DEERFIELD — Auctioners traveled from near and far Tuesday for a chance to bid on a few particularly rare books, at the New England Auction House on Routes 5 and 10.
A first edition of John James Audubon’s “The Birds of America” sold to someone in the audience for $34,000 — about what the auction house expected.
“There were serious bidders on that,” said Cynthia Holmes, a staff member at the business. “The bidding was very lively.”
Bidding was conducted over the phone, through advance bids placed before the auctioning began, and by bidders in the audience.
Other significant items auctioned off Tuesday include a first edition “King James Bible,” won by an advance bid of $17,000. The Bible was expected to sell anywhere between $15,000 and $25,000.
“Now We Are Six,” an original Winnie the Pooh book, signed by A.A. Milne and illustrator E.H. Shepard sold for $9,500 to someone in the audience.
“It was the greatest thing, totally cool,” Office Manager Walter Turati said about the book.
At the end of the day, about 230 lots were sold by the auction house for a total of more than $100,000.
Audubon’s book was the most expensive item sold.
You can reach Andy Castillo at:
acastillo@recorder.com
or 413-772-0261, ext. 263
On Twitter: @AndyCCastillo