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Books & Manuscripts

Bonhams Books & Manuscripts auctions offer the finest printed and manuscript material, ranging from early illuminated manuscripts and incunabula through natural history, medicine, literature, art, music, Americana, fine bindings and private press, and vernacular photography. We hold more than 20 auctions each year in London, Denmark, New York, New England, California and online.

We handle works by writers and historical figures such as Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Oscar Wilde, Alan Turing and Charles Darwin, as well as objects like the gun that killed Billy the Kid and Einstein's violin. In addition, we have set world auction records for a Christopher Columbus letter and a polar exploration artefact, one of Captain Scott's last letters.

Our thematic auctions cover topics as diverse as the History of Science & Technology, Women Through History, Travel and Exploration, Surrealism and Napoleon. Bonhams also handles high-profile single-owner collections, which have included the Library of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, The Estate of Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes, Wassenaar Zoo, and The Medical & Scientific Library of W. Bruce Fye.

Buying and selling books and manuscripts at Bonhams
Bonhams Books & Manuscripts department has specialists covering the UK, Europe, the Americas, South Africa and Asia-Pacific.

With offices and representatives in 22 countries, Bonhams gives buyers and sellers access to a global network of collectors and unparalleled marketing resources to achieve the highest price and level of client satisfaction possible. Contact a specialist directly for more information or submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

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Thinking of selling? Get a free auction estimate by submitting your item online or contacting your local Bonhams. With specialists based in towns and cities worldwide, we are your local auction house.

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Exceptional results

News and stories

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Photo of Ian Ehling

Ian Ehling

Vice President, Head of Department

Ian Ehling is Director of Fine Books and Manuscripts in New York. He has appraised thousands of the rarest and most exquisite books to come to market during his 40 years in the field, and has advised …

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Photo of Matthew Haley

Matthew Haley

Managing Director

Matthew Haley is Managing Director of Bonhams Knightsbridge and has been Head of Bonhams UK Books & Manuscripts Department since 2013. In 2004, he joined Bonhams in London as a specialist in the Books…

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Photo of Darren Sutherland

Darren Sutherland

Specialist

Darren Sutherland is a Senior Specialist in the Fine Books and Manuscripts department at Bonhams New York. He started in the rare book trade in 1996 and spent 20 years pursuing rare and valuable books…

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Photo of Simon Roberts

Simon Roberts

Senior Specialist, Head of Sale

Simon Roberts is Senior Specialist, Head of Sale in the Fine Books and Manuscripts Department, and a senior valuer with over 30 years' experience in the business. He joined Bonhams in 2002 following t…

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Photo of Sarah Lindberg

Sarah Lindberg

Senior Specialist

Sarah Lindberg is a manuscript specialist in the Books & Manuscripts Department, which she joined in 2014. A history graduate from Exeter University, Sarah has a background in publishing, fine and dec…

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Photo of Luke Batterham

Luke Batterham

Senior Valuer

Luke Batterham is a Specialist in Books, Maps, Manuscripts and Historical Photographs, based at Bonhams Knightsbridge. The son of an antiquarian bookseller, Luke joined Bonhams as a senior valuer with…

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Photo of Gretchen Hause

Gretchen Hause

Senior Specialist

Gretchen Hause is a Senior Specialist in the Books & Manuscript department at Bonhams in New York and Boston. She has worked as an auction specialist in the field for over 15 years. Gretchen began her…

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Photo of Lorenza Gay

Lorenza Gay

Associate Specialist

Lorenza Gay is a Cataloguer for Bonhams Books & Manuscripts department in London. As an art historian with a particular interest in iconography, iconology and the history of the book, Lorenza holds a …

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Photo of Tim Tezer

Tim Tezer

Associate Specialist

Tim Tezer is a Junior Specialist in Fine Books and Manuscripts at Bonhams New York. After eight years' experience in the Arms and Armor and Native American Art departments in San Francisco, Tim moved …

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Submit your item online for a free and confidential valuation. If it’s suitable for sale, a specialist will provide an auction estimate and advise on the next steps for selling.

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