London — A rare first edition of one of the most popular books ever written, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone signed by author J. K. Rowling “to Bryony... the first person ever to see merit in Harry Potter” sold for £118,000 in Bonhams Fine Books, Atlases, Manuscripts & Photographs sale on 11 March in Knightsbridge, London. It had a presale estimate of £70,000-90,000.
 
Bryony Evens was the office manager for the literary agent Christopher Little, when in 1996, she picked up a three-chapter submission from the slush pile and started reading. Instantly hooked, Bryony asked Little to request that the author send the rest of the book. They soon received the full manuscript for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by the then unknown J.K. Rowling, and the rest is history.
 
Head of Bonhams Fine Books and Manuscripts Department, Matthew Haley, commented: “This unique copy of the highly desirable rare first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone really was a little piece of Harry Potter history. I’m not surprised that it attracted such interest and achieved such an impressive price”.
 
Other highlights include:
 
    •    Walter Raleigh’s own copy of Tasso’s Rime et prose, Venice, 1584. Estimate: £30,000-50,000. Sold for £47,000.
    •    Manet (Edouard) Poe (Edgar Allan), Le Corbeau; The Raven: Poëme, traduction française de Stéphane Mallarmé avec illustrations par Edouard Manet, Paris, Richard Lesclide, 1875. Estimate: £25,000-35,000. Sold for: £31,000.

Dallas, TX – An extremely rare copy of The Federalist Papers that was personally given by James Madison to an American diplomat and a strong selection of literature related to the Mormon church and its founders boosted the total sales for Heritage Auctions’ Rare Books Auction to $1,608,905 March 4 in New York.

The two-volume copy of The Federalist: A Collection of Essays, Written in Favour of the New Constitution, as Agreed Upon by the Federal Convention, September 17, 1787 became the auction’s top lot when it sold for $312,500. The Federalist Papers are considered by American historians as the cornerstone of the new nation’s theory of government, written "to meet the immediate need of convincing the reluctant New York State electorate of the necessity of ratifying the newly proposed Constitution of the United States.” This copy was personally given by James Madison, one of the authors, to American diplomat and overseas consul James Maury.

“Madison and the other authors, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, wrote under the ‘Publius’ pseudonym,” Heritage Auctions Rare Books Director James Gannon said. “The fact that this copy identifies one of the authors by name makes this a very important copy, and it alludes to the importance of Maury, both to the Founding Fathers and in representing the young nation and its political values overseas.”

The auction featured an outstanding collection of lots related to the Mormon faith, including:
    •    $100,000: Emma Smith A Collection of Sacred Hymns, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is a rare first edition of the Nauvoo hymnal, Emma Smith’s second compilation. The volume compiled by the wife of Mormonism founder Joseph Smith contains no music but features an index of first lines.
    •    $50,000: [Mormon Church]. [Joseph Smith, Junior, Oliver Cowdery, Sidney Rigdon, Frederick G. Williams, compilers] Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of the Latter Day Saints: Carefully Selected from the Revelations of God... is the second edition of the revelations to Joseph Smith, a rarity despite the fact that it is from a relatively large edition (believed to be 3,000 copies). The original intent was to issue 10,000 copies, but while printing was in progress at Zion (in Independence, Missouri), an anti-Mormon mob destroyed the press and most of the printed sheets, and even tore down the building housing the press.
    •    $27,500: [Mormon Church]. Original Holograph Manuscript of Minutes for a General Conference offers a glimpse into the early Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These minutes cover the two days of the conference and mark the start time of each session. Important early leaders of the church are mentioned, including George Albert Smith, Orson Hyde and Joseph Young, the older brother of Brigham Young.
    •    $23,750: [Mormon Church]. [Joseph Smith]. The Book of Mormon is a second edition, with copyright notice on verso of the title page, the testimonies of the three and eight witnesses immediately following on page 619 and a note to the reader at the foot of the testimony of eight witnesses.
    •    $18,750: [Mormons]. [Brigham Young]. Edward W. Tullidge. Life of Brigham Young; or, Utah and Her Founders is an extraordinary first edition, Brigham Young’s copy with his signature in both pen and in pencil on the front free endpaper, and on four pages within the volume. Corrections, presumably by Tullidge, appear throughout.

A rare uncorrected proof copy of J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone prompted bids from nearly three dozen collectors before selling for $40,000 – 10 times its pre-auction estimate. Of note is the fact that the title page includes the error, “J.A. Rowling” while the copyright page cites “Joanne Rowling” and has the complete number row descending from 10 to 1. This book is the first in Rowling’s hugely popular seven-volume tale.

