An unprecedented auction sale of six rare first edition books by world-renowned P.E.I. author Lucy Maud Montgomery, including a coveted early edition of Anne of Green Gables, takes place today at Sotheby's in New York.
A first edition of Anne of Green Gables sold for a record US$37,500 at auction late last fall. The sale eclipsed the previous record of US$24,000 for the same title, which took place in June 2005.
It s anticipated that today's sale price for Anne could match that record.
Five other early works by Montgomery will also be auctioned Friday. They include an original 1909 edition of Anne of Avonlea, in its original dust jacket, expected to sell for $1,000 to $1,500.
A 1915 edition of Anne of The Island, in its original dust jacket, is expected to sell for $4,000-$6,000.
A copy of The Watchman and Other Poems, a 1916 edition of Montgomery's rare poems collection, is also expected to attract between $4,000-$6,000.
Further Chronicles of Avonlea, printed in 1920, also in its original dust jacket, could attract bids of $2,500-$3,500.
The final book on sale Friday is a 1923 edition of Emily of
New Moon, in its original dust jacket, expected to attract $3,500-$4,000.
Sotheby's says less than 10 first edition copies of Anne of Green Gables have appeared at auction over the last 35 years.
Last fall, it was estimated the Anne book would sell for US$20,000 to US$25,000.
The final price of US$37,500 includes a buyers' premium.
Anne tells the story of a flame-haired orphan girl from Prince Edward Island who is mistakenly sent to live with a couple who requested a boy.
The first edition, printed in 1908 in Boston, has a pale green cloth cover with gold print and a side profile of Anne.
Six rare first edition books by L.M. Montgomery on auction block in New York today
- Published on June 18, 2010
- Published on July 8, 2010
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Staff ~ The Guardian
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Comments
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- Joan C.
- - November 17, 2010 at 09:04:30
The Anne of Green Gables is a beautiful copy on the Sothebys.com website being sold Dec. 10. The dustjacket is very early and no doubt scarce.They say it is a fine copy in jacket. I wonder if it will sell for more than $30,000 USD? The Anne of Avonlea which they are also selling in the dustjacket is also very rare at $15,000 USD. I loved the Kevin Sullivan movies of both books from 1985 and 1987. Truly beautiful and world renowned books and movies. Cheers!
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- Margaret Q.
- - November 15, 2010 at 08:57:03
Sotheby's in New York has 3 more rare L.M Montgomery books being auctioned this Dec.10th. I saw on their website they have a scarce Anne of Green Gables in the dustjacket! Also, a rare Anne of Avonlea from 1909 in the dustjacket and a 1917 Anne's House of Dreams. I wonder if anyone from the island will be bidding on them. The 3 books are lovely.
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- Just wonderin'
- - July 8, 2010 at 19:27:32
I wonder how many PEI bookcases, basement and attic storage areas are going to be pawed over in the next few days?
Remember, your family heirlooms aren't necessarily the ones they pay the big bucks for.
Good luck. -
- Just wonderin'
- - July 8, 2010 at 15:52:47
I wonder how many PEI bookcases, basement and attic storage areas are going to be pawed over in the next few days?
Remember, your family heirlooms aren't necessarily the ones they pay the big bucks for.
Good luck. -
- Just wonderin'
- - July 8, 2010 at 15:51:04
I wonder how many PEI bookcases, basement and attic storage areas are going to be pawed over in the next few days?
Remember, your family heirlooms aren't necessarily the ones they pay the big bucks for.
Good luck. -
- Just wonderin'
- - July 8, 2010 at 15:48:31
I wonder how many PEI bookcases, basement and attic storage areas are going to be pawed over in the next few days?
Remember, your family heirlooms aren't necessarily the ones they pay the big bucks for.
Good luck. -
- Just wonderin'
- - July 8, 2010 at 15:46:32
I wonder how many PEI bookcases, basement and attic storage areas are going to be pawed over in the next few days?
Remember, your family heirlooms aren't necessarily the ones they pay the big bucks for.
Good luck. -
- Just wonderin'
- - July 8, 2010 at 15:45:09
I wonder how many PEI bookcases, basement and attic storage areas are going to be pawed over in the next few days?
Remember, your family heirlooms aren't necessarily the ones they pay the big bucks for.
Good luck.
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Sotheby's in New York sold the last copy of Anne of Green Gables which sold for $37,500 USD. This copy they are selling Dec. 10th is in the rare dustjacket and staes it is in fine condition. Has to be one of the earliest dustjackets known to exist from1909.