Lecture by Andrea Mays, Author of The Millionaire and the Bard: Henry Folger’s Obsessive Hunt for Shakespeare’s First Folio

Thursday, July 19th

Andrea Mays, author of The Millionaire and the Bard: Henry Folger’s Obsessive Hunt for Shakespeare’s First Folio, will speak about her book, early printing, collecting, and the upcoming Early English Books auction on July 20. 

Andrea Mays, like fellow New Yorker Henry Folger, has been possessed by a lifelong obsession with Shakespeare and his times.… Read More

Wyeth, Andrew (1917-2009) Archive of Forty-three Signed Autograph Letters and Notes, with Sketches (Lot 1106, Estimate: $80,000-120,000)

MARLBOROUGH, MA – An archive of forty-three unpublished love letters written by secretive and celebrated artist Andrew Wyeth highlights Skinner’s spring auction of Books & Manuscripts. The online-only auction features 592 lots of historical and literary documents, fine and rare books, prints, and maps.… Read More

Darwin, Charles (1809-1882) On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life. London: Murray, 1859. First edition (Lot 1144, Estimate $60,000-$80,000)

MARLBOROUGH, MA, May 13, 2016- This spring’s Fine Books & Manuscripts  online-only auction will open for bidding on Wednesday, May 18 at 12 PM and conclude on Thursday, May 26 at 3PM.

The auction features a well-rounded selection of unique documents and rare printed books, including three documents signed by George Washington (Lots 1107, 1108, & 1109); a large archive of letters and notes by Nantucket whaler Seth Pinkham (Lot 1072, estimated between $10,000 and $15,000); a rare large-format signed photograph of Charles Dickens (Lot 1025, $8,000-$10,000); an early John F.… Read More

Washington, George (1732-1799) Autograph Receipt Signed, Philadelphia, June 1787. (Lot 76, Estimate $4,000-$6,000)

Complete copy of Audubon’s Quadrupeds of North America leads Annual Fall Sale

Boston, MA –October 26, 2015 – Skinner, Inc. will present a Fine Books & Manuscripts auction as part of Boston’s traditional fall calendar of rare book events. The 39th Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair at the Hynes Convention Center runs during the weekend of November 13-15, and the Skinner auction of over four hundred historical and literary documents, fine and rare books, prints, and maps commences on Sunday, November 15th, at 11AM.… Read More

Dutch Manuscript Prayerbook with Three Hand-Colored Woodcuts, Late-15th Century. (Estimate $2,000-$2,500)

Boston, MA –May  22, 2015 –  This spring’s Fine Books and Manuscripts auction at Skinner, Inc. will remain true to its title, featuring printed and handwritten material spanning six centuries and celebrating cultural, literary, and historical milestones. The online-only sale will begin on May 27th, 2015 at 12 P.M.… Read More

Kerouac, Jack (1922-1969) Typed Letter, with Manuscript Additions (Lot 44, Estimate $3,000-$5,000)

BOSTON, MA – October 28, 2014 – Skinner, Inc. will present a Fine Books & Manuscripts auction as part of Boston’s traditional fall rare book events. The 38th Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair at the Hynes Convention Center runs during the weekend of November 14-16, and the Skinner auction of 490 lots of historical and literary documents, fine and rare books, prints, and maps commences on Sunday, November 16th, at 10 a.m.… Read More

BOSTON, MA – May 1, 2014 – Skinner, Inc. announces a Fine Books & Manuscripts auction on May 31st featuring early American documents, rare books, manuscripts, natural history prints, and antique maps. Department director Devon Gray notes, “New England culture treasures books, history, and education; Massachusetts is home to Harvard University, the Antiquarian Society, and the Boston Public Library. Skinner is in a unique position to present important American documents at auction.”

Important Documents

Declaration of Independence.

… Read More

BOSTON, MA – December 5, 2013 – Skinner, Inc. is pleased to announce strong results from its November 17 auction of Fine Books & Manuscripts. Grossing over $1.1 million, this sale garnered tremendous enthusiasm across both emerging and established collecting areas, highlighting Skinner’s continued growth in the category.

Early Photography

Sold for $192,000: Gardner, Alexander (1821-1882) Photographic Sketch Book of the War.

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Merian, Maria Sybilla (1647-1717) Histoire Generale des Insectes de Surinam et Toute L’Europe. Paris: Desnos, 1771 (Lot 214, Estimate $45,000-$65,000)

BOSTON, MA – October 25, 2013 – Skinner, Inc. will feature an exceptional selection of important rare books, including a section of children’s books, historic documents, natural history prints, and maps during its Fine Books & Manuscripts auction, November 17.… Read More

BOSTON, Mass. – May 22, 2013 – Skinner, Inc. will host an auction of Fine Books & Manuscripts on June 1st in its Boston gallery. The sale will feature a large group of Audubon imperial folio prints of North American quadrupeds, literary firsts, modern first editions, theological works, presidential documents, and a group of fine maps.

Presidential Documents

Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865) Photographic Portrait by Alexander Gardner (1821-1882) (Lot 35, Estimate $20,000-$30,000)

The auction opens with three documents signed by John Quincy Adams, including a letter written to the American consul in Russia in 1815 (lot 2, estimated between $3,000 and $5,000) that contains a large section on Robert Fulton’s steamship agreement with the Russians; a legal brief drafted early in Adams’s career (lot 1, $400 to $600); and a signed ship’s passport from 1825 (lot 3, $600 to $800).… Read More