook Exchange has gathered together 118 Recent Acquisitions in Law and Legal History to present in their 52nd catalogue. Included are primarily antiquarian works, mo...

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Literature and Book Arts from the William Reese Co.

By Michael Stillman

Every once in awhile, the William Reese Company diverts from its normal course of catalogues of Americana and other works of antiquarian nonfiction. Catalogue 258 is one su...

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More Cinema, Firsts and Detectives from James Pepper Rare Books

By Michael Stillman


James Pepper Rare Books has issued Catalogue 167 in their continuing series of "literary first editions, mystery and detective fiction, rare cinema material, and assorted...

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Americana from Michael Brown Rare Books

By Michael Stillman

From Michael Brown Rare Books of Philadelphia comes their Catalog 45 of Americana. This latest collection offers 171 items, ranging from the 17th to the 20th century, thou...

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More Unusual Americana from David Lesser Antiquarian Books

By Michael Stillman

David M. Lesser Fine Antiquarian Books has issued their 101st catalogue of Rare Americana. Lesser regularly puts together collections of the unusual and uncommon relating ...

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Rare Book Monthly

  • Bonhams, Apr. 28 – May 7: Isaac Newton on chemistry and matter, and alchemy, Autograph Manuscript, "A Key to Snyders," 3 pp, after 1674. $100,000 - $150,000
    Bonhams, Apr. 28 – May 7: Exceptionally rare first printing of Plato's Timaeus. Florence, 1484. $50,000 - $80,000
    Bonhams, Apr. 28 – May 7: On the Philosophy of Self-Interest: Adam Smith's copy of Helvetius's De l'homme, Paris, 1773. $40,000 - $60,000
    Bonhams, Apr. 28 – May 7: "Magical Calendar of Tycho Brahe" - very rare hermetic broadside. Engraved by Merian for De Bry. c.1618. $30,000 - $50,000
    Bonhams, Apr. 28 – May 7: Author's presentation issue of Einstein's proof of Relativity, "Erklärung der Perihelbewegung des Merkur aus der allgemeinen Relativitätstheorie." 1915. $30,000 - $50,000
    Bonhams, Apr. 28 – May 7: First Latin edition of Maimonides' Guide for the Perplexed. Paris, 1520. $20,000 - $30,000.
    Bonhams, Apr. 28 – May 7: De Broglie manuscript on the nature of matter in quantum physics, 3 pp, 1954. $20,000 - $30,000
    Bonhams, Apr. 28 – May 7: Tesla autograph letter signed on electricty and electromagnetic theory. 1894. $20,000 - $30,000
    Bonhams, Apr. 28 – May 7: Heinrich Hertz scientific manuscript on his mentor Hermann Von Helmholtz, 1891. $20,000 - $30,000
    Bonhams, Apr. 28 – May 7: The greatest illustrated work in Alchemy: Micheal Maier's Atalanta Fugiens. Oppenheim, 1618. $30,000 - $50,000
    Bonhams, Apr. 28 – May 7: Illustrated Alchemical manuscript, a Mysterium Magnum of the Rosicurcians, 18th-century. $30,000 - $50,000
    Bonhams, Apr. 28 – May 7: Rare Largest Paper Presentation Copy of Newton's Principia, London, 1726. The third and most influential edition. $60,000 - $90,000
  • Doyle, May 1: Thomas Jefferson expresses fears of "a war of extermination" in Saint-Dominigue. $40,000 to $60,000.
    Doyle, May 1: An exceptional presentation copy of Fitzgerald's last book, in the first issue dust jacket. $25,000 to $35,000.
    Doyle, May 1: The rare first signed edition of Dorian Gray. $15,000 to $25,000.
    Doyle, May 1: The Prayer Book of Jehan Bernachier. $10,000 to $15,000.
    Doyle, May 1: Van Dyck's Icones Principum Virorum Doctorum. $10,000 to $15,000.
    Doyle, May 1: The magnificent Cranach Hamlet in the deluxe binding by Dõrfner. $7,000 to $10,000.
    Doyle, May 1: A remarkable unpublished manuscript of a voyage to South America in 1759-1764. $3,000 to $5,000.
    Doyle, May 1: Bouchette's monumental and rare wall map of Lower Canada. $12,000 to $18,000.
    Doyle, May 1: An rare original 1837 abolitionist woodblock. $8,000 to $12,000.
    Doyle, May 1: An important manuscript breviary in Middle Dutch. $15,000 to $25,000.
    Doyle, May 1: An extraordinary Old Testament manuscript, circa 1250. $20,000 to $30,000.
  • Gonnelli
    Auction 51
    Antique prints, paintings and maps
    May 14st 2024
    Gonnelli: Leonard Bramer, The descent from the cross, 1634. Starting price 3200€
    Gonnelli: Gustav Hjalmar de Morner Karel, Rome’s Carnival, 1820. Starting price 1000€
    Gonnelli: Various Authors, Mater Dolorosa, 1700. Starting price 200€
    Gonnelli: Giovanni Battista Piranesi, Carcere Oscura, 1790. Starting price 180€
    Gonnelli: Jan Brueghel, Marine fauna view, 1620 ca. Starting price 28000€
    Gonnelli: Ippolito Scarsella, Mary and Christ with Sant Rocco and Arch-Angel Michele,1615. Starting price 8000€
    Gonnelli: Hans Sebald Beham, Adam and Eve, 1543. Starting price 600€
    Gonnelli: Francesco Burani, Baccanale, 1630. Starting Price 280€
    Gonnelli: Giuseppe Maria Mitelli, Plance from Ventiquattr’ore, 1675. Starting price 800€
    Gonnelli: Giuseppe Angeli, Livorno’s Plan, 1793. Starting price 240€
    Gonnelli: XIV Century Artist, Capital “N” letter, 1350 ca. Starting price 340€
  • Sotheby’s
    Modern First Editions
    Available for Immediate Purchase
    Sotheby’s, Available Now: Winston Churchill. The Second World War. Set of First-Edition Volumes. 6,000 USD
    Sotheby’s, Available Now: A.A. Milne, Ernest H. Shepard. A Collection of The Pooh Books. Set of First-Editions. 18,600 USD
    Sotheby’s, Available Now: Salvador Dalí, Lewis Carroll. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Finely Bound and Signed Limited Edition. 15,000 USD
    Sotheby’s
    Modern First Editions
    Available for Immediate Purchase
    Sotheby’s, Available Now: Ian Fleming. Live and Let Die. First Edition. 9,500 USD
    Sotheby’s, Available Now: J.K. Rowling. Harry Potter Series. Finely Bound First Printing Set of Complete Series. 5,650 USD
    Sotheby’s, Available Now: Ernest Hemingway. A Farewell to Arms. First Edition, First Printing. 4,200 USD

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