Australia Expeditions, The Beatles, and 16th Century Books: The Week in Rare Books
Expeditions into Southern Australia by Charles Sturt
This weekly auction result is provided by Spencer W Stuart, an independent collections advisor specializing in rare books and manuscripts as well as fine photography and prints. He is also the author of Contemporary Issues in Rare Books & Manuscript Collecting and host of the monthly webinar Collecting Insights.
These are the three lots that stuck out this week because of either uniqueness or exceeding expectations:
Early Beatles Memorabilia
Autographs obtained at the Floral Hall in Morecambe, England, on August 29, 1962, less than two weeks after Ringo had joined the group with a letter of provenance from the daughter of the original recipient. This was one of the earliest appearances by the classic Beatles lineup which returned to Floral Hall for a second and final appearance on January 18, 1963, just before their national breakthrough. Sold by RR Auction for $13,475 following an estimate of $6,000.
Expeditions into Southern Australia
Expeditions into Southern Australia by Charles Sturt, two volumes (Smith, Elder & Co, 1833) both with black and white frontispiece and plates. Sold by Sydney Rare Book Auctions for A$700 following an estimate of A$200-A$300.
A study collection of sixteen books printed 1501-1525
Sold at Doyle for $7,090 following an estimate of $500 to $800.