Other top lots include, but are not limited to:
-[The Carolinas] The Humble Address of the Right Honourable the Lords Spiritual and Temporal In Parliament Assembled presented to Her Majesty on Wednesday, March 13, 1705 $38,750
-[Bill Wilson] Alcoholics Anonymous The Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism $37,500
-Edgar Rice Burroughs Tarzan of the Apes $32,500
-[Joan Blaeu. Atlas Maior] America. Quae est Geographiae Blavinae Pars Quinta, Liber Unus, Volumen Undecimum $26,250
-J. R. R. Tolkien. The Lord of the Rings, comprising: The Fellowship of the Ring $23,750

London — The Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association’s (ABA) annual flagship event Firsts - London’s Rare Book Fair will be held from Friday 5th - Sunday 7th June in Battersea Park, London. The major three-day event, which is returning for its 63rd year, is one of the world’s largest and most prestigious book fairs with more than 150 exhibitors from 11 countries around the world showcasing rare, unique and unusual works. Visitors will have the chance to view and buy signed first editions, maps, museum-quality manuscripts, art and ephemera and see an exhibition honouring the life and work of Charles Dickens, in the year which marks the 150th anniversary of his death.

Firsts - London’s Rare Book Fair at Battersea Evolution, Battersea Park, London, SW8 4NW:
    •    Friday 5th June:  noon – 9pm (£20 admission)
    •    Saturday 6th June: 11am – 7pm (free admission)
    •    Sunday 9th June: 11am – 5pm (free admission)

The Fair includes live demonstrations, talks, tours and the hugely popular Discovery Day where visitors can bring rare books to be appraised by the experts.

To register for complimentary tickets visit: www.firstslondon.com
 
Prints at Firsts London - NEW
New for this year at Firsts London is a Prints and Multiples section which will bring together an international group of over 15 leading dealers and gallerists who will be holding an exhibition in the mezzanine level. It will draw on the centuries long relationship between the printed word and the printed image to bring together enthusiasts of both bibliographic material and prints, creating a fantastic opportunity for cross-collecting and collaboration between both sectors.

2020 Fair Partners
Firsts London is pleased to announce that international online rare bookseller Biblio is the Official Fair Partner and The London Library is the 2020 Charity Partner.

The London Library will play an essential role in this year’s Fair showcasing Dickens-related work, previously unseen outside of the Library's archives and collections.

As Pom Harrington, Chairman of Firsts London says, “We are thrilled to be partnering with The London Library who’s contributions to the conservation and management of Charles Dickens-related works will be an important and valuable contribution to this year’s Fair; celebrating the life and work of one of the country’s most eminent writers.”

Dallas, TX – One of just a handful of this style poster released to promote Universal’s 1933 monster classic The Invisible Man may bring as much as $125,000 in Heritage Auctions’ Movie Poster auction March 21-22. The sale is filled with first-time offerings ranging from stone litho masterpieces to early War and advertising posters.

“This beautiful poster is an outstanding example of the horror artwork by artist Karoly Grosz, which made the Universal monster genre such a success,” said Grey Smith, Director of Posters at Heritage Auctions. “One of only a small handful of this style B poster are known to exist so this is a rare first offering at Heritage.”
 
The gorgeous stone litho poster sells the film ’splot in one image. Director James Whale brought to the horror film a tongue-in-cheek element, which almost 85 years after the film's release still makes it so very enjoyable.
 
Another Universal monster favorite, a title lobby card for Frankenstein (Universal, 1931) is a very fine example which rarely comes to auction (est. $50,000-$100,000). Paper from arguably the most popular movie monster of all time is considered the pinnacle of collecting. The title card offered is one of only a few known to exist, and of those, it’s condition certainly is among the best.
 
An Italian locandina poster for Casablanca (Warner Bros., R-1953) is yet another piece to make its auction debut at Heritage (est. $50,000-$100,000). Acclaimed Italian poster artist Luigi Martinati truly outdid himself with this stunning depiction of Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, so well composed, an argument could be made that the piece outclasses even those from the original Italian release of the film, which were also crafted by Martinati.
 
The March 21-22 auction features the special Mike Kaplan Collection, owned by the noted film producer, and assembled over three decades. Leading the collection is a rare and beautiful painted poster for Bordertown (Warner Bros., 1935) (est. $40,000-$80,000). The one sheet beams with bright colors, depicting Bette Davis in one of her most sultry roles.
 
