The auction of The Library of Dr. Rodney P. Swantko, scheduled for June 26 at Sotheby's New York, reveals the private collection of a passionate bibliophile surgeon, meticulously curated and full of literary rarities. Many knew of the existence of some of his books, but no one really knew all of them. This exceptional collection is now ready to be published to the world in its entirety and offers a fascinating journey into the world of classics of 19th and 20th century literature.
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Among the most valuable pieces is the autographed manuscript of The Sign of the Four, the second novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle starring the detective Sherlock Holmes. The work promises to reach an astronomical sum at auction, with estimates ranging between $800,000-1.2 million. Defined as "the most significant Doyle manuscript ever to go to auction", the text represents a unique document, enriched by corrections and annotations by the author himself, which shed light on the creative process of one of the most beloved sagas in literature. If the estimates are met, it would far surpass the record set when a manuscript folio of The Hound of the Baskervilles (1902) sold for $423,000 at Heritage Auctions in 2021.
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Alongside Conan Doyle's masterpiece, the Swantko collection is home to a host of other literary gems, each with its own fascinating story. Among these, a first edition of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald stands out, signed by the author with an affectionate dedication to his sister-in-law and her husband. Estimates suggest 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 (estimate: $400,000-600,000) - to timeless classics such as A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, each book tells a story and each page holds a secret that promises to capture the attention of collectors.
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There is also plenty of space for imagination with the masterpieces that made us dream as children. Among the other valuable pieces on offer is a rare first edition of The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, enriched by a poetic dedication to a dear friend of the author, estimated between $120,000 and $180,000.
The auction will take place as part of Sotheby's Book Week between June 11 and 26. The sale of the Swantko collection is an unmissable event for book lovers and collectors, guided by the pages of literary masterpieces that have shaped the history of humanity and left an extraordinary legacy.
