The Printed Books, Manuscripts and Maps department at Bellmans Auctioneers handles material from all periods, ranging from early printed books and incunabula to modern first editions and literary archives.
Printed books, manuscripts and maps are offered in dedicated book auctions held twice yearly at our Sussex saleroom, as well as within selected specialist and interiors sales where appropriate.
Items are assessed individually to determine the most suitable auction placement, whether as single lots or grouped collections.
Valuations are available at our Sussex saleroom and by appointment at our London office in South Kensington. We advise on individual books, archives and single-owner collections, covering traditional collecting categories including:
Travel and topography, including maps and atlases
Natural history and science
Sporting and leisure
Fine bindings and private press
Children’s and illustrated books
Modern first editions
Autograph letters and manuscripts
Preliminary advice can also be provided via email, with further inspection arranged where required.
Books have long been collected for their intellectual, historical and cultural significance. At auction, interest ranges from early printed works and antiquarian books to first editions, signed copies and specialist subject collections.
At Bellmans, our Books, Maps and Manuscripts department advises on the valuation and sale of individual items and collections, offering clear guidance based on condition, rarity and current market demand.
Book collecting can take many forms. Some collectors focus on a particular author, subject or period, while others are drawn to first editions, association copies or books of particular historical interest.
From a valuation perspective, factors such as edition, completeness, binding, condition and provenance are often more significant than subject matter alone. Specialist advice helps place books within the appropriate market context.
A first edition is generally understood to be the earliest commercially issued version of a work. These are often sought after by collectors, particularly where condition is good and later alterations are absent.
Not all first editions are rare, and not all rare books are first editions. Value depends on a combination of demand, scarcity, condition and significance.
The terms rare and antiquarian are often used interchangeably, but they describe different characteristics.
Rare books are those that are difficult to find, regardless of age. This may include limited editions, privately printed works or modern first editions.
Antiquarian books are generally defined by age, often dating from before the mid-19th century, though age alone does not guarantee rarity or value.
Many books fall into both categories, and specialist assessment is essential when advising on suitability for auction.
Incunabula refers to books printed before 1501, during the earliest period of European printing. These works are of particular historical interest, reflecting the development and spread of printing across different regions.
While incunabula are both rare and early, they vary widely in subject, quality and value. As with all early material, condition and completeness are key considerations.
Valuations for books, maps and manuscripts are available at our Sussex saleroom and London office.
Whether you are considering selling a single book or an entire collection, the first step is simply to bring the material in for specialist advice.