An extremely early poster for The Jazz Singer (Warner Bros., 1927) is a billboard-size masterpiece and one of only two copies known (est. $20,000-$40,000). The poster is also a historic piece since it marked the end of the era of silent films the moment actor Al Jolson spoke on film. A poster of this size from the 1920s is an amazing find, as 24-sheet posters from this period are exceptionally scarce with only a few having survived. A six-sheet poster from the same film is the only known poster of its kind to survive today (est. $25,000-$50,000).
 
Additional highlights include, but are not limited to:
 
    •    A spectacularly rare poster for Stagecoach (United Artists, 1939), from the Mike Kaplan Collection (est. $30,000-$60,000)
 
    •    An incredibly scarce, three-sheet poster for Attack of the 50 Foot Woman (Allied Artists, 1958), which is at the top of many collectors’ sci-fi want lists (est. $20,000-$40,000)
 
    •    The original poster artwork by artist Fred Otnes for A Fistful of Dollars (United Artists, 1967), a collage and painted poster for the gritty western. Otnes is known for his collage paintings and works that served as the illustrations for movie posters, postage stamps, and magazine covers (est. $20,000-$40,000)
 
Heritage Auctions’ March 21-22 Movie Poster Auction offers 814 lots and is now open for bidding. The auction features a separate catalog for The Mike Kaplan Collection of 171 posters collected based on Kaplan’s love of the painted poster.

Leyburn, North Yorkshire  — An outstanding manuscript on archery, compiled by Sir Ralph Payne Gallwey of Thirkleby Park, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, is coming up for sale at Tennants Auctioneers in its Book Sale on 18th March.

Sir Ralph Payne Gallwey (1848-1916), it appears, was a man with an extraordinary fascination for archery. Written in the first decade of the 20th century, the beautifully compiled manuscript tells of his research into Turkish and Chinese archery, a wide variety of bows and arrows, and methods of shooting. Payne Gallwey’s research was practical, and tables of flight distances, detailed illustrations and photographs of bows in use accompany meticulous hand-written notes. The manuscript also includes photographs of the extraordinary collection of weapons housed at Thirkleby Park.

Payne Gallwey lived at Thirkleby Park; he inherited the estate in 1881, but after the death of his son, William, in the First World War, he tried to sell the estate at auction. It failed to sell, and Payne Gallwey died shortly afterwards. The main house, Thirkleby Hall, was demolished in 1927, and only the gatehouse and stable buildings remain. Payne Gallwey was an engineer, historian, artist and ballistics expert, who was a published author on several books on shooting and the crossbow.

The manuscript, which is on offer with an estimate of £600-800 plus buyer’s premium, is an extraordinary record of an enquiring mind.

Details of the manuscript can be found at www.tennants.co.uk.

London — Peter Harrington, the UK’s largest rare bookseller, is pleased to launch its’ new Children’s Catalogue, containing an incredible selection of over 200 items of children's literature and original art, dating from 1750 to the 21st century. Every item is either a first edition in remarkably good condition, or bears a particular association or provenance which sets it apart.

The selection ranges from early examples of novels for children, such as Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland books, to contemporary classics such as Harry Potter. A rare first edition of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, is inscribed by Roald Dahl just after it was published in 1964, and a first edition of Anna Sewell’s Black Beauty inscribed by Anna to the patients of a London hospital in the brief period between the publication and her early death in 1878.

Included too are first editions of books by perennial children’s favourites such as Hans Christian Andersen, the Rev. W. Audry, A. A. Milne, Enid Blyton, Maurice Sendak and Dr. Seuss, and original artwork by legendary illustrators including Arthur Rackham, Kay Nielsen, and E. H. Shepard.

Pom Harrington, the owner of Peter Harrington says “The challenge with acquiring children’s books is in finding them in good condition, given that many have been well-loved and well-read. The first edition in English of the children's picture book Der Struwwelpeter, for example, is among the rarest of all children's books, due to the fragility of the publication. Many first-time buyers start their collection with a first edition or rare copy of a book they’ve loved as a child and we hope this catalogue will inspire more people to start collecting.”

All items from the catalogue are on display at Peter Harrington in Dover Street, London from today until Saturday 21st March and a copy of the catalogue is available on request.

New York − An important handwritten Isaac Newton manuscript exploring the nature of God and creation sold for $106,325 at the Fine Books and Manuscripts Sale on March 6 in New York. It had an estimate of US$100,000-150,000. Extensively reworked, underlined and amended, this manuscript speaks directly to the relationship of God and Christ through the lens of the gospel of John, shedding light on the philosophical underpinnings of his monumental Principia – one of the most important works in the history of science – in which he expressed his theory of universal gravitation. With nearly all of Newton’s manuscripts now permanently in institutions, this manuscript was one of the most important remaining in private hands.

