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Rare Literary Treasures Hit the Block in Upcoming Book Auctions
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As the holiday season winds down, several auction houses are turning their attention to the world of books, offering collectors a chance to acquire rare literary gems. The earliest deadline comes from Auctioneum Ltd, which is wrapping up a Tolkien-themed book auction on December 30, 2025. Bidding on that sale includes first editions, signed copies, and limited‑edition prints that celebrate the enduring popularity of Middle‑Earth. Shortly after, Richard Winterton Auctioneers will open its Late Michael Baggott Book Collection Sale, scheduled for 2026. This online‑only event promises a curated selection of Baggott’s personal library, featuring out‑of‑print titles, annotated manuscripts, and a handful of historically significant volumes.

While these headline events dominate the calendar, they sit within a broader pattern of auction houses expanding their book offerings. East Wing Estate Sales, Deseret Book, Bachmann Auctioneers LLC, and Cavendish Philatelic Auctions Ltd all list books among their regular specialties, signaling a steady demand for printed media across both niche and mainstream markets. Many of these firms blend books with related media—movies, music, and collectibles—creating mixed‑category lots that appeal to a wider audience of cultural enthusiasts.

The trend toward themed collections, such as the Tolkien focus, reflects a growing appetite for narrative‑driven auctions that tell a story beyond the individual item. Meanwhile, estate sales like the Baggott collection highlight the value placed on personal libraries as cultural artifacts, offering scholars and collectors insight into the reading habits of notable figures. Both formats leverage online bidding platforms, making participation accessible to a global pool of buyers.

Overall, the current wave of book auctions underscores a resurgence in the market for physical literature, driven by nostalgia, investment potential, and the allure of owning a piece of literary history.

Based on 94 digest summaries · Generated December 26, 2025

Woodards

December 27, 2025 —

Woodards is hosting an auction for the property at 23A Linton Avenue, Templestowe Lower, featuring 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and 2 car spaces. Another auction is scheduled for 2/28 Cootamundra Crescent, Blackburn, offering 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and 2 car spaces. Additionally, 10 Wilson Street, Murrumbeena, with 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and 2 car spaces, is up for auction. The property at 20 Daly Street, Oakleigh East, with 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and 2 car spaces, will also be auctioned. Lastly, 5 Mill Avenue, Yarraville, featuring 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 2 car spaces, is set for auction.

National Auction

December 26, 2025 —

National Auction regularly hosts live and online auctions specializing in livestock & agriculture, art & collectibles. Visit their website for upcoming catalogs and dates.

Diamond Comic Distributors

December 26, 2025 —

Diamond Comic Distributors regularly hosts live and online auctions specializing in art & collectibles, electronics & gadgets. Visit their website for upcoming catalogs and dates.

Auctioneers of Bristol & Bath

December 27, 2025 —

Auctioneers of Bristol & Bath are hosting several upcoming auctions. Furniture & Decorative Interiors - Bristol - Timed ends on December 28, 2025. 20th Century & Contemporary Art Sale - Bath - Timed ends on December 29, 2025. Christmas Collectables - Timed - Bristol ends on December 29, 2025. Mid Century & Interior Design Sale - Bath - Live Auction takes place on December 30, 2025. Tolkien - An Auction of Books Inc. Firsts & Rare Editions - Timed - Bath ends on December 30, 2025. Cornish & Scottish Art: A Private Collection - Bath - Timed ends on December 30, 2025. Furniture & Decorative Interiors - Bristol - Live takes place on January 5, 2026. Autographs - The John Short Collection (Part One) - Timed Auction - Bristol ends on January 5, 2026. Antique & Contemporary Jewellery, Gold, Silver & Watches - Live - Bristol takes place on January 6, 2026. Antiques & Collectables - Live - Bristol takes place on January 7, 2026.

Midway Auction House

December 27, 2025 —

Midway Auction House will be holding an auction on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 5:00 PM. This onsite, indoor event will feature items from multiple estates and consigners, including Gold & Silver Coins, Jewelry, Watches, Antiques, Signed Duck Decoys, Designer Purses, Electronics, Musical Instruments, Matchbox Cars, Hot Wheels, Fenton, Murano, Tools, Collectibles, General Household items, Vintage Toys, Records, Sports Memorabilia, Trading Cards, Comic Books, Fishing and Hunting gear, Bikes, Household Items, Coolers, Knives, Swords, Furniture, Glass, Pictures, and more. Preview days are scheduled for Saturday, January 3, 2026, and Tuesday, January 6, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Refreshments will be available for purchase during the auction.

