Thomas Hardy Collection – Online Only Sale

Hardy is regarded as one of the most influential English novelists and poets and over the years his works have become highly collectible. This online only sale features some fantastic items, including several first editions and signed books. Of particular note is a school book, ‘Popular System of Classical Instruction Combining the Methods of Locke Ascham Milton. Virgil’s Aeneid…’ It has been signed ‘T Hardy’ with the bookplate ‘From the Library of Thomas Hardy, O.M. Max Gate’ affixed to the front endpaper. There are first editions of ‘Wessex Poems and Other Verses’, ‘Human Shows Far Phantasies Songs and Trifles’, ‘Winter Words In Various Moods and Metres’ amongst others. Another highlight is ‘The Early Life of Thomas Hardy 1840-1891’ and ‘The Later Years of Thomas Hardy 1892-1928’ both signed by Florence Hardy.

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October Sale Success!

Our October 10th sale was once again a great success, with great results across the entire auction. The major highlight was the sale of a copy of Peron’s Voyage to Australia with Colour Plates. This stunning four-volume set (Bound in three) includes the first detailed, complete map of Australia as well as 40 plates depicting the voyage and discoveries made. This lot achieved $20,000AUD and was the highest value item sold on the day.

Other items of note included the sale of a pair of lovely photo albums with images of early church missions in aboriginal Australian communities. The $1,900 result is indicative of the resurgence in popularity of this type of material. We also had a huge collection of military books, with many rare unit histories going under the hammer. Results in this section included the 2/3 Australian Field Regiment ($500), 2/27th Battalion Brown & Blue Diamond ($350) and The Seventh Company A.I.F. ($700).

Antiquarian books once again proved popular with results including a 1670 Gregorian Chant achieving $900, and a manuscript choir book selling for $2,000. There were too many highlights to list them all, but indications are that the book trade is indeed very healthy with plenty of new buyers entering the market and many of the regulars being highly active.