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  4. > The celebrated reference library of H.P. Kraus … Bookbinding reference; Cartography reference; History reference; Literary reference; Journals; Book illustration and art reference; Early printing and typography; Auction, dealer, and other book catalogues § The inventory of H.P. Kraus (catalogues of the reference library and residual stock of H.P. Kraus, Inc., sold by Sotheby's, New York, 18-20 November and 4-5 December 2003)
Sotheby's (New York)

The celebrated reference library of H.P. Kraus … Bookbinding reference; Cartography reference; History reference; Literary reference; Journals; Book illustration and art reference; Early printing and typography; Auction, dealer, and other book catalogues § The inventory of H.P. Kraus (catalogues of the reference library and residual stock of H.P. Kraus, Inc., sold by Sotheby's, New York, 18-20 November and 4-5 December 2003)

New York, Sotheby's, 2003
Two volumes (27 cm), I: (18-20 November 2003): 444 pp., illustrations (most in colour). Lots numbered 1-1088. II (4-5 December 2003): 540 pp., illustrations (most in colour). Lots numbered 1-654. Publisher’s pictorial wrappers. - The inventory and reference library were sold en bloc by the Kraus family and Executors of Hanni Kraus (1919-2003), and offered as the property of Sotheby’s New York. In pre-sale publicity, Sotheby’s estimated that the auction would bring $9-12 million. Despite initial misgivings - “a sale so vast in a limited market does not sound like good business”, The Book Collector, Autumn 2003, p.398 - “the result in the rooms was far from unsatisfactory, and if not all the best books sold directly, some unsold have already found new homes. Sotheby’s can have no need to worry about their investment” (saleroom report, Spring 2004, pp.108-109). ¶ Corner of “Inventory” bumped; otherwise very good, unmarked copies.

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Subjects
Auction sale catalogues - Books - 2003
Bibliography - Auction sale catalogues
Authors/Creators
Sotheby's (New York)
Owners
H.P. Kraus (New York)
Kraus, Hans Peter, 1907-1988
Auction date
20031118
20031205

  • This collection contains

  • Sotheby's (New York)

    The celebrated reference library of H.P. Kraus (catalogue for an auction conducted by Sotheby's, New York, 18-20 November 2003)

    New York, Sotheby's, 2003
    (27 cm), 444 pp., illustrations (chiefly in colour). 1088 lots. Publisher’s pictorial wrappers. - “The chaotic dispersal of one of the greatest reference libraries ever put together by a bookseller… It might have been better if the books had been sold off the shelf as they stood in the shop. As it was, it was hard to find works individually catalogued, let alone those in multiple lots whose contents defeated comprehension… The illustrations added to the problem, since they were misplaced, wrongly captioned, and in one instance at least (De Bure’s Bibliographie Instructive) nowhere listed” (saleroom report in The Book Collector, Spring 2004, p.102). ¶ Good, unmarked copy.
    Subjects
    Auction sale catalogues - Books - 2003
    Authors/Creators
    Sotheby's (New York)
    Owners
    H.P. Kraus (New York)
    Kraus, Hans Peter, 1907-1988
    Auction date
    20031205
  • Sotheby's (New York)

    The inventory of H.P. Kraus (catalogue for an auction conducted by Sotheby's, New York, 4-5 December 2003)

    New York, Sotheby's, 2003
    (27 cm), 540 pp., illustrations (most in colour). 654 lots. Publisher’s pictorial wrappers. - Saleroom report in The Book Collector, Spring 2004, pp.108-109. ¶ Good, unmarked copy.
    Subjects
    Auction sale catalogues - Books - 2003
    Authors/Creators
    Sotheby's (New York)
    Owners
    H.P. Kraus (New York)
    Kraus, Hans Peter, 1907-1988
    Auction date
    20031205
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