Final Antiquariaat Junk Stock Sold at Auction for £1m+

Forum Auctions’ Natural History: the remaining stock of Antiquariaat Junk, 1899–2026 has achieved a total of over £1m and formed the conclusion to one of the rare book trade’s most respected names.

The sale marked the final chapter of Antiquariaat Junk, the well known specialist natural history bookshop based in Amsterdam and led by Allard Schierenberg for more than six decades. Lots included botany, ornithology and zoology, and beautifully illustrated scientific books.

Highlights included:

• James Bateman's The Orchidaceae of Mexico and Guatemala (1837–43), a rare first edition, one of just 125 copies, celebrated for its hand-coloured orchid plates (sold for £40,000)
• Johann Leonard Frisch's Vorstellung der Vögel Deutschlands (1736–63), an important early German ornithological work, famous for its finely detailed engravings (£80,000)
• John Gould's The Birds of Great Britain (1862–73) which went for £42,000
• Pierre-Joseph Redouté and Étienne-Pierre Ventenat's Jardin de la Malmaison (1803–05), a botanical publication documenting the gardens of Empress Joséphine (£60,000)

“This was a fitting finale for Allard Schierenberg, one of the stalwarts of the rare book trade, who has run the renowned specialist natural history bookshop Antiquariaat Junk for the past 60 years," said Rupert Powell, Deputy Chairman and International Head of Books at Forum Auctions. "We are delighted that the market for these beautiful books was so buoyant, bidding was strong from far and wide, and the result was such a confidence-boost in these troubled times. What a great start to our 10th anniversary year.”