A copy of The Passion (1939) by Andre Suares realised an increase of 41% when it sold for $21,250 against a $10,000-15,000 estimate at Swann Auction Galleries on October 24.
 The Passion features 17 colour aquatints by Rouault and 82 woodcuts by George Aubert |
Numbered 65 from a total edition of 245, the rare work narrates the last day in the life of Christ - along with aquatints from the highly collectible Georges Rouault, which are among the last paintings he ever produced.
A fauvist who was initially apprenticed as a glass painter, Rouault's distinctive style features heavy black outlines and radiant colours that evoke medieval stained glass.
A signed copy of A Catalogue of Chinese Pottery and Porcelain in the Collection of Sir Percival David (1939) by RL Hobson also performed well at the Art, Press and Illustrated Books auction in New York.
It achieved an increase of 66%, selling for $20,000 against a valuation of $8,000-12,000.
 RL Hobson's book comes in a green silk presenation box |
The book features an in depth study of the collection of Sir Percival David (1892-1964), founder of the Bank of India and a renowned collector of Chinese porcelain, and traces many of the items back to their source.
The book is numbered 13 of 300 and is printed on imperial Japanese paper.
A unique presentation copy of the Cranach Press' The Tragedie of Hamlet Prince of Denmarke (1930) realised $17,500 against an estimate of $10,000-15,000 - up 16%.
Produced for the Wilma Marquise de Brion - sister of Cranach Press founder Count Kessler, it is one of just 300 copies printed on Maillol-Kessler paper.
You can view our selection of books and manuscripts here.
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