East Bristol Auctions

December 26, 2025 —

Furniture & Decorative Interiors - Bristol - Timed auction ends December 28, 2025, at 20:00. 20th Century & Contemporary Art Sale - Bath - Timed auction ends December 29, 2025, at 20:00. Christmas Collectables - Timed auction in Bristol ends December 29, 2025, at 20:00. Mid Century & Interior Design Sale - Bath - Live auction on December 30, 2025, at 10:00. Tolkien - An Auction of Books Inc. Firsts & Rare Editions - Timed auction in Bath ends December 30, 2025, at 20:00. Cornish & Scottish Art: A Private Collection - Bath - Timed auction ends December 30, 2025, at 20:00. Furniture & Decorative Interiors - Bristol - Live auction on January 5, 2026, at 10:00. Autographs - The John Short Collection (Part One) - Timed auction in Bristol ends January 5, 2026, at 20:00. Antique & Contemporary Jewellery, Gold, Silver & Watches - Live auction in Bristol on January 6, 2026, at 10:00. Antiques & Collectables - Live auction in Bristol on January 7, 2026, at 10:00.

Auctioneum Ltd

December 26, 2025 —

Furniture & Decorative Interiors auction in Bristol is a timed event ending on December 28, 2025, at 20:00. The 20th Century & Contemporary Art Sale in Bath is a timed auction ending on December 29, 2025, at 20:00. A Christmas Collectables auction in Bristol is a timed event ending on December 29, 2025, at 20:00. The Mid Century & Interior Design Sale in Bath is a live auction on December 30, 2025, at 10:00. A Tolkien-themed auction of books, including firsts and rare editions, is a timed event in Bath ending on December 30, 2025, at 20:00. Cornish & Scottish Art: A Private Collection auction in Bath is a timed event ending on December 30, 2025, at 20:00. A live auction for Furniture & Decorative Interiors will be held in Bristol on January 5, 2026, at 10:00. The John Short Collection Part One, featuring autographs, is a timed auction in Bristol ending on January 5, 2026, at 20:00. An Antique & Contemporary Jewellery, Gold, Silver & Watches auction will be live in Bristol on January 6, 2026, at 10:00. An Antiques & Collectables live auction will take place in Bristol on January 7, 2026, at 10:00.

Boston Harbor Auctions

December 26, 2025 —

Boston Harbor Auctions regularly hosts live and online auctions specializing in art & collectibles, tools & workshop. Visit their website for upcoming catalogs and dates.

Saturday Auction

December 26, 2025 —

Saturday Auction will hold its next Monthly Live Auction on December 27, 2025, featuring in-person, online, and phone bidding. Additionally, a Mid-Month Showroom Auction is scheduled for January 7, 2026, exclusively in-house.

Klaassen Realty & Auctions

December 26, 2025 —

Klaassen Realty & Auctions is hosting an online-only auction featuring knives and guns in Sibley, Iowa, closing on January 5, 2026, with checkout on January 10, 2026. Another auction titled Antique, Collectible & Household in Hartley, Iowa, will close on January 7, 2026, with checkout on January 10, 2026.

Cars & Trucks For Sale Near You in Canada

December 27, 2025 —

Cars & Trucks For Sale Near You in Canada regularly hosts live and online auctions specializing in vehicles & transportation, electronics & gadgets. Visit their website for upcoming catalogs and dates.

Gov Auctions

December 27, 2025 —

Gov Auctions regularly hosts live and online auctions specializing in vehicles & transportation, sports & outdoors. Visit their website for upcoming catalogs and dates.

Pristine Auction

December 26, 2025 —

The Ten Minute Auction will feature 10 lots with no reserves and no extended bidding starting in 3 hours. The Daily Auction includes items such as a Usain Bolt signed track shirt, a Giannis Antetokounmpo signed basketball shoe, and a Lionel Messi signed jersey, all ending in 12 hours and 30 minutes. The Helmet Auction will conclude in 1 day and 12 hours and 30 minutes, while the Authentigraphs Auction ends in the same timeframe. The Elite Auction and Card Auction will both end in 2 days and 12 hours and 30 minutes. The Coin Auction and Sports Gear Auction will end in 3 days and 12 hours and 30 minutes. The Jersey Auction will conclude in 4 days and 12 hours and 30 minutes. The Classic Auction will end in 5 days and 12 hours and 30 minutes. The Fine Art Auction and New Year Auction will both conclude in 6 days and 12 hours and 30 minutes.

A New Day Auctions

December 27, 2025 —

A New Day Auctions is hosting an auction on January 8, 2026, at 5pm CST featuring a lifetime collection of prehistoric, Pre-Columbian, African, Mayan, Mexican, American Indian, and other tribal artifacts, including pottery, baskets, weapons, stone tools, masks, jewelry, and more. The auction also includes Western and firearm magazines, books, a Winchester bronze cowboy statue, fossils, an antique clock collection, framed artwork, antique gate latches, oil lamps, glassware, and various other antiques.

Boekhandel De Vries Van Stockum

December 26, 2025 —

Boekhandel De Vries Van Stockum regularly hosts live and online auctions specializing in art & collectibles, baby & kids. Visit their website for upcoming catalogs and dates.

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