Tag: Rare Books

Rare Antique Book Collection Sells Out Completely at Bonhams New York Auction

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In a historic moment for bibliophiles and collectors, Bonhams New York achieved a white glove resultโ€”100% soldโ€”at its December 17 auction of The Complete Kelmscott Press Collection of Joseph Mark Van Horn. The auction marked the first time in half a century that a complete collection of books from the renowned Kelmscott Press, founded by 19th-century designer and visionary William Morris, had been offered at auction. The collection included all 53 works published by the press during its seven-year existence, a remarkable feat of artistic craftsmanship and fine printing.

Taylor Swift’s Rare Handwritten Interview Sold for $18,000 – Read Her Answers, See Her Signature, Discover Her Secrets!

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A rare handwritten questionnaire filled out by Taylor Swift for MIZZ Magazine in 2009 has been sold at Bonhams auction in London for ยฃ14,200 ($18,000). This is a significant leap from its initial estimate of ยฃ2,000 ($2,500) to ยฃ3,000 ($3,700), highlighting the enduring popularity and cultural impact of the global pop superstar. Swift, who has since become one of the best-selling music artists of all time, continues to captivate audiences worldwide. This early piece of memorabilia serves as a nostalgic reminder of her journey from a rising country singer to a global pop icon.

Harry Potter Uncorrected Proof Copy by J.K. Rowling Sells for $45,000

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On March 20, 2024, at Bonhams Knightsbridge, a significant literary artifact changed hands as an uncorrected proof copy of “Harry Potter and the Philosopherโ€™s Stone” by J.K. Rowling, dating back to 1997, was auctioned off. The item, which bore Rowling’s inscription and signature, sold for ยฃ35,840 ($45,000), falling within the pre-sale estimate range of ยฃ30,000-50,000 ($37,000-63,000).

Rare First Edition of Darwin’s “On the Origin of Species” Sells for Double Estimate at Bonhams Auction

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A very rare first edition and authorโ€™s presentation copy of Charles Darwinโ€™s groundbreaking work, “On the Origin of Species,” fetched an astonishing ยฃ305,200 ($384,000) at Bonhams Fine Books and Manuscripts Sale held on March 20, 2024. This price surpassed its initial estimate by over double, marking a significant moment in literary auction history. The auction saw a total sale of ยฃ1,308,337 ($1,648,000), with an impressive 93% of the lots sold by volume and an astounding 99% sold by value.

How Russian Czar’s Library Ended Up In America

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Most people in the United States, Russia, and the World donโ€™t know that more than 2,500 volumes from the personal library of the Russia’s Royal Family are in the possession of the Library of Congress of the United States.

This priceless collection was formed in the Winter Palace in St. Petersburgโ€™s, Imperial Russia. It survived WWI, the 1917 Revolution as well as the Civil War that followed, eventually ending up in America.

This is the fascinating story of how it happened, told exclusively to the World Art News by a researcher who worked with these rare books.