Valuable Books and Manuscripts

Christie’s Valuable Books and Manuscripts auction on 10 July brings together a selection of important medieval and renaissance manuscripts, autograph letters, maps, globes, and printed books from the fields of early printing, science, economics, travel and natural history, private press books and modern first editions. Of particular note are an early pair of English table globes from c.1690, the beautiful de Gouvetz Hours with illumination by Maître François, a letter from Ringo Starr in 1962 in which he announces he has joined The Beatles, the dedication copy of Eric Ambler’s greatest novel The Mask of Dimitrios, and the autograph manuscript for Patrick O’Brian’s final, unfinished novel. We are also honoured to present highlights from the library of Prime Minister William Gladstone, including his copy of Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations (1776) which so influenced his political and economic beliefs.

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