Swann trumpets two standout seasons of books & manuscripts sales

1925 London first edition of Virginia Woolf’s ‘Mrs. Dalloway’ in an unrestored dust jacket, offered in the March 2 Fine Books & Autographs sale, $30,000. Image courtesy of Swann Auction Galleries
1925 London first edition of Virginia Woolf’s ‘Mrs. Dalloway’ in an unrestored dust jacket, offered in the March 2 Fine Books & Autographs sale, $30,000. Image courtesy of Swann Auction Galleries
1925 London first edition of Virginia Woolf’s ‘Mrs. Dalloway’ in an unrestored dust jacket, offered in the March 2 Fine Books & Autographs sale, $30,000. Image courtesy of Swann Auction Galleries

NEW YORK — Books and manuscripts had a standout winter-spring season at Swann Galleries. “As a company whose origins are as a book auction house, it is reaffirming to see this growth, over 25%, in our book department over the last year. Even more exciting is that the results reflect not only strength in our established departments but also great momentum in our latest specialized sale, Focus on Women,” said President Nicholas D. Lowry. The top auctions of the season included two record-breakers in their respective categories: Printed & Manuscript African Americana and Early Printed Books. Both sales recorded their highest totals in history at the house: African Americana earned $1,378,838 on March 30, and the timed online auction of Early Printed Books closed on May 4 at $1,326,560. Absentee and Internet live bidding was facilitated through LiveAuctioneers.

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Centuries-old books bring visual pleasure at Swann, Oct. 13

Book of Hours with illuminated miniatures, circa 1480-1510, estimated at $20,000-$30,000
Book of Hours with illuminated miniatures, circa 1480-1510, estimated at $20,000-$30,000
Book of Hours with illuminated miniatures, estimated at $20,000-$30,000

NEW YORK — Swann Galleries’ Thursday, October 13 Early Printed Books sale will include works from the Early Modern and Enlightenment period, starting with the Manny Coleman collection, as well as publications on economics, science, medicine and travel and will feature part two of the collection of Ken Rapoport. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

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