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.


Johann Sebastian Bach manuscript

‘A testament to elegance’: Bach manuscript goes to Bodleian in lieu of inheritance tax

15 March 2024

A rare autograph manuscript by composer Johann Sebastian Bach has been acquired by the University of Oxford’s Bodleian Libraries.

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Signatures provide a roll call of British PMs from Robert Walpole to Rishi

11 March 2024

A private collection comprising the signatures of every one of Britain’s prime ministers sold for £8000 as part of a designated timed online sale of Autographs and Memorabilia.

British and Irish book auctions, March 13-April 10, 2024

11 March 2024

Our regular listing of upcoming UK and Irish books and works of paper sales

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Dickens work makes far more than expectations

11 March 2024

One of the stand-out results at a three-day auction of a huge American book collection came for a very British lot.

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Conan Doyle appears in detail as second part of dedicated collection comes to auction

11 March 2024

Chicago sale offers more than 300 works related to the British author amassed by US collectors

British and Irish book auctions, March 5-24, 2024

04 March 2024

Our regular listing of UK and Irish books and works on paper auctions

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De Medici letter reveals Pope appointment plot

04 March 2024

This single-sheet letter was written by Catherine de Medici (1519-89) to the ambassador to Spain.

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Map gives a one-sided religious global view

04 March 2024

John Nicholson’s (25% buyer’s premium) Fine Paintings sale in Fernhurst on February 20 included a good example of The Pictorial Missionary Map of the World - a rarity that appears at auction perhaps once in every decade.

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Memorabilia from a famous 1913 show in US is now highly sought after

04 March 2024

The 'International Exhibition of Modern Art' held at the 69th Regiment Armory building in New York from February 15 to March 15, 1913, ushered in a new era for the art market.

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Original Alastair illustration for Oscar Wilde edition soars above estimate

04 March 2024

The aristocratic German artist, composer, dancer, mime, poet, singer and translator Hans Henning Otto Harry Baron von Voigt (1887-1969) is best known by his pen name. From 1914 he went simply by the pseudonym Alastair.

Antarctic expedition letters

Letters from 1901 Antarctic explorers show warm feelings for their earlier hosts in New Zealand

26 February 2024

A long-forgotten group of letters written by senior members of Scott and Shackleton’s first trailblazing 1901 expedition to the Antarctic has been discovered.

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Obituary: Book dealer Gerald William Mosdell (1935-2024)

26 February 2024

Friends, family, customers and booksellers from across the UK gathered in Colwyn Bay on February 12 to say their last goodbyes to Gerry Mosdell.

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Dazzling results for de Beaumont library at Bonhams

26 February 2024

Impressive library of renowned collector and expert includes sought-after designs by women binders

British and Irish book auctions, February 27-March 23, 2024

26 February 2024

Our regular listing of UK and Irish books and works on paper sales.

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Books and photos boom but ephemera fairs down in number

26 February 2024

Themed fairs are an added reason to head for Etc Fairs’ events held in London at the Holiday Inn in Bloomsbury WC1.

Framed historiated initials triptych

Pick of the week: Collection from book dealer John Percival Love woos buyers

19 February 2024

Rediscovered books and manuscripts that once belonged to former antiquarian book dealer John Percival Love and had been stored away in a bank vault for nearly 50 years captivated collectors and the trade alike at auction.

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Mail recovered from Titanic casualty

19 February 2024

The British and US postal clerks aboard transatlantic liners had the duty of sorting the mail during the passage.

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Auction magic from a very different Potter

19 February 2024

Richard Potter (1783-1835) is considered the first successful stage magician born in the US and African-American celebrity.

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First edition of early feminist text makes over 30 times estimate

19 February 2024

Actress cheated by the Prince of Wales turned to a campaign based on ‘injustice of mental subordination’

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Copy of George Washington’s Thanksgiving Day proclamation is toast of auction

19 February 2024

A printing of George Washington’s 1795 Thanksgiving Day proclamation sold way above hopes at Sarasota Estate Auction (23% buyer’s premium) in Florida.

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