Ada Lovelace’s rare 1843 computer book tops $150,000 in U.K auction
A highly rare book by Ada Lovelace, regarded as one of the world’s first computer programmers, has sold for more than $150,000 at auction in the UK. The book ‘Sketch […]
2018-07-23
Quentin Blake’s personal collection makes $1m for charity
Part of Quentin Blake’s vast personal collection of his own work has sold for £768,625 ($1m). All crossed the block as part of Christie’s Valuable Books and Manuscripts sale, billed […]
By Tom Meyrick
2018-07-15
Charles I’s secret message discovered in 400-year-old poetry book
A 400-year-old poetry book containing a secret message written by King Charles I as he awaited execution has sold for $140,000 at Sotheby’s in London. The Latin motto “Dum spiro […]
2018-07-10
EH Shepard’s Hundred Acre Wood map sets new record
EH Shepard’s original map of Hundred Acre Wood, home to Winnie the Pooh and friends, has sold for £430,000 ($569,762). That’s a record for a drawing by Shepard, soaring past […]
By Tom Meyrick
Florence Nightingale nursing treatise sells for $18,000
A first edition copy of a major treatise on nursing by Florence Nightingale has sold for almost double its estimate at Sotheby’s. The book is titled Notes on Matters Affecting […]
By Tom Meyrick
2018-07-09
Harry Potter first editions will sell on July 10
Vectis Auctions is to feature a complete set of signed first edition deluxe Harry Potter books in a July 10 sale at its headquarters in Stockton-on-Tees, UK. The seven volume […]
By Tom Meyrick
2018-07-04
Hugh Hefner’s high school letters to auction in Chicago
An unseen archive of letters revealing the early life of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner is heading for auction in Chicago this month. Potter & Potter Auctions will offer the collection […]
2018-07-03
Robert Frost’s Stopping by the Woods draft makes $69,000
Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening is among American poet Robert Frost’s most celebrated works. Last night in London, Bonhams sold an original draft manuscript of the text for […]
By Tom Meyrick
2018-06-21
Poet Edward Thomas’ notebook to feature at Bonhams
A notebook belonging to the war poet Edward Thomas will feature in a June 20 auction of fine books and manuscripts at Bonhams with an estimate of £30,000-40,000 ($40,222-53,630). It […]
By Tom Meyrick
2018-06-12
Bodleian Library’s Tolkien Exhibition to celebrate life of Hobbit author
Oxford’s Bodleian Library is hosting an exhibition that focuses on JRR Tolkien, author of fantasy classics The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Titled Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth, it […]
By Tom Meyrick
2018-06-06
Two Ronnies’ Four Candles script hammers for £28,000
Ronnie Barker’s original handwritten script for The Two Ronnies sketch “Four Candles” has auctioned this afternoon (June 1) for £28,000. Featuring the red ink handwriting of Barker, who was using […]
By Dan Wade
2018-06-01
EH Shepard’s Hundred Acre Wood map to make $200,000?
EH Shepard’s original map of Hundred Acre Wood, home to bear and honey fan Winnie-the-Pooh, will star in an English literature auction at Sotheby’s London. This is the first time […]
By Tom Meyrick
2018-05-31
American Revolutionary sailor’s journal found in cupboard
A remarkable handwritten journal kept by a young American revolutionary sailor was recently donated to the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia. It was found in a cupboard in […]
By Tom Meyrick
2018-05-11
Alcoholics Anonymous’ Big Book achieves $2.4m
The original working manuscript to Alcoholics Anonymous’ legendary Big Book has sold for $2.4m. The text last sold for $992,000 at Sotheby’s in 2007. Controversy surrounded that first sale, as […]
By Dan Wade
2018-05-08
Unrecorded Quran fragment makes $817,000
An unrecorded fragment of the Quran copied onto nine leaves of an earlier Coptic bible has sold for £596,750 ($817,056) at Christie’s. The lot originates from Egypt in the 7th […]
By Dan Wade
