Potter & Potter Auctions is pleased to announce the results of a 282-lot sale celebrating all things Arthur Conan Doyle (British, 1859-1930). It was held on April 20 and was the first offering of materials from the Sherlockian scholar Robert Hess. Future Hess sales are scheduled for early 2024. All prices noted include the company's buyer's premiums.
Important antique books penned by Doyle, including several first editions, took several of the top lot slots in this sale. “The Hound Of The Baskervilles” sold for $8,400. The first edition was printed in London by George Newnes, limited in 1902. This example featured illustrations by Sidney Paget and included its original matching box. A group of seven early American Doyle reprints, possibly pirated editions, realized $6,000. They were published in the early 20th century by Donohue. The collection included “The White Company,” “Micah Clarke,” “A Study in Scarlet,” “The Sign of Four,” and others. “The Sign of Four” sold for $5,520. It appeared in Lippincott’s Monthly Magazine, Vol. XLV. Jan. to June, 1890, and was published in London by Ward, Lock, and Co. and in Philadelphia by J. B. Lippincott Company in 1890.
Other books and publications related to Doyle and Sherlock Holmes were also well represented in the sale's winner's circle. Doyle's “A Study in Scarlet” with illustrations by Nis Jessen (b. 1935) sold for $1,320. It was published in 2005 in Denmark. This first edition with these illustrations, limited issue, was number 60 of 1,000 copies and was signed by Jessen. A complete set of “The Turlock Loams Sherlock Holmes Parodies” and 80 issues of “The Tantalus” made $6,000. These were published by Berkeley in the ca. 1980s-2000s. The collection included 173 publications plus assorted bookmarks. All books were hand-set, printed letter press, and hand-bound first editions, in limitations of about 50 to 250 copies. Most were inscribed or signed. This sought-after collection of parodies was the only known complete set in private hands, the other two complete sets are in institutions.
Antique to vintage posters promoting Sherlock Holmes in performance also caught the eyes, and pocketbooks, of Sherlockians worldwide. The poster for “Sherlock Holmes” brought $5,760. It was printed in 1908 in Paris by Affiches Louis Galice. This full-color example promoted the French version of William Gillette’s play, “Sherlock Holmes.” A poster for “The Hound of the Baskervilles” realized $960. It was printed in Hollywood by 20th Century Fox in 1975 and was for the 1975 re-release of the 1939 film.
Original Doyle letters and manuscripts, ephemera, and category spanning collectibles rounded out this intriguing sale. Doyle's autograph manuscript signed for the article “The Argument From Necromancy” made $4,230. This was addressed to editor Huntley Carter as a contribution to the book “Spiritualism: Its Present-Day Meaning,” which was published in 1920. In this two-page letter, Doyle responded to a list of questions related to spiritualism.
"Part one of Bob Hess' Sherlock collection was a smashing success. Bidders came out in mass and competitively bid all morning, blowing past our presale high estimate. We are excited for the next installment early 2024," according to Chris Brink, director of fine books and manuscripts at Potter & Potter Auctions.
For more information, visit www.potterauctions.com.