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Britain’s booksellers of choice take on Manhattan
With a splash of mainstream media attention and sharply focused eyes of the collecting community looking on, Bloomsbury Auctions opened its new Manhattan gallery in September. The British-based purveyor of antiquarian books and ephemera quickly set about establishing a physical presence in America with the same level of expertise, standards and professionalism that has been associated with sales at their London and Rome offices, and via the Internet.
Founded in 1983 by Lord John Kerr, Frank Herrmann and David Stagg, the company has worked methodically ever since to establish itself as a leading auction venue for books and other printed matter. Although it has added a number of new specialties in recent years, the company is, at its core, about the auctioning of printed books, “ranging from Incunabula right through to Harry Potter,” as the London portion of the company’s Web site states.
Bloomsbury’s team of cataloguers regularly provides advice and evaluations on a range of books and antiquarian material including such categories as travel and topography, natural history and sport, English literature and history, Continental literature and history, manuscripts and autographed letters, modern first editions, children's books and illustrations, private press, art, architecture and bibliography, science and medicine, and Hebraica and Judaica.
Out of the gate, Bloombsury launched its new U.S. location with three sales in quick succession: The Pamela and Richard Estes Collection of Fine Printing and Private Press (Sept. 26, 2007), Important Printed Books and Manuscripts (Oct. 24) and Americana (Oct. 31). All three drew impressive results, putting an exclamation point on the firm’s decision to add a New York location to its roster.
“Each of the three (Bloomsbury locations) is dedicated to ensuring that the core values on which we are based are adhered to: experienced staff, high levels of customer service, speed and approachability,” said Mikel Lubrano, the firm’s New York-based marketing representative. “Books and works on paper are the lifeblood of Bloomsbury, and we remain the largest book auction house in the world.”
Lubrano added that Bloomsbury plans to develop departments in Prints and Photography at the Manhattan location. “Specialist sales, such as Americana including books, manuscripts, maps and (autographed) letters, appeal greatly to the U.S. market. New York is the natural home for such items.”
Members of staff chosen to join Bloomsbury for its Stateside launch are recognized leaders in their respective fields, and bring a wealth of enthusiasm, knowledge and experience. Additionally, the location of the new saleroom (6 W. 48th St.) was chosen so as to be in the heart of the auction scene in New York.
The collecting world seems to have taken to the auction house’s new location immediately. The successes of their first three sales in New York have been buoyed by both new and long-term clients.
“The reaction has been extremely favorable,” said Lubrano. “Many U.S. and international customers – both private and trade – have welcomed the opportunity to buy and sell in New York with the knowledge that, as leaders in our field, we have the expertise to catalogue, market and sell throughout the world.” Bloomsbury accommodates its global base of customers with the inclusion of real-time Internet bidding through LiveAuctioneers in association with eBay Live Auctions.
Local media was receptive to the British company’s arrival, showing particular interest in the well-timed offering of a 371-year-old land deed to property on Long Island. The document attracted attention from local dailies including the New York Times and Newsday. Further afield, the opening was widely featured in the national and international press, and trade publications carried extensive reports on their first sales.
“We secured a number of fantastic collections before opening,” said Lubrano. “Our inaugural sale was a complete private library. Our specialists are constantly traveling the world to view potential consignments. The London and Rome salerooms currently average one sale per week, so the background team and logistics are already tested and proven to ensure we can deliver such a schedule.’
“On Dec. 12 we are presenting a set of sales titled ‘Memories of Childhood’ and ‘The Perfect Gift,’” Lubrano continued. “The first section will feature children’s literature and illustration, and for this we have gathered a truly comprehensive collection of children’s literature from the 17th- to the late-20th centuries. The sale is divided by subject into early folklore and fairytales; children’s games, classics of the 19th century, and timeless favorites of the 20th century. The auction also will include watercolors by Rackham, Dulac, Sendak and many other notable children’s illustrators. The Perfect Gift will include collectible items, such as beautiful bindings, book-related objects, prints and photographs, watercolors and drawings, and autographs and letters.”
On Dec. 13, Bloomsbury New York will feature 250 lots of classic, vintage and modern posters in a Vintage and Modern Posters sale. “For this sale we have a stunning array of graphically enticing posters that is marked by its breadth of subject matter,” said Lubrano, including travel, film, theater and sports.”
In the antiquarian book market and the other fields in which they operate, Bloomsbury has enjoyed a first-rate reputation with high-end enthusiasts, and have developed close working relationships with those buyers. At the same time, however, Lubrano says the company is critically aware of the importance of cultivating tomorrow’s high-end customer by offering “something for all pockets,” from premium to entry level.
Making the novice collector feel welcome extends beyond the inclusion of affordable items in Bloomsbury’s catalogs. Another key factor is the company’s willingness to go the extra mile in providing information so newer buyers can make informed decisions and enjoy their auction experience.
“The descriptions in our catalogs not only provide the technical information regarding a lot but will frequently contain extended text regarding the background and provenance of the works,” Lubrano said. “Enthusiasts and collectors are always encouraged to contact the specialists directly for further information about their particular item of interest.”
Potential consignors may contact Bloomsbury Auctions’ New York gallery by calling 212-719-1000 or e-mailing
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Learn More: Trends to watch
Many of the different niches in antiquarian book collecting are attracting new buyers. Bloomsbury Auctions’ experts have noted particular interest in these categories:
U.S. Top 10:
1. Americana
2. Early Accounts of Voyages
3. Early Printed Books
4. Illuminated Manuscripts
5. Modern First Editions
6. Atlases and Maps
7. Science and Medicine
8. Children’s Books / Original Illustrations
9. Natural History Books
10. 19th-Century English Literature
European Top Ten:
1. Early Printed Books
2. Illuminated Manuscripts
3. Science and Medicine
4. 18th-Century English Literature
5. Atlases and Maps
6. Early Bindings
7. Natural History Books
8. French Literature
9. 19th-Century Travel Books
10. Private Press Books
Learn More: Caring for Antiquarian Books
In their instructions on how to protect books, the American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works (AIC), an organization that exists to support conservation professionals, outlines seven areas concerning the care of antiquarian books.
These include: environmental conditions, shelving, storage, handling and use, cleaning and maintenance, emergencies and minor disasters, and when to consult a conservator.
“Damage to a book is cumulative,” the Library of Congress states on its Web site. “The repeated incorrect handling and storage of a book can quickly transform a new book into a worn or even an unusable one. Proper handling and storage in a stable, cool, clean, non-humid environment can prolong its life.”
Environment is of paramount importance. Paper, cloth, leather, and glue, like all organic materials, react to light, temperature and humidity. While ultraviolet light causes the most rapid deterioration and normal incandescent lights inflict minimal harm, all forms of light impart damage on some level. Rapid changes in temperature and extremes in humidity also have a negative impact on books. AIC recommends a cool, dry environment maintaining 70 degrees Fahrenheit and 50 percent humidity.
A two-page fact sheet produced by the AIC is available to download from the organization’s Web site at: http://aic.stanford.edu/library/online/brochures/books.pdf
For additional information from the Library of Congress on caring for books, visit http://www.loc.gov/preserv/care/books.html.
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