The History of Books & Manuscripts at Swann Galleries Bibliophilia is an Art at New York’s Oldest Auction House Bibliophiles of every denomination—Americana, autographs, art books, archives, atlases, ephemera, literature, maps—can find their niche at Swann Galleries. Originally founded in New York as a book auction house, we hold regular specialized sales devoted to books, printed material and manuscripts. Books & Manuscripts Specialists Rick Stattler, Director Printed & Manuscript Americana Printed & Manuscript African Americana Rick Stattler joined Swann in 2007. Previously, Rick spent 15 years in the library world, first as manuscript curator and library director at the Rhode Island Historical Society, and then as an archivist at Harvard’s Houghton Library. George S. Lowry, Director Emeritus George S. Lowry, Chairman of Swann Galleries, served as President and Chief Auctioneer from 1970 to 2000. He became Chairman in 2001. Since acquiring the business from its founder Benjamin Swann, he has steered the company from a three-person business serving the book trade to its current position as the leading American auctioneer of rare and antiquarian books and works of art on paper. Devon Eastland, Senior Specialist Early Printed Books Devon Eastland is Swann Galleries’ Senior Specialist of early printed books, having joined Swann in early 2020. Devon has three decades of experience as a bookseller—in 1992 she began a bookselling business that focused on books printed before 1700, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In 2012, Devon began working in the auction world at Skinner, as Director of the Book Department, handling a variety of material. She appeared as a guest appraiser on the 2019 season of Antiques Roadshow, and is also an auctioneer. Christine von der Linn, Specialist Illustration Art Art, Press & Illustration Books Christine von der Linn is head of illustration art and a Senior Specialist in the books department, focusing on art, architecture, fine press and illustrated books. She has nurtured the illustration art department from dedicated annual sales beginning in 2013 to popular biannual events. Marco Tomaschett, Specialist Autographs Marco Tomaschett joined the autographs department in 2007, following four years as a books administrator. Together with Rick Stattler, Marco produced the catalogue for the Allyn Kellogg Ford Collection, the most successful book-department auction in Swann’s history, at the time of sale. John D. Larson, Specialist 19th & 20th Century Literature Since 1990, John D. Larson has been a writer, editor, archivist and books and manuscripts specialist with an emphasis on 19th and 20th Century Literature. He joined Swann in 2011 and has since catalogued several collections including the Lawrence M. Solomon Collection of Mystery, Detective & Science-Fiction Literature. Caleb Kiffer, Specialist Maps & Atlases Caleb Kiffer is the Maps & Atlases Specialist at Swann. The department covers an exceptionally wide range of material including maps, atlases, globes and navigational instruments; natural history books, prints and drawings; American and foreign books with plates; decorative graphics; and ephemera from the fifteenth century through the early 1900s. David Rivera, Administrator Books & Manuscripts David Rivera has worked at Swann Galleries since 2007, and currently serves as Administrator for the Books & Manuscripts Department. David is instrumental in putting together our African Americana catalogues, and oversees book department exhibitions. Are you also a Bibliophile? Our books and manuscripts specialists organize approximately 15 specialized sales per year, and we’d love to see you at the next auction or exhibition. There are many ways to stay in touch: opt-in to Auction Updates for email reminders about auction dates, when new catalogues are posted, sale highlights and exhibition openings; sign up for our newsletter to get periodic auction news and highlights; or download our live bidding app to browse, bid and livestream sales on the go. Do you have your own collection? Over the years the department has handled exceptional single-owner collections: Revolutionary Americana from the Allyn Kellogg Ford Collection The Lawrence M. Solomon CollectionThe Harold Holzer Collection of LincolnianaThe Esther Salinas Collection of Fine Illustrated & Press BooksAstronomy & Science Books from the Library of Martin C. Gutzwiller The department welcomes inquiries: learn more about consigning with us here. Consign with Swann Swann Auction Galleries Share Facebook Twitter October 7, 2019Author: Swann CommunicationsCategory: Autographs Tags: book auction house new york Books & Manuscripts rare books Previous Artist Profile: Aaron Douglas Next Rembrandt Etchings from the John Villarino Collection Recommended Posts October 2022 Sale of Early Printed Books Brings the Highest-Grossing Auction for the Category at Swann Early Printed Books October 18, 2022 A Look Inside the Catalogue: 19th & 20th Century Literature Books & Manuscripts October 3, 2018 Early Modern Women’s Books: Scholar Sarah Lindenbaum on Gift Books Focus On Women May 1, 2023