Potter & Potter Auctions held its first book sale of the year on Feb. 16. This 531-lot event realized over $630,000 and had a 95-percent sell through rate. Prices noted below include a buyers premium. Books by, or with ties to, beloved American author Samuel L. Clemens (Mark Twain 18351910) generated impressive results. A first edition presentation copy of W.W. Jacobs (British, 1863-1943) Salthaven, inscribed to and by Twain, realized $31,250. Published by Methuen & Co. in London in 1908, Twain additionally inscribed on the half title, Its a delightful book. Mark. Below, Twain further reaffirms this statement, apparently in passing the book to someone else: Bog House, Bermuda, March/10. I have read it about 5 times. The above verdict stands. A 37-volume collection of The Works of Mark Twain, published in New York by Gabriel Wells between 192325, sold for $11,875. This limited-edition set, number 79 of 1024 copies of the Definitive Edition, was signed by Twain on the front flyleaf of Volume I. The volumes retained their original dust jackets. A 25-volume collection of Mark Twains Works published in Hartford by the American Publishing Company from 18991907 realized $16,250. This set, number 233 of 512 copies of the Autograph Edition for subscribers, was published on India paper designed by Tiffany & Co. and etched by W.H.W. Bicknell. It also featured numerous engravings, 18 of which were signed by their respective artist. This collection is considered the rarest and most desirable of all the Twain sets among experts. This sale featured remarkable first editions of some of the noteworthy books of the past two centuries. J.R.R. Tolkiens (18921973) The Lord of the Rings trilogy sold for $19,200. Threesome included The Fellowship of the Ring from 1954, The Two Towers from 1954, and The Return of the King from 1955, and all were published in London by Allen & Unwin Ltd. Theodore Roosevelts (18581919) The Naval War of 1812 or The History of the United States Navy During the Last War with Great Britain realized $11,250. It was published in New York by G.P. Putnams Sons in 1882. This first edition of the authors debut book was published when Roosevelt was 23 and would go on to become a classic of naval history. Henry David Thoreaus (181762) Walden or Life in the Woods brought $13,750. It was published in Boston by Ticknor and Fields in 1854. This first edition was one of only 2,000 copies printed and had provenance to Alexander W. Longfellow Sr. (18141901), the brother of poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The auction came full circle with antiquarian books and illustrations. William Shakespeares (15641616) The Third Part of Henry the Sixt, With the Death of the Duke Of Yorke realized $25,000. It was published in London by Isaac Jaggard and Ed. Blount in 1623. The folio consisted of 26 pages on 13 leaves and was page numbered 147 through 172. It featured a woodcut head and tail piece. This piece of history was extracted from the first folio printing of the complete third part of this play set during the lifetime of King Henry VI of England. A full length lithographic portrait of Albert Einstein (18791955) playing the violin by Emil Orlik (18701932) made $11,400. It was drawn in 1928 and signed and dated on its lower left by Einstein and signed and marked as a proof by the artist. Potters experts could locate only one other signed proof of this image, which is housed at the American Institute of Physics. The Journal of the Lewis & Clark Expedition sold for $8,125. This lot included 13 volumes. They were edited by Gary E. Moulton and published in Lincoln, Neb., by the University of Nebraska in the 19862000 time frame. This set, a first new and complete edition, included the atlas volume that presented numerous manuscript maps in facsimile that were produced during the legendary adventure. We were thrilled with the results of our first book sale of 2023. Mark Twain still remains supreme with us and our buyers as we continue to achieve record prices. This sale was also a good primer for what is to come later this year as we have a total of six book auctions to hit the block, stated Christopher Brink, Potter & Potter Auctions director of Fine Books and Manuscripts, following the sale. For more information, visit www.potterauctions.com.