This quarter's top ten spans iconic novels, fine art, and foundational scholarly works across three centuries. From fantasy and science fiction to hand-colored engravings and the texts that shaped modern language and economic thought, these sales reflect the extraordinary breadth of rare book collecting.
From Tolkien's Middle-earth to the birth of modern economics: Literary treasures across three centuries
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling - $29,900
First edition softcover with Thomas Taylor's iconic Hogwarts Express illustration, showing vibrant unfaded colors and the Wendy Cooling review quote at the base
This exceptional first edition, second printing softcover from Bloomsbury is among the scarcest Harry Potter copies in existence. With a complete number line down to 1, the Wendy Cooling review on the front board, and the characteristic "Joanne Rowling" credit, it ticks every collector's box.
The fine condition is remarkable: unfaded spine colors, tight binding, and pristine interior pages with no marks or inscriptions. Formerly in the stock of Peter Harrington, this copy appears virtually unread.
Sold by Meier And Sons Rare Books
The title that launched a transformative series in the genre of young adult literature, captivating an entire decade of youth. This copy is a remarkable example.
Lisa Meier (Meier And Sons Rare Books)
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien - $28,000
Original green cloth binding with Tolkien's own dark green pictorial design of mountains and a dragon, published by George Allen & Unwin Ltd.
One of just 1,500 copies from the 1937 first printing, this copy retains its original green cloth with Tolkien's distinctive dark green pictorial stamping.
Though lacking the dust jacket and showing honest signs of age, the binding remains intact. Owner bookplates on the front endpapers add a trace of provenance. A rare survivor of one of the 20th century's most beloved fantasy novels in its earliest form.
Sold by Burnside Rare Books
Original Pencil Portrait Drawing of Professor Challenger by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - $22,500
Pencil sketch of Professor Challenger by Arthur Conan Doyle (1913), with handwritten annotation by Lady Jean Conan Doyle identifying the subject
The only known portrait of Professor Challenger drawn by his creator, sketched while Doyle was writing The Lost World. The lined notebook paper bears a caption by Lady Jean Conan Doyle identifying the subject. Doyle famously immersed himself in this character, even posing in costume as Challenger for the novel's frontispiece photograph.
With provenance tracing from the Conan Doyle family through Christie's London, this drawing offers a unique glimpse into the imagination behind one of literature's most vivid fictional scientists.
Sold by James Pepper Rare Books, Inc.
A Dictionary of the English Language by Samuel Johnson - $18,750
Spines of the two folio volumes in contemporary calf, showing gilt-lettered red and black morocco labels: Vol. I (A–K) and Vol. II (L–Z)
This true first edition of Johnson's landmark 1755 dictionary stands as the greatest one-man achievement in English lexicography.
Across two tall folio volumes, Johnson defined some 40,000 words, illustrating their meanings through quotations from the finest English writers.
Unlike modern dictionaries aimed at clinical precision, Johnson's work rewards the curious reader with wit, opinion, and literary depth.
Bound in contemporary calf with contrasting red and black morocco spine labels, this is a handsome, near fine copy of a monument in the history of the English language.
Sold by Charles Agvent, est. 1987
A massive undertaking and result, Johnson's dictionary was important in a number of ways, not the least in its use of quotes to illustrate definitions.
Charles Agvent
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien - $18,200
Tolkien's color plate 'Conversation with Smaug,' one of the illustrations first included in this 1937 second impression
Notable as the earliest version to include Tolkien's color illustrations, this first edition second impression was originally commissioned for the American edition. Only 2,300 copies were printed in 1937, with over 400 destroyed during the London Blitz.
This copy has been finely rebound in full green morocco with a gilt dragon on the front board and all edges gilt, housed in a custom clamshell box. It retains the original map endpapers and the two-page advertisement leaf at the rear.
Sold by Louis88Books
Robinson Crusoe (complete set) by Daniel Defoe - $17,500
Three volumes in period paneled calf with gilt-titled spines, shown alongside the title page of the stated second edition (1719)
All three volumes of Defoe's Robinson Crusoe series survive here in early editions, bound in full period paneled calf. The first volume is a stated second edition, called for just seventeen days after the April 1719 first publication.
Each volume carries its own engraved illustration: a frontispiece portrait of Crusoe, a folding world map, and a folding view of his island. Often called the first English novel, Crusoe's story of survival and self-reliance has inspired literature from adventure tales to modern science fiction.
Sold by Raptis Rare Books
Dune by Frank Herbert - $16,500
First edition in the original Chilton dust jacket with John Schoenherr's atmospheric cover art, alongside the iconic dune-shaped title page
Published by Chilton — better known for auto repair manuals — at the steep price of $5.95, Herbert's science fiction masterpiece initially sold poorly. It went on to tie for the 1966 Hugo Award and win the inaugural Nebula.
Arthur C. Clarke compared it only to The Lord of the Rings for depth and world-building. This copy retains the first-issue dust jacket and the two-page map of Arrakis, in very good plus condition with bright, clean cloth.
Sold by James Cummins Bookseller
The Defence of Guenevere and Other Poems by William Morris (Kelmscott Press) - $15,000
Doves Bindery green morocco with gilt floral tooling, shown with the opening page featuring Kelmscott Press borders, red title, and ornamental initial
Printed by the Kelmscott Press in red and black with elaborate borders and decorative initials, this edition of Morris's debut poetry collection is bound in full dark green morocco by the celebrated Doves Bindery (stamp-signed 1896).
Morris's poem reimagines Queen Guenevere's trial for adultery from her own perspective, drawing on Malory's Le Morte D'Arthur to explore passion, loyalty, and desire. A beautiful marriage of fine printing and fine binding, in near fine condition.
Sold by Whitmore Rare Books, Inc.
T.J. Cobden-Sanderson, the founder of both the Doves Bindery and the Doves Press, was a longtime collaborator of Kelmscott Press founder William Morris. Many Kelmscott publications, including the famous Kelmscott Chaucer, were bound by Cobden-Sanderson. This copy represents not just the outstanding craft of the Kelmscott Press but also the creative partnership between Morris and one of his most trusted collaborators. Morris's poem reimagines Queen Guenevere's trial for adultery from her own perspective, drawing on Malory's Le Morte D'Arthur to explore passion, loyalty, and desire. A beautiful marriage of fine printing and fine binding, in near fine condition. Whitmore Rare Books is proud to stock fine bindings from a variety of celebrated English binderies including the Doves Bindery, Riviere, and Zaehnsdorf, as well as Kelmscott Press publications and other fine press material.
Dan Whitmore (Whitmore Rare Books, Inc.)
An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith - $15,000
Three octavo volumes in contemporary calf with gilt-titled red and green morocco spine labels and gilt floral tooling
Published in Dublin in 1776, shortly after the London first, these three octavo volumes are bound in full contemporary calf with gilt titles and bear the signature of Sir Richard Frankland of Ashgrove.
Smith's arguments for free trade, market-driven pricing, and limited government intervention reshaped political economy and remain foundational to modern thought. Complete sets of this Dublin printing are exceptionally scarce on the market today.
Sold by Jen's Rare Books
Autograph letter signed by Johannes Agricola - $14,400
Handwritten letter by Johannes Agricola, showing the reformer's distinctive script
This extremely rare autograph letter by Johannes Agricola (1494-1566), Martin Luther's close associate and fellow reformer, dates from the mid-sixteenth century. Written to a mayor regarding legal documents and a dispute involving one "von Holzendorff," the letter offers a glimpse into the administrative life of a key Reformation figure. Closing with a warm "I wish you a good morning," it reveals Agricola's personal voice beyond his theological writings.
