Most expensive sales from April to June 2023

This is a very rare watercolor painting by Jean-Frédéric Bosset de Luze (1754-1838).

Helvécia is a village community in the southern part of the Brazilian state of Bahia. Formerly known as Leopoldina, Helvécia was a former Swiss colony, and owes its name to the plantation from which it originated.

The plantation was founded in 1818, and cultivated over 90% of coffee for Bahia. By the middle of th 19th century, it had become one of the most important coffee exporters in Brazil.

This success was due to the large-scale exploitation of enslaved people, a practice supported by the federal government of the time. Slavery in Brazil was only abolished in 1888.

Sold by Apple Boutique, Drawings, Prints & Books

This autographed letter by T. E. Lawrence was signed "TE Shaw" and dated December 22^nd 1924.

At this time, Lawrence working on an autobiographical account of his experiences as an adviser to Bedouin forces during the Arab Revolt. It later served as a basis for the 1962 movie Lawrence of Arabia.

In the letter, Lawrence addresses a U.S. businessman who was who was eager to read his book and became one of its subscribers.

"Do you feel justified in chucking away so much on an amateur production? The writing is pretentious, dull, hysterical, egotistical, + preternaturally long."

The book, Seven Pillars of Wisdom, published two years later, saw a limited print run of 200 copies.

Sold by Antiquariat INLIBRIS Gilhofer Nfg. GmbH

Lawrence on Lawrence: a really splendid example of his jauntily diffident style, and perhaps personality. That the recipient of this letter would go on to head the London Station of OSS Secret Intelligence only adds to the intrigue.

Christopher Frey (Antiquariat Inlibris)

The great Persian poet Nizami Ganjavi composed his version of the romantic love story of Layla and Majnun in the 12th century.

This is a 19th century illustrated manuscript in Farsi from the Quajar period with 26 miniature paintings depicting important scenes in the romance, painted with vivid colors in the contemporary Qajar style.

The story was described by Lord Byron as “the Romeo and Juliet of the east", and it inspired Eric Clapton to write his song Layla.

Sold by Shapero Rare Books

Cormac McCarthy is widely regarded as one of the greatest American novelists. He died on June 13, 2023.

This is a signed first edition of his fifth book, Blood Meridian, from 1985.

Sold by Raptis Rare Books

Oliver Byrne's edition of the first six books of Euclid's Elements was published in 1847.

The innovative design uses color for educational purposes. It seems to prefigure the designs of much later modern artists like Piet Mondrian or the Bauhaus movement.

Copies of the original edition are extremely rare. A reprint edition by Taschen is available for readers with a more modest budget.

Sold by Sophia Rare Books

One of the most attractive editions of Euclid. The Elements is the oldest mathematical textbook still in common use today, and very few books have exercised a greater influence upon the human mind.

Christian Westergaard (Sophia Rare Books)

Paris, Le Soleil Noir, 1971. One of the 24 numbered copies with four lithographs in color, plus a suite of lithographs in black, and one etching in color.

All prints are signed and numbered in pencil by the famous artist Joan Miró (1893-1983).

Antonella Manganelli (Marninart) said, about this item: "I’m delighted and honored to have had this portfolio book in my hands for a brief time. For this portfolio,

Miro created an etching with a black background and red scratch marks, opening to a small dot of light with a blue swirl in the center.

With this striking contrast between darkness and light, Miro depicts the feeling between constraint and freedom.

As a dealer of rare, illustrated books, I am always fascinated by how the power of words has inspired artists throughout the centuries and the way they are able to blend shapes and colors to give life to their words."

Sold by Marninart Rare Art Books

I’m delighted and honored to have had this portfolio book in my hands for a brief time.

Antonella Manganelli (Marninart)

This is a Limited issue (copy #362 of 760), signed by Albert Einstein (b. 1879, d. 1955), one of the most influential physicists of all time.

This first edition, published in 1949 contains the first printing of Einstein’s autobiographical notes.

Einstein created the theory of relativity and was also one of the founders of quantum theory.

Sold by Burnside Rare Books

An iconic physicist whose name is synonymous with genius, it's always a little awe-inspiring to handle such a special piece of history.

Rachel Philips (Burnside Rare Books)

The first edition of this popular book was published in English and French by US publisher Reynal & Hitchcock in 1943.

The Little Prince was translated into over 300 languages.

This copy lacks the dust jacket but is still highly desirable as it was signed by author-aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.

He wrote the book largely on Long Island and in New York. He later returned to war and disappeared on a flight on July 1944.

Sold by Burnside Rare Books

The perfect illustrated tale--beautiful and timeless, loved the world over. I enjoyed it a kid and can still find meaning in it today.

Rachel Phillips (Burnside Rare Books)

The Codex Manesse is the one of the most famous German manuscripts of the Middle Ages.

The book contains the works of over 130 medieval poets together with miniatures of their portraits.

The original manuscript dates from the early 14th century and is currently housed in the Heidelberg University library.

This is a copy of a lavish facsimile edition produced in Frankfurt for the publisher Insel-Verlag between 1925 and 1927.

Sold by Anton Pfeiler

Well preserved, early editions of The Hobbit are highly desired by collectors.

The first printing of the first edition was published in September 1937 with a print run of only 1,500 copies, and a copy was sold on AbeBooks for $65,000.

This third impression was published by Allen and Unwin in 1942.

Discover our guide to collecting J.R.R. Tolkien's books

Ulysses by James Joyce is a landmark work in which the episodes of Homer's Odyssey are paralleled in an array of contrasting literary styles. It is one of the most famous works of classical modernist literature.

The true first edition of 1,000 copies was published in 1922 by Sylvia Beach's Shakespeare and Company in Paris.

Sold by Atlas Rare Books

Antonella Manganelli (Marninart) said, about this item: "Le Goût du Bonheur translates to The Taste of Happiness. It is a rare portfolio that reproduces an almost perfect replica of three of Picasso’s notebooks from April to September of 1964, with 71 drawings in pencil, India ink, charcoal, and colored pencil, in original size printed with the Dietz process.

This deluxe edition presents an etching signed by Picasso frontispiece depicting the smiling artist at work. The portfolio is indeed permeated with happiness. With a series of colorful and playful images, Picasso - then 83 years old - who proposed the title himself, shared the significance of a life lived fully. I am honored to be the dealer of such a wonderful portfolio that inspires happiness in the life of others."

Published by Les Éditions Cercle d'Art (Paris, 1970). Etching printed by Les ateliers Crommelynck. With preface by Jean Marcenac.

Pablo Picasso illustrated many books throughout his career. A catalog raisonné published in 1983 lists 156 works.

Sold by Marninart Rare Art Books