Rare Book Monthly Articles - April - 2019 Issue

What is the most frequently asked question in the used and rare book field?  What is my book worth?

What is the most frequently asked question in the used and rare book field? What is my book worth?

Everyone in the rare book business is asked everyday “what is my book worth?” and the question almost always gets a careful listen because once in a great while the book or books you have are very good.  But that said, the process is time consuming and rarely successful for the person providing perspective.   For people who have these questions there are a few straightforward ways to find out, without spending a dime or anyone’s time.  You should go to the listing sites; Biblio, Alibris, Abebooks or Rare Book Hub that provide listings of books for sale.  Or, if you are diligent, go to all...

An Amazing Find within the Pages of a 500-year-old Book

An Amazing Find within the Pages of a 500-year-old Book

There are two dreams we have when discovering an old book in the attic. One is that it is of great value; the other is that there is something of great value tucked away inside. The latter happened...

“Good Until Cancelled”: The Rant of a soon to be Ex-eBay Power Seller

“Good Until Cancelled”: The Rant of a soon to be Ex-eBay Power Seller

I am a soon to be ex-eBay Power seller. I joined eBay in the heady days of the late 1990s and for the next 20+ years I maintained a productive relationship and a 100% positive feedback rating. I’m ...

The Markets are Converging

The Markets are Converging

The structure of the old and rare book market is rapidly changing.  Within a generation what has long looked like parallel tracks that never converge, eBay and traditional auctions, are converging....

A Search Underway for Thousands of Books Looted Almost Four Centuries Ago

A Search Underway for Thousands of Books Looted Almost Four Centuries Ago

The theft of books is a centuries-old problem that has received increasing attention in recent years as tools for locating them have improved. Not just better scientific means of identifying copies...

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying

We recently received a request from a reader that is outside the normal scope of this site. It was to post a link to a guide offering advice on how to stay safe from cyberbullying. We will provide ...

Ongoing thru April 11: Impressive autograph material at One of a Kind Collectibles

Ongoing thru April 11: Impressive autograph material at One of a Kind Collectibles

As of the release of this month’s issue of Rare Book Monthly, One of a Kind Collectibles’ online auction of Rare Autographs, Manuscripts, Books Photographs is already accepting bids and closes on ...

Baltasar Gracian, The Art of Prudence

Baltasar Gracian, The Art of Prudence

Imagine going back in time, and ending up at the Palace of Versailles in the 17th century! Welcome to this golden jungle, populated with fierce courtesans ready to devour you. How will you survive ...

The Statute of Limitations

The Statute of Limitations

Even 2,000 years later it’s not easy to be named Pilate and God help you if your first name is Pontius.  Names can become symbols, and when the association is dark, there is a price to pay.  In New...

J. Fernando Pena joins Christies and they are lucky for it

J. Fernando Pena joins Christies and they are lucky for it

Fernando Peña, whose DNA is said to include ink, is making his mark again. To academics across the United States and Grolier Club members in New York who for ten years (2001-2011) could expect to f...

Jail Time Assessed for Theft of Mormon Books and Photographs from Utah Library

Jail Time Assessed for Theft of Mormon Books and Photographs from Utah Library

Kevin Mark Ronald Schuwer has been sentenced to four months in jail for the theft of eight books and a photograph from the Brigham Young University Library. The prosecutor felt that Schuwer deserve...

Herding Cats

Herding Cats

Anymore it seems like every aspect of the rare paper category is in flux.  On line listings work but the responses are a little slower and the prices a bit more negotiable.  Printed catalogues are ...

12 New Catalogues Reviewed This Month

12 New Catalogues Reviewed This Month

For April we review 12 new catalogues. This month, the greatest concentration is in various types of Americana. David M. Lesser Fine Antiquarian Books and the George S. MacManus Company both offer ...