Other highlights of the sale included:
    •    An original autograph manuscript, a maquette for Shel Silverstein’s Giving Tree, one of his most famous children's books, sold for $52,575 (estimate: $10,000-15,000)
    •    Harry Houdini's (double fold?) milk can sold for $50,075 (estimate: $25,000-35,000). This was the illusionist’s famous "milk can" escape, in which he was locked inside a metal can which was then filled with water, giving him only a short time in which to escape before drowning.
    •    A beautifully illuminated Book of Hours, produced in the last decades of the 15th-century in Rouen, France, sold for $43,825 (estimate: $25,000-35,000)

New Haven, CT — Books are the lawyer's tools and the law student's laboratory, and nothing brings this home better than the marks that they leave in their books. Over 30 such annotated and inscribed books from the Lillian Goldman Law Library are on display in Precedents So Scrawl'd and Blurr'd: Readers' Marks in Law Books, the Spring 2020 exhibition from the library's Rare Book Collection.
 
Exhibition curator Mike Widener, the Law Library's rare book librarian, selected items that offer both research potential and insights into the roles that law books have played in people's lives. The marks left by readers document the lived experience of the law, and remind us that law is above all a human endeavor.
 
The exhibition's title comes from John Anstey's verse satire of the legal profession, The Pleader's Guide (1796): "Precedents so scrawl'd and blurr'd / I scarce could read one single word."
 
Many of the volumes illustrate the work of lawyers, law students, law professors, and authors throughout the centuries. Doodles suggest the writers taking a break from dreary legal studies. Scraps of poetry can be sources for literary scholars. Readers also used their books to record events, ranging from a drunken outburst in the New Jersey assembly to a famous naval battle of the War of 1812 and the beheading of Henry VIII's fifth queen.
 
"These books represent a small fraction of the annotated books in the Yale Law Library's rare book collection," said Widener. "They demonstrate the value of collecting these artifacts, and constitute the Law Library’s invitation to explore them further."
 
Precedents So Scrawl'd and Blurr'd is the latest in a series of exhibitions that examine law books as physical artifacts, and the relationships between their forms and content. It is on display March 2 to June 17, 2020, in the Rare Book Exhibition Gallery of the Lillian Goldman Law Library, located on Level L2 of the Yale Law School (127 Wall Street, New Haven CT). The exhibition is open to the general public 10am-6pm daily, and open to Yale affiliates until 10pm.

Chicago — Potter and Potter's February 29th Leap Year day auction hit the ground running, offering buyers nonstop fun and opportunities from start to finish. After the hammer fell for the last time, 44 lots realized $750-2,000; 25 lots made $2,001-$4,999; and 5 lots broke the $5,000 barrier. Prices noted include the company's 20% buyer's premium.

Not surprisingly, Harry Houdini related merchandise - including promotional materials and souvenirs - took many of the top lot slots in this sale.

-Lot #369, a pair of c. 1933 Harry and Bess Houdini pocket mirrors - one of ten pairs extant - was estimated at $4,000-6,000 and brought $9,000. These “mirror cards” were presented to members of the Houdini Club of Philadelphia at its annual banquet on January 7th, 1933.
-Lot #368, a 1923 letterpress handbill from the Geo. Innes Dry Goods Co. to Houdini, challenging him to escape from an “ordinary packing case of heavy lumber" was estimated at $1,000-1,500 and scored $8,400. This lot also included a schematic drawing illustrating how Houdini would accomplish this feat.
-Lot #373, a Houdini signed, embossed silver print photograph from 1909 showing the magician in mid-flight, was estimated at $1,500-2,500 and soared to $5,760.

Fine selections of antique magic apparatus from US and European legacy manufacturers were well represented - and well received - in this auction.

