Auctions offer a moment where the sometimes-incalculable significance of an object is quantified. The price is reached through collaboration: specialists, consignors, the market, and finally, bidders convene in the room,…
Our Illustration Art auction on January 22 features a section of works by cartoonists and cover artists from The New Yorker magazine. As the January catalogue is sent off to…
In honor of the 75th anniversary of everyone’s favorite French schoolgirl, our Art Books specialist Christine von der Linn submitted this post. A featured item in our inaugural Illustration auction…
A plate from Allatini’s Sur Talons Rouges, illustrated by Gerda Wegener. Many of the biggest names in Hollywood have been rumored to be part of an upcoming film based on…
Lot 268: Edward Gorey’s poster for New York City Ballet is a classic image– and not necessarily one that brings to mind Gorey. “I didn’t know GOREY did that…
On May 7, Swann will auction The Edward Gorey Collection of Samuel Speigel, and the catalogue for that sale opens with this charming recollection from Speigel himself: Lot 241: The…
On May 7, Swann will auction one of the top private collections of Edward Gorey books, illustrations and ephemera as part of our Art, Press & Illustrated Books sale. Below,…
Christine von der Linn, Swann’s Art & Illustrated Books expert, shares some insight into this week’s 20th Century Illustration auction: One of the challenges of putting together a sale of…
Our January 23 Illustration sale boasts an abundance of original book-cover art, many examples of which became iconic images of the literary works they graced and, in some cases, defined…
Among the visually appealing works in tomorrow’s auction of Art, Press & Illustrated Books is a fascinating pedagogical workbook in the manner of Kindergarten founder Friedrich Wilhelm August Fröbel’s early…
Among the highlights of Swann’s Art, Press & Illustrated Books auction on Thursday is Mikhail Larionov’s copy of Vladimir Mayakovsky’s Dlia Golosa [For the Voice], which was designed by Lazar Markovich (aka El Lissitzky). It is featured…
Thursday, May 9th, our sale of Art, Press & Illustrated Books will feature the inventory of the late Irving Oaklander, known to all who sought rare books about graphic design,…
The prescient motto that has graced the front of the Secession Building in Vienna since 1897–“To every age its art, to art its freedom”–speaks to the legacy of Gustav Klimt…
This week we said goodbye to beloved illustrator and author Maurice Sendak. He holds a special place in the hearts of our Swann family as told through an anecdote relating…
The Kelmscott Chaucer is considered the finest Arts and Crafts era publication, and the pinnacle of private press publishing Perhaps the most famous of the private presses, the Kelmscott Press at Hammersmith…
Yesterday’s auction of Art, Press & Illustrated Books / 19th & 20thCentury Literature saw activity in all sections of the catalogue, and for every successfully sold item, there were numerous…
Thanks to John D. Larson of Swann’s books department for this eye-opening post! Decadent! Erotic! Phantasmagoric! Fin-de-siècle grotesqueries! Gents and ladies disporting themselves, occasionally with a zealous attention…
October 10 marks the 50th anniversary of the publication of Joseph Heller’s satirical anti-war novel Catch-22. There’s been much news coverage, and various related events are planned, including an October…
The top lots in yesterday’s Art, Press & Illustrated Books and 19th & 20th Century Literature sales represented each of the categories, indicating a strong selection of material across genres. Jasper…
Our May 12 auction of Art, Press & Illustrated Books; and 19th & 20th Century Literature wraps up with a section devoted to science fiction, fantasy and thriller fiction. Most of…
There is a sign tacked to the cork board of the Art & Illustrated Books Department clipped from a forgotten source years ago that states: “What’s the difference between artist’s…
Today, the world crashes the wedding of Will and Kate through the wonders of digital media. And Swann celebrates the mother country in classic, and always collectible, print form. Agnes…
The Four Gospels of the Lord Jesus Christ According to the authorized version of King James I, Illustrated by Eric Gill. One of 12 rare copies on Roman Vellum. Inscribed by…
Edward Gorey’s career was fittingly designed for a posthumous resurgence. The writer, illustrator, costume and set designer who passed away 10 years ago had an attraction to the dark, mysterious,…
Ian Fleming, The Man with the Golden Gun, Advance Uncorrected Proof and First Edition, London 1965. Estimate: $600 to 900. AND Ian Fleming, Diamonds are Forever, First Edition, London, 1956.…
Occurring just a week before the Jewish holiday of Passover, Swann Galleries’ April 2 auction of Fine Books offers significant Judaica works, including desirable early and modern haggadot. Among the…
