Books and Manuscripts

Bell's Edition: The Poets of Great Britain Complete from Chaucer to Churchill

In 1805, a book was the first item ever sold by Freeman’s founder, Tristram Bampfylde Freeman. We have sold a multitude of books in the intervening 216 years and yet we still treat every one—and every consignor—with the respect and professionalism they deserve.

With multiple auctions each year, our Books and Manuscripts department offers for sale printed books, manuscripts, fine bindings, photography, posters, prints, autographs, and maps. Although our focus always shifts with the material at hand, we have been particularly successful with the prints of John James Audubon, Americana, Medieval manuscripts, Presidential letters and documents, and material related to the history of Travel and Exploration. We offer individual works as well as single-owner collections and recently were pleased to offer selections from the libraries of hedge fund manager, champion squash player, and statistician Victor Niederhoffer as well as Ambassador and Mrs. Alexander Weddell | The Virginia House Museum.

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Records and Results

85 - [Illuminated Manuscripts] [Charles X]

[Illuminated Manuscripts] [Charles X]
Book of Hours, use of Rouen, late 15th century
Sold for $87,500
Estimated at $40,000 - $60,000

1 piece. Hand-Colored Engraving with Aquatint...
Sold for $86,500
Estimated at $70,000 - $100,000

1 piece. Original Photograph Signed. Lincoln,...
Sold for $106,250
Estimated at $8,000 - $12,000

[Prints] Audubon, John James
American White Pelican
Sold for $62,500
Estimated at $50,000 - $80,000

1 piece. Autograph Manuscript Signed. Doyle,...
Sold for $80,500
Estimated at $5,000 - $8,000

[DECORATIVE ARTS]
book of various types of native ottoman dress
Sold for $137,500
Estimated at $4,000 - $6,000

[Americana] [Champlain, Samuel de]
Les voyages du sieur de Champlain xaintongeois, capitaine ordinaire pour le Roy, en la marine. Divisez en deux livres. ou, journal tres-fidele des observations faites es descouuertures de la nouuel...
Sold for $201,600
Estimated at $40,000 - $60,000

26 - [Incunabula] Gutenberg, Johann (printer)

[Incunabula] Gutenberg, Johann (printer)
Leaf From the Gutenberg Bible
Sold for $81,250
Estimated at $40,000 - $60,000

(Scranton Estate : Americana). The Federalist:...
Sold for $93,750
Estimated at $60,000 - $90,000

(American Maps) 1 Vol. [Clark, Matthew;...
Sold for $212,500
Estimated at $150,000 - $250,000

The library at The Virginia House Museum

The Collection of Victor Niederhoffer

June 19, 2019, September 19, 2019 & January 20, 2020

Hedge fund manager and statistician Victor Niederhoffer amassed an eclectic collection that spanned disciplines and reflected various passions. Formed over many years, the collection encompassed larger themes such as human accomplishment and heroic achievement. Totaling over $1m, the single-owner sale was comprised of impressive American and European sterling silver trophies and other fine examples that celebrated the craftsmanship and technical prowess of the greatest silversmiths; patriotic and whimsical Americana; folk and illustration art; and a wide selection of first editions, autographs, fine bindings and sporting books from his personal library. Additional selections from Niederhoffer's library were offered in two subsequent sales.

Sell-Through Rate: 95%

Pre-sale Estimate: $574,400-902,300

result: $1.3M

Across Continents: Property from the Collection of Ambassador & Mrs. Alexander Weddell | The Virginia House Museum

April 10, 2019

Freeman's was proud to offer selected property from the collection of United States Ambassador Alexander Weddell (1876-1948) and his wife Virginia Chase Steedman Weddell (1874-1948), deaccessioned by the Virginia House Museum, in a single-owner sale. The time-capsule collection incorporated art and objects from all over the world, including Spain, Europe, Near & Far East, Britain, and the Americas. This vast collection was held together by the Weddells’ personal story—their shared travels, their love for each other, and their joint passion to collect items with which to furnish their beloved Virginia House in Richmond. Spirited bidding was a common occurrence throughout the single-owner auction, which more than doubled its pre-sale estimate and to date recorded the highest number of registered bidders for a single auction at Freeman’s.