BOSTON, MASS. — October 27th-30th was Book Week in Boston, with two antiquarian bookfairs and Skinner’s semi-annual book and manuscript sale. Finishing as $65,190 was H.J. Warre’s Sketches in North America and the Oregon Territory, with sixteen hand-colored plates and map. Published in 1848, Warre had been sent by England to attempt to resolve a boundary dispute concerning Oregon and this volume was the report on his exploration. Skinner’s sale also included a collection of George Washington letters and manuscripts, with a 1751 autograph survey by Washington bringing $31,980. There were documents and letters by several other presidents, including Lincoln, Jefferson, Madison, as well as numerous historical documents.

Audubon prints did well with an elephant folio Fish Hawk plate from the Havell first edition, realizing $43,050. Other ornithological prints did well, as did books concerning western exploration. The two bookfairs included over 175 exhibitors, both offered a wide array of material, and both were well attended. A full report will follow.