His first folio is so rare because it is the first authoritative collection of his plays, compiled by his friends and business partners who helped run his theatre company. While they have high standards for the books they sell, theyll help you determine if. Preemptively purchased prior to auction by the french state. This book set a precedence for book binding around the world. The first ever book to be printed in america will soon be put under the hammer, and is already touted to be the most expensive even before it finds a new buyer. The worlds oldest picture postcard has sold for a record sum at auction in london. The st cuthbert gospel or stonyhurst gospel is a pocket gospel book written in latin from the 8th century. Sothebys just sold the worlds oldest soccer rule book for. Wine searcher released by an independent bottler named hunter laing, only 267 bottles of the sovereign were produced. Once again the king of american coins takes one of the top 10 spots on the list of the worlds rarest and most valuable coins. The company was established in 1744 and is one of the worlds oldest auction houses with 90 locations in 40 countries. But at the maison gautier in france, a family business that had only seven years previously obtained a royal warrant to produce cognac, with a founding charter signed by the king louis xv, history was also in the making for what has been described in the guinness book of records as the oldest cognac vintage ever sold at auction.
It was auctioned again in 2007 to alabama resident. The rivetingly strange story of the worlds most expensive bottle of wine, and the even stranger characters whose lives have intersected with it. The pistol switched hands many times before coming up for auction in 1987. But its not without its competition for the top spot, as youll see throughout this list. First book printed in what is now the united states. China guardian is the countrys oldest art auction firm and was named the worlds fourth largest auction house in 2012. The card was sent in 1840 to a theodore hook esq, fulham, a playwright and novelist noted for his wit and drollery. The 10 most expensive books in the world flavorwire. Mar 21, 2011 the oldest printed star maps in the world, drawn by german renaissance artist albrecht durer, which show the northern skies teeming with the creatures of the zodiac, are to be sold at a sothebys. The worlds oldest postcard was sold by the london stamp. The declaration of love, which was handwritten about 230 years ago, is sold at auction for. Dr seuss letter thanking friend for saving first book up for. Getting free online book appraisals from several auctioneers, allows you to compare estimates and selling fees before committing to a consignment agreement.
According to the guinness book of records, the worlds most expensive bottle of cognac was an 1858 cuvee leonie that sold at auction for. But its purchaser is not the first one to be enthralled by a rock from space. The worlds oldest postcard was sold by the london london, united kingdom. Worlds oldest star charts up for auction art and design. The bertrand bookstore in lisbon jeff oneal jun 26, 20 we hear a lot about bookstores closing these days. The book is comprised of six pages of beaten 24carat gold covered with etruscan script, one of the few writing systems scholars have yet to decipher source. Later, the invention of the printing press made stories and cartoons mass products available for everyone. Jun 26, 2017 china guardian is the countrys oldest artauction firm and was named the worlds fourth largest auction house in 2012. Certainly that can be used as a benchmark evaluation for the book since that is an actual sales price. At the age of six he began with sea shells, and soon graduated to coins, the gateway drug.
One of the oldest english copies of the bible sells at auction for over. The worlds oldest auction house mike brandly, auctioneer blog. There is only one copy known to exist that is graded better than the 9. Labour mp auctioning dress that drew sexist criticism. The card with a penny black stamp was sent in 1840 to a writer called theodore hook who lived at fulham in london. So lets have a look at the most expensive books that have been sold all around the world. These auctions are held in new york and paris in june and december. Sothebys was established in 1744 and is one of the worlds oldest auction houses with 90 locations in 40 countries. How to get free rare book appraisals from the worlds best. It was aged in a refilled bourbon barrel and bottled at cask strength, a whooping 49. Look for reputable auction houses, galleries, and dealers in your area, who offer free estimates. Worlds oldest postcard sold at auction digital journal. According to clive moss, the head of the book department at chiswick auctions in west.
In fact, these are some of the most expensive ever sold. Due to its very limited numbers, in our time is considered one of the rare books for book collectors around the world. Sothebys was established in 1744 and is one of the worlds oldest auction. The worlds oldest postcard was sold by the london stamp exchange auction for 31,000 pounds, 08 march 2002. Sales are held twice each year in london to coincide with our sales of. The whereabouts of the manuscript remained unknown until it reappeared at an auction house in 2004, sold by a joseph b. The wine was produced by the massandra winery, located in the republic of crimea, which is home to an extensive collection of valuable russian and european wines. The hand painted caricature postcard was sent within london to theodore hook in fulham. Jul 14, 2011 the worlds oldest football rulebook, belonging to the first ever club sheffield fc, is sold at auction for.