-Lot #74, a c. 1930-era Inexhaustible Barrel made by Willmann, rose to $4,800 on its $2,000-3,000 presale estimate. With this trick, the barrel is shown empty, then capped on both ends. A spigot is inserted, and a seemingly endless quantity of beer or other libations are poured and served to the audience.
-Lot #142, a c. 1930-era Confusion in the Ark made by F.G. Thayer delivered $4,800. In this illusion, a large figure of Noah, a small figure of his son Japheth, and a dove transpose locations between a wooden ark and two highly decorated metal tubes.
-Lot #119, a c. 1891 Money Maker, cashed in at $4,560 - more than twice its high estimate. This apparatus transforms blank paper cranked through cloth rollers into real currency; this handsome design is believed to be one of - if not the first - magic money makers manufactured.
-Lot #188, a c. 1935 Diminishing Pocket Watch illusion made by F.G. Thayer wasted no time busting through its $100-200 preauction estimate to land at $1,320. With this trick, the magician’s pocket watch visibly diminishes in size twice, then vanishes from his hands.  
-Lot #141, a c. 1925 mahogany deck switching tray by F.G. Thayer served up $960, more than three times its high estimate. This apparatus allows a magician to secretly switch one deck for another.  

Collectors took more than a passing fancy to the top tier selections of photographs, postcards, correspondence, and other magic related ephemera available through this sale.

-Lot #281, a c. 1924 signed and inscribed full length portrait of the Nartell Twins - the pair that worked with  Alexander, the Man Who Knows - brought $4,560...  over seven times its high estimate.
-Lot #331, a two page Buatier De Kolta autograph letter signed to Robert Ankele traded hands at $4,320. This note, originally estimated at $1,000-1,500, was dated Nov. 11, 1902 and was written less than one year before the magician’s death.
-Lot #410, a c. 1910 color “Rameses” Egyptian Wonder Worker postcard signed to The Great Raymond delivered $3,360 on its $400-600 estimate. Printed matter from Rameses’ show is quite rare, and his autographs are practically unobtainable.
-Lot #230, Eva Fay’s Somnolency and Guide to Dreams from 1900 was estimated at $100-150 and sold for $600. Fay was billed as the "High Priestess of Mysticism" and this lot included a "Ladies Ticket" to one of her shows.

Modern apparatus, outfits and stage worn costumes, and posters and broadsides closed the loop on this top tier magic sales event.

-Lot #50, a Birdcage Die Box made by Sam Fehrenz around 1997 made $4,560 - almost eight times its high estimate. With this trick, a sturdy metal birdcage vanishes from a wooden box after the box is tilted back and forth.
-Lot #72, a c. 1979 jumpsuit worn and used by Doug Henning, delivered $5,760 on its $2,500-5,000 estimate. This iconic costume was used in publicity photographs, including one advertising Henning's performance of walking through a wall.
-Lot #473, a letterpress broadside advertising the final stage appearance of Harry Kellar, closed the curtains at $2,400, more than three times its high estimate. This "last call" took place as part of an Antilles tribute show at the New York Hippodrome in 1917.

According to Gabe Fajuri, President at Potter & Potter Auctions, "Jim Rawlins' collection continues to deliver strong results at auction. We were especially pleased with the results of rare Thayer items, ephemera, and association items, three hallmarks of his well-rounded, finely curated collection. Part four is scheduled for July."

Potter & Potter, founded in 2007, is a Chicago area auction house specializing in paper Americana, vintage advertising, rare books, playing cards, gambling memorabilia, posters, fine prints, vintage toys, and magicana - antiques and collectibles related to magic and magicians. The company's next sale, to be held on March 28, 2020, will feature gambling memorabilia and playing cards. For more information, please see www.potterauctions.com. Follow us on Facebook (potterandpotterauctions) and Instagram (potterauctions).

New York – On April 21, a rare selection of books written by the influential author Virginia Woolf (1882 – 1941) will be offered as part of the Fine Printed Books and Manuscripts including Americana sale, during Classics Week. Woolf is recognized as one of the most innovative writers of the 20th century, whose work explores modernism, including gender roles, the subconscious, time, perception, and the impact of war.  Highlights include two of her best known works, Mrs Dalloway (1925) and To the Lighthouse (1927), which are signed first editions. The jackets are colorful and striking and were designed by Woolf’s sister, artist Vanessa Bell.

Virginia Woolf was born into an affluent home in South Kensington, London. After her mother’s death and encouraged by her father, Woolf began writing professionally in 1900. As a pioneer in the use of stream of consciousness as a narrative method, her work provides insight into her characters and the author’s thought process.

She was an important part of London's literary and artistic society and adopted a free-spirited lifestyle. Together with her husband Leonard Woolf, the literary couple were part of the Bloomsbury Group – an influential collective of English writers, intellects, artist, and philosophers.

Other highlights include a lovely collection of first editions from Virginia Woolf, including her first novel, Voyage Out (1919), and two signed limited editions, including Beau Brummel (1930) and Street Haunting (1930).

The public view will open in Christie’s Rockefeller Galleries in New York from Friday, April 17 to Tuesday, April 20.