Books and Manuscripts

Il Ponte Auction House has always kept its attention towards the collecting of manuscripts and rare books high so much so to inaugurate in 2017 a dedicated department which, in the span of a few years, has caught an ever cultured and curious collecting. The auction house has decided to maintain a broad vision of the market for this sector too, with eclectic awards in which there can be found manuscripts, inculabulum, first editions, autographs, atlas and maps, but also 19th century artist's books, ancient classic texts and historical curiosities. Successful the strategy of favouring quality and rarity of the goods proposed at auction, to attract a productive participation on behalf of important private collectors and foreign audiences.

Among the most active in the field in Italy and in continuous growth, the Books and Manuscripts Department has collected countless accomplishments, reaching only in 2020 a turnover of over 1 billion euros with peaks of 93% of sold lots and 180% of increase on the base prices.

Unforgettable the record award of the Biblia Sacra vulgatae editionis by Salvador Dalì sold for € 87,000, and the important sales of the atlas by Abraham Ortelius Theatrum orbis terrarum, awarded respectively at € 30,000 and € 20,000, and the Atlante Veneto by Vincenzo Coronelli (€ 23,750). Great appreciation also for the sights of Venice made by Canaletto and Carlevariis (€ 18,750 each) and the artist's books with the so-called "Bullonato" by Fortunato Depero (€ 18,125).