Zürich: Beautiful books at nice prices 

On the 5th of March 2011, during a lively auction in our overflowing showroom in the old town, numerous old and valuable books found new owners. Primarily, it was the hour of private collectors who carried out passionate bidding battles in person as well as per telephone, whereas the international libraries and institutes had already submitted their written offers in advance.

In particular, rare old prints were very much sought after, among them a Koberg print from 1486, the work of Anicius Boethius, De Consolatione. Estimate CHF 4000,--, Hammer price CHF 4500,--. Ebenso Caesar’s De bello Gallico, Basel, Th. Wolf, 1531. Estimate CHF 800,--, Hammer price CHF 1900,--; Dante’s Divina comedia, Venice, G. Giolito,1555. Estimate CHF 500,-, Hammer price CHF 2200,--

Boethius, A., De consolatione. Nuremberg, A. Koberger, 1486

Among the modern bibliophile editions, the Kronenhalle commemorative publication, Zürich 1962, with the four original graphics were sold as the estimate price of CHF 1600,--. And a limited Bayros edition, Vienna and Prague, 1923, was auctioned to a bidder from China. 

The old atlases were in great demand, as evidenced in one bidding battle after the other. All of them were sold well beyond the estimated price, e.g. Euler, L., Atlas Geographicus, Berlin, 1753, estimate CHF 2000,--, hammer price CHF 3600,-- or Homann, J.B., Atlas, Nurernberg, 1753, estimate CHF 1200,--, hammer price CHF 2900,--

Atlas Homann, J.B., Nuremberg, 1753 

Old Helvetica and, for several years now, Rhaeto-Romanic literature are among our most revered special areas, a point which enthuses our regular customers as well as new collectors. In this regard, the Rhaeto-Romanic Bible by Schuls, 1679, the first complete bible edition in the Rhaeto-Romanic language, was sold for CHF 2500,-- (Estimate CHF 1800,--). Also worthy of mention: Chiampel, D., Un cudesch da psalms, Lindau, 1605, estimate CHF 200,--, hammer price CHF 550,--. The extraordinarily rare first printing in Grisons, Li Statuti di Valtelina, Poschiavo, 1549, wandered into a museum for CHF 6800,-- (estimate CHF 5‘800,--).

Biblia retoromanica, Scuol, 1679 

The collector as well as the auctioneer were most pleased at the sale of U. Aldrovandi‘s Monstrum historia, Bologna, 1642-1657, hammer price CHF 12‘000,-- (estimate CHF 9‘000,--), given that the collector already owned several sculptural carvings which had been created in accordance with those wood carvings depicted in the book. Thus, sculptures and their original patterns were united. 

„When one auction is over, another auction is on its way“. This motto is most true. That’s why we’re already planning our 

Summer Auction for the 26th of June 2011 

And we warmly invite you to deliver rare works, i.e. individual works as well as entire collections. We’d be happy to come and visit you for a pre-discussion as well. Indeed, you can trust us with the organization of transports and the processing of all formalities. Please make an appointment with us or send us your list, preferably with photographs, where possible.

Post-Auction Report – 29th Rare Book and Art Auction, the 02nd of October 2010

Highlights of the Collection of old medical and pharmaceutical Books in Zürich:

Comprising 263 different lots, the natural history collection of the Zürich physician and medical historian Prof. Dr. Gustav Adolf Wehrli (1888 – 1949), as offered in the special auction on the 2nd of October 2010, was well received by numerous interested national as well as international parties. However, the bidding was, as monitored by the Municipal Authority of the Mayor’s Office of Zürich, won by a Swiss private collector who exceeded the individual offers and thus exclusively acquired this portion of the library, allowing it to be preserved for future generations. Additionally, the very same collector also agreed upon and acquired a pre-emptive right to purchase the second portion of the library. As a result, the second portion is no longer available for public auctioning. By virtue of the enthusiastic and praiseworthy commitment of this purchaser, the natural history part of the collection is now enjoying a true renaissance.

Paracelsus, Opera omnia, 1658

Jungken, J.H., Chirurgia manualis, 1718

Of course, for this 30th Book and Art Auction in March 2011, we would still be happy to receive valuable single works or closed collections. In this respect, we invite you to appropriately accompany your requests with lists and photographs. 

Deadline for Acceptance:  15th of January 2011

We look forward to your visit and would be most happy to establish contact.

Post-Sale Report 28th Rare Book & Art Auction: 26th of June 2010

AN INSIDER'S REVIEW FOR YOU

Zurich: Our multi-faceted offerings of rare books, autographs, maps, graphic arts and paintings aroused great interest among Swiss and international collectors, traders and institutions. The distinctly noticeable upwards trend in the art market manifested itself in lively bidding battles, and these occurred both on-site in the hall and per telephone.

De Wilde, Jacob, Signa antiqua, Amsterdam, 1700, author’s edition of a noble curio collection

Particularly desired were, among others: autographs from Max Frisch, Hermann Hesse, Rainer Maria Rilke, Thomas Mann; four complete editions of the Jugendstil magazine PAN in original condition; the volume “Aus Worpswede”, 1897 with original graphics of the artists’ community of Worpswede; the Bavarian Judicial Procedures Code of 1520; a literary corpus pertaining to History and Napoleon I.; E. Francisci’s complete, early travelogue covering Asia and the South Seas, published by Endter, Nuremberg, 1670; Galileo Galilei’s Opere Citato in the first edition of the complete works, Florence, 1718; Schleiden’s Studies of 1857, from the der Library of the Austrian Crown Prince Rudolf von Oesterreich; and also F. Würtz, Wund-Artzney … with a booklet for midwives and children, Basel, 1695. Last, but not least in this category were rare ex libris books from the Einsiedler Collection Doetsch Benziger; Jacob de Wilde’s remarkable Signa antiqua, Amsterdam from 1700, author’s edition of a noble curio collection which encompasses 60 copperplates by his daughter Maria – as a footnote, no less a figure than Peter the Great personally visited this collection in 1697 and ultimately acquired it for his most opulent domicile in St. Petersburg. A most significant component of the offerings of Rhaeto-Romanic printings is the “Li Statuti di Valtelina”, Chur, 1548, first book ever printed in the Swiss Canton of Grisons. Indeed, this exemplary work of great rarity, being in good condition, exceeded the estimates in a manifold manner.

Among the graphics and paintings which changed hands were: a very fine, already expressive pastel by Cuno Amiet, portraying his wife Anna circa 1910; an original color lithograph by Georges Braque, „Quatre Oiseaux“, circa 1950; woodcarvings by Lucas Cranach from1548; a Bavarian votive plate from the 18th century; Simon Johannes van Douw‘s monumental horse market adjacent to the Quirinal Palace in Rome, 17th century; Additionally, great attention was received by both of the expressive works by Werner Scholz “Mädchen mit schwarzem Umhang” (“Girl with black cape”), pastel, 1931, and das oil painting “Die Braut“, (“The Bride”) 1932, each belonging to a Swiss private collection and not previously offered for sale.

Picasso, P., “Peintre avec modèle”. Etching, 1968 I. (Bloch 1774)

Further interesting lots will be offered until the end of August in our post-auction sale! www.falkauktionen.ch/ List of objects not sold during the 28th Book & Art Auction from the 26th of June 2010

With respect to the autumn and winter auctions, we are happy to receive your postings on a continual basis. Detailed information is available via www.falkauktionen.ch/ Terms

We appreciate your kind attention and look forward to establishing contact with you.