Books Sale Defies Expectations

BOOKS SALE DEFIES EXPECTATIONS

The latest book sale performed beyond all expectations with Charles Dickens and Mick Jagger leading the way
Sworders were delighted to present a successful Books & Maps sale on Tuesday 31 March. There were three significant collections including those from leading American journalist Linda Stevens and esteemed typographer John Lewis.

Linda Stevens served as an assistant books (and cartoon editor) of Cosmopolitan, Acquisitions Editor at Berkley/Putnam Books, and was for many years a world-travelling reporter for the New York Post. Almost all the books were First Editions, signed/signed and inscribed to her by their authors/illustrators. They were all in very good or better condition and most with price unclipped dust wrappers. The highlight of the collection was a set of three editions of the world famous 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee, which fetched £2,900.

Another remarkable collection was around 100 lots from the library of John and Griselda Lewis. John Lewis (1912-1996): typographer, illustrator, boat designer and sailor. He wrote extensively on the graphic arts. Among a dozen or more of his books were: Printed Ephemera, Anatomy of Printing and monographs on the artists William Heath Robinson, Rowland Hilder and John Nash. Griselda Lewis (1918-2014) was a writer, designer and ceramics collector. She wrote: A Collector's History of English Pottery, A Picture History of English Pottery and An Introduction to English Pottery.

However, the leading lot in this collection was three volumes of both 'Great Expectations' and 'Master Humphrey's Clock' by Charles Dickens. After some very competitive bidding from a number of interested bidders, the books were eventually sold to a UK buyer for £9,000.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable sale with some fantastic results. Sworders are already working on the next Books & Maps sale which will take place on Tuesday 20 October. For any further enquiries please do not hesitate to contact us on (+44) (0)1279 817778 or auctions@sworder.co.uk.