The upcoming auction of The Library of Dr. Rodney P. Swantko, set for 26 June at Sotheby's New York, unveils the personal collection of a devoted bibliophile surgeon. Carefully assembled and brimming with literary treasures, this collection offers a glimpse into the world of classic 19th and 20th-century literature. While some were aware of certain volumes in his possession, the full extent of his collection remained a mystery until now.
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One of the most prized pieces is the autographed manuscript of The Sign of the Four, the second novel featuring Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle . This manuscript is expected to fetch a staggering sum at auction, with estimates ranging from $800,000 to $1.2 million. Considered "the most significant Doyle manuscript ever to be auctioned", this text is a rare gem, enriched by corrections and annotations by the author himself, offering insight into the creative process behind one of literature's most cherished sagas. If the estimates are met, it would greatly surpass the previous record set in 2021, when a manuscript folio of The Hound of the Baskervilles (1902) fetched $423,000 at Heritage Auctions.
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In addition to Conan Doyle's masterpiece, the Swantko collection boasts a plethora of other literary treasures, each with its own captivating narrative. Notably, a first edition of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald stands out, bearing the author's signature alongside a warm dedication to his sister-in-law and her husband. It is anticipated that this icon of 20th-century American literature could fetch between $180,000 and $250,000.
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But the richness of the Swantko collection does not end here. From the obscure verses of Edgar Allan Poe found in the anthology Tamerlane and Other Poems (estimated at $400,000 to $600,000) to enduring classics like A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, every book within the collection narrates a tale, and every page conceals a secret sure to enthrall collectors.
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The Swantko collection also includes cherished masterpieces that sparked our childhood imagination. Among these treasures is a scarce first edition of The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, with a heartfelt dedication to a close friend of the author, expected to fetch between $120,000 and $180,000.
The auction will take place as part of Sotheby's Book Week between 11 and 26 June. The sale of the Swantko collection is an unmissable event for book lovers and collectors.
