Franklin Delano Roosevelt, autograph letter signed as President, concerning collective bargaining. Sold for $13,530

“Alexander Hamilton actually touched this!” Many of us have felt this childlike sense of excitement at museums, libraries, in the classroom, and in historic buildings where important events took place. When the impulse to collect grabs hold, the excitement increases exponentially.

The sense of awe we feel gazing through glass at a museum can be replaced by the intoxicating pride of ownership: Alexander Hamilton actually touched this, and now it’s mine!… Read More

Harry Clarke (1889–1931), The Baptism of St. Patrick, 1912. National College of Art and Design, Dublin

The Irish Arts & Crafts movement often does not get the attention it deserves in publications and exhibitions. That is why it was particularly exciting to visit the Making It Irish exhibition at the McMullen Museum of Art at Boston College over the weekend. The curators have brought together over 150 objects, including textiles, metalwork, glass, furniture, books, and jewelry, to examine the movement in the context of the enormous social and political upheavals that characterized Ireland in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.… Read More

Armadillo from Audubon, John James (1785-1851) and Reverend John Bachman (1790-1874) The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America. (Lot 93, Estimate $200,000 – $300,000)

An independent Audubon Society has decided to de-accession one of the great masterpieces of 19th century natural history book illustration. The Society has a mission: to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity.… Read More

Roberts III, John (1724-1778) Manuscript Memorandum and Account Books. Offered in the upcoming spring book auction: May 27- June 7, 2015

Massachusetts is home to a wealth of institutional rare book libraries and special collections, private and public. Collecting groups, college and town libraries, historical societies, and museums contain an astonishing depth of irreplaceable monuments to our collective social and intellectual history.… Read More

Silk Embroidery of Xi Wangmu, China (Lot 294, Estimate $200-$400)

 

MARLBOROUGH, Mass. – February 6, 2015 – Skinner, Inc. will host an Asian Art – Online auction of over 500 objects from China, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia beginning on February 17 and running through February 27, 2015. On February 26, Skinner will offer over 400 additional lots in a live auction at our Marlborough Gallery. The auctions feature a diverse group of decorative items ranging from Chinese ceramics and porcelain to cloisonné, paintings, and furniture.… Read More

Devon Gray, Director, Fine Books & Manuscripts

Friday November 14th, 5:30PM in Boston

Reception: 5:30PM Gallery Walk: 6PM

REGISTER NOW

Skinner Boston Gallery 63 Park Plaza Boston, MA 02116

Join Devon Gray for a tour of auction highlights

Skinner has the privilege to offer a group of newly discovered letters written by a teen-aged Jack Kerouac to a boyhood friend. The Fine Books & Manuscripts Auction also presents 490 lots of historical and literary documents, fine and rare books, prints, and maps, and will be presented as part of Boston’s traditional fall rare book events, including the 38th Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair.… Read More