Rare Book Monthly

  • Finarte
    Books, Autographs & Prints
    June 24 & 25, 2025
    Finarte, June 24-25: ALIGHIERI, DANTE / LANDINO, CRISTOFORO. Comento di Christophoro Landino Fiorentino sopra la Comedia di Danthe Alighieri poeta fiorentino, 1481. €40,000 to €50,000.
    Finarte, June 24-25: ALIGHIERI, DANTE. La Commedia [Commento di Christophorus Landinus]. Aggiunta: Marsilius Ficinus, Ad Dantem gratulatio [in latino e Italiano], 1487. €40,000 to €60,000.
    Finarte, June 24-25: ALIGHIERI, DANTE. Il Convivio, 1490. €20,000 to €25,000.
    Finarte
    Books, Autographs & Prints
    June 24 & 25, 2025
    Finarte, June 24-25: BANDELLO, MATTEO. La prima [-quarta] parte de le nouelle del Bandello, 1554. €7,000 to €9,000.
    Finarte, June 24-25: LEGATURA – PLUTARCO. Le vies des hommes illustres, grecs et romaines translates, 1567. €10,000 to €12,000.
    Finarte, June 24-25: TOLOMEO, CLAUDIO. Ptolemeo La Geografia di Claudio Ptolemeo Alessandrino, Con alcuni comenti…, 1548. €4,000 to €6,000.
    Finarte
    Books, Autographs & Prints
    June 24 & 25, 2025
    Finarte, June 24-25: FESTE - COPPOLA, GIOVANNI CARLO. Le nozze degli Dei, favola [...] rappresentata in musica in Firenze…, 1637. €6,000 to €8,000.
    Finarte, June 24-25: SPINOZA, BARUCH. Opera posthuma, 1677. €8,000 to €12,000.
    Finarte, June 24-25: PUSHKIN, ALEXANDER. Borus Godunov, 1831. €30,000 to €50,000.
    Finarte
    Books, Autographs & Prints
    June 24 & 25, 2025
    Finarte, June 24-25: LIBRO D'ARTISTA - LECUIRE, PIERRE. Ballets-minute, 1954. €35,000 to €40,000.
    Finarte, June 24-25: LIBRO D'ARTISTA - MAJAKOVSKIJ, VLADIMIR / LISSITZKY, LAZAR MARKOVICH. Dlia Golosa, 1923. €7,000 to €10,000.
    Finarte, June 24-25: LIBRO D'ARTISTA - MATISSE, HENRI / MONTHERLANT, HENRY DE. Pasiphaé. Chant de Minos., 1944. €22,000 to €24,000.
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  • Sotheby's
    Bibliothèque Jacques Dauchez - Autour de Dubuffet
    5-19 June
    Sotheby’s, June 5-19: Bissière, Roger. Cantique à notre frère soleil de saint François. 1954. 1,000 - 1,500 EUR
    Sotheby’s, June 5-19: Céline, Louis-Ferdinand. La vie & l’œuvre de Philippe Ignace Semmelweis. 1924. Rare édition originale, avec envoi. Joint : La Quinine en thérapeutique, 1925. 4,000 - 6,000 EUR
    Sotheby’s, June 5-19: Céline, Louis-Ferdinand. Mort à crédit. 1936. Édition originale. Bel exemplaire sur Hollande. 2,500 - 3,500 EUR
    Sotheby's
    Bibliothèque Jacques Dauchez - Autour de Dubuffet
    5-19 June
    Sotheby’s, June 5-19: Chillida, Eduardo ─ Emil Cioran. Face aux instants. 1985. Un des 100 exemplaires sur Arches. Eau-forte signée. 600 - 800 EUR
    Sotheby’s, June 5-19: Dubuffet, Jean. Ler dla canpane. L’Art Brut, 1948. Édition originale. 3,000 - 5,000 EUR
    Sotheby’s, June 5-19: Dubuffet, Jean. L'Herne Jean Dubuffet. 1973. Un des 100 exemplaires du tirage de luxe avec une sérigraphie originale en couleurs. 1,000 - 1,500 EUR

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