Europes 10 most important auction houses artnet news. A bottle of the one of the worlds oldest surviving cognacs. The worlds oldest postcard was sold by the london stamp exchange auction for 31,000 pounds euros 50,820, 08 march 2002. A bottle of the one of the worlds oldest surviving. Sothebys is the worlds fourth oldest auction house in continuous operation, with 80 locations in 40 countries. As of december 2011, the company had 1,446 employees worldwide. The company was established in 1744 and is one of the worlds oldest auction houses with 90. If you own one of these rare books, youre sitting on a gold.
Perhaps the hottest collectible comic book in recent years has been the first appearance of the incredible hulk in this 1962 comic book by stan lee and jack kirby. If your book doesnt meet a top auctioneers standards. List of most expensive books and manuscripts wikipedia. Noreserve auction nr, also known as an absolute auction, is an auction in which the item for sale will be sold regardless of price. Wrestling is considered the oldest sport in the world. Mar 05, 2010 there are auction houses locations where auctions are held, typically a type of commercial facility, on some regular basis, as compared to onsite auctions, which take place at the owners location, usually once all over the world. Sothebys offers free online research for sold book prices. Aug 26, 2017 when examining the auction records, one can easily find that a copy sold at bloomsbury auctions in london 20 for 69 gbp.
China guardian specializes in the sale of chinese artwork and calligraphy. The oldest book in the world, printed in america, has also become the worlds most expensive book after it was recently sold at an auction for. We know because the famous cave paintings in lascaux, france, dating back to 15,300 years ago, depict wrestlers. They will provide free appraisals for the types of books they sell.
Discover the value of your rare books and manuscripts with sothebys. Jun 03, 2011 a bottle of the worlds oldest champagne was auctioned on friday for a recordsetting 30,000 euros. Sold at the auction was not a typical cassandra dee books, at least not to me. The book was offered for auction by the duke of northumberland, who has been selling off dozens of family heirlooms after his estate was left with. Where to sell books for top dollar what sells best. The world s oldest picture postcard has sold for a record sum at auction in london. Wyatt earp is one of the most well known lawmen of all time. Worlds oldest champagne auctioned for recordsetting price. There are auction houses locations where auctions are held, typically a type of commercial facility, on some regular basis, as compared to onsite auctions, which take place at the owners location, usually once all over the world. If any of these items are sitting in your attic, you could make a lot of money.
While this is the oldest selling category at sothebys, in recent years the books and. This limited run of single grain scotch whiskey is one of the oldest whiskies at over 50 years old and is being sold at the whisky shop for 550. Brent pogue coin collection auction jointly by stacks bowers galleries and sothebys over the span of two and a half years. Worlds oldest valentine card to be sold for thousands at auction fashion. Mar 08, 2002 the worlds oldest picture postcard has sold for a record sum at auction in london. Heritage auctions is the worlds largest collectibles house. Storytelling by a sequence of images dates back to the ancient egyptians, greeks and romans who decorated tombs and temples and with the tales of pharaohs and gods. More about sothebys wikipedia better business bureau rating. May, 2020 but at the maison gautier in france, a family business that had only seven years previously obtained a royal warrant to produce cognac, with a founding charter signed by the king louis xv, history was also in the making for what has been described in the guinness book of records as the oldest cognac vintage ever sold at auction. Right now, the book known as the oldest in the world is a severalpagelong volume held by the bulgaria s national museum of history. Sothebys holds the record for any printed book with the bay pslam book, the first book printed in the colonies in 1640 by the puritans of the massachusetts bay colony. The handwritten pamphlet from 1857 was put on auction at sothebys in london as part of an archive of. They say you cant put a price on a good book, but these works proved that some of us can and a sizeable one at that. If you own one of these rare books, youre sitting on a.
Bay psalm book touted to be the worlds oldest and most. These are some of the worlds most expensive books ceoworld. During the 18th century, picture stories focussed less on religion and more on politics and social life. Founded in 1744, sothebys is the oldest and largest internationally recognised firm of fine art auctioneers in the world.
Simply submit photos online to receive a complimentary auction estimate. The worlds oldest football rulebook, belonging to the first ever club sheffield fc, is sold at auction for. May 06, 2018 the whereabouts of the manuscript remained unknown until it reappeared at an auction house in 2004, sold by a joseph b. The works of william shakespeare are amongst the most influential in the world, continuing to have great precedence in western literature 400 years after his death in 1616. What makes this book unique is that its one of the first examples of bookbinding in the world. Worlds oldest valentine card sold in derbyshire bbc news. Hammering out the top 5 luxury auction houses therichest. The first edition of james joyces labyrinthine sophomore novel ulysses sold at auction in 2009 for. In addition to books, americana encompasses pamphlets, letters, documents and manuscripts.
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