Classic Works of Literature, Science Fiction and Cultural History Lead Heritage’s Dec. 15 Rare Books Auction

Two remarkable private collections anchor an auction rich in literary first editions, rare manuscripts and historic artifacts, offered alongside extraordinary standalone highlights ranging from a Nobel Prize to runs of Kafka first editions DOWNLOAD DIGITAL PRESS KIT DALLAS, Texas (Dec. 5, 2025) — Heritage Auctions will present a Rare Books Signature® Auction on Dec. 15 featuring two significant private libraries whose depth, condition and scholarly importance anchor one of the most diverse and compelling offerings in recent Heritage history. From a pristine first edition of Dracula to an extraordinary assembly of H. G. Wells material and rare manuscripts from literary icons, the auction reflects the passion and discernment of collectors who spent decades in pursuit of excellence. “This auction brings together two private libraries that perfectly reflect the richness of modern book collecting,” says Francis Wahlgren, International Director of Rare Books & Manuscripts at Heritage Auctions. “Each collection was built with intelligence, taste and a commitment to condition, and each offers once-in-a-generation opportunities for collectors of literature, history and fine books.” The Library of a Minnesota Collector: Literature in Superb Condition Formed over a span of thirty-five years, the Library of a Minnesota Collector is a testament to both connoisseurship and devotion to the physical object itself. Focused on English and American literature, with particular strength in 19th-century novels, horror and fantasy and major works of poetry, the collection is distinguished not only by breadth but by its unwavering emphasis on condition. The sale’s centerpiece offerings include a remarkably preserved first edition of Bram Stoker’s Dracula,a keystone work of Gothic fiction in rare first-issue form. Its freshness and integrity stand out even among the finest surviving copies. Equally compelling is an exquisite first-edition set of J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, one of the finest unrestored examples Heritage has presented. Long regarded as the defining epic of 20th-century fantasy literature, Tolkien’s trilogy appears here in the condition that serious collectors covet but seldom encounter. The collection’s Tolkien material also includes a profoundly rare and revealing artifact: an autograph manuscript note written by Tolkien, providing late-stage corrections for The Return of the King. Written entirely in his hand, this working note sheds light on Tolkien’s meticulous process during the creation of what would become the most influential fantasy novel of the century. From the early canon of English poetry, the collection offers a superb copy of John Donne’s Poems (1633), the first edition of the metaphysical poet’s work and the largest-paper copy recorded at auction. Its combination of scarcity, significance and condition makes it one of the crown jewels of the sale. Rounding out the major highlights is a remarkably rare first edition of George Eliot’s Middlemarch in the original eight parts, collating complete. Long considered one of the greatest English novels, Middlemarch is seldom seen in this fragile serial format, making this example a true prize for collectors of 19th-century literature. The Victor Gulotta Collection of H. G. Wells: A Lifelong Influence, A Singular Library The second major offering of the auction is the Victor Gulotta Collection of H. G. Wells, a deeply personal and meticulously assembled library reflecting a collector’s lifelong admiration for one of the giants of modern literature. Gulotta first encountered Wells at the age of eleven, devouring The Time Machine, The War of the Worlds, The Invisible Man and the other early novels that would define the birth of science fiction. Decades later, after a career spent collecting antiquities, manuscripts and literary first editions, he returned to the writer who had first ignited his imagination and built a comprehensive Wells collection that spans fiction, nonfiction, manuscript material and association copies of exceptional interest. Among the standout offerings is a magnificent first edition of The Time Machine inscribed by Ray Bradbury, whose note reads: “H. G. Wells was my love!” This inscription draws a direct line between the founding voice of science fiction and one of its greatest 20th-century masters, making the volume both a literary artifact and a symbol of artistic lineage. Equally significant is an exceptionally early autograph letter signed by Wells in 1889, written four years before the publication of his first book. Addressed to a former classmate, the letter reveals Wells in his formative years: Young, ambitious and already deeply engaged with the intellectual concerns that would shape his work. The collection also includes a three-page autograph letter to Henry Davray, Wells’ chief translator and a major figure in the dissemination of his work to French audiences. In it, Wells references The First Men in the Moon and When the Sleeper Wakes, providing insight into his thinking at a pivotal moment in his career. A particularly noteworthy association copy is the first edition of The Autocracy of Mr. Parham, inscribed to Rebecca West, Wells’s literary collaborator and the woman with whom he had a long romantic relationship. The volume is not only a rare presentation copy but a tangible artifact of one of the most famous intellectual partnerships of the 20th century. Together, these items reveal the full dimensionality of Wells: novelist, futurist, social critic and enduring cultural voice. As Gulotta notes, “Wells captured my imagination in a way that would never leave me.” His collection reflects that devotion. Other Highlights of the December 15 Auction Beyond the two featured collections, the auction encompasses a remarkable range of literary, historical and cultural treasures. One of the most significant is the 1966 Nobel Prize in Chemistry awarded to Robert S. Mulliken for his groundbreaking work in molecular orbital theory. Nobel medals seldom appear at auction, and Mulliken’s is an exceptional example tied to a scientist of immense influence. Also featured is a rare manuscript leaf from an early draft of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, taken from the first chapter of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s epoch-defining novel. Such early working material is exceedingly scarce and offers direct insight into one of the most consequential books in American history. Collectors of adventure fiction will be drawn to a superb copy of Tarzan of the Apes in the rare original dust jacket, preserved from the library of B. J. Lukes, the celebrated Edgar Rice Burroughs collector and bibliographer. Few jackets have survived, and this example ranks among the finest. The sale also includes a delightful copy of How to Mix Drinks by the “father of American mixology,” a spirited highlight that bridges culinary history and book collecting culture. Fine bindings enthusiasts will appreciate a striking example by Paul Bonet, the legendary 20th-century French designer known for his innovative geometry and avant-garde compositions. Film and horror collectors will take note of a remarkable copy of Bride of Frankenstein signed by both Elsa Lanchester—the iconic Bride herself—and Forrest Ackerman, literary agent, collector and science fiction pioneer. And the auction also offers a strong run of Kafka first editions and first translated editions, representing the early appearance of works that would shape literary modernism. “There is something wonderfully human about the way these collections were formed,” says Wahlgren. “A lifelong love of Wells, a decades-long pursuit of condition and completeness—these are the motivations that drive meaningful collecting. The December 15 auction brings together not just great books, but great stories.” The Rare Books Signature® Auction will take place Dec. 15 at Heritage Auctions in Dallas and online here. For more information or to request a condition report, contact the Rare Books department at Bid@HA.com. Heritage Auctions is the largest fine art and collectibles auction house founded in the United States, and the world's largest collectibles auctioneer. Heritage maintains offices in New York, Dallas, Beverly Hills, Chicago, Palm Beach, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Hong Kong and Tokyo. Heritage also enjoys the highest Online traffic and dollar volume of any auction house on earth (source: SimilarWeb and Hiscox Report). The Internet's most popular auction-house website, HA.com, has more than 2 million registered bidder-members and searchable free archives of 7,000,000 past auction records with prices realized, descriptions and enlargeable photos. Reproduction rights routinely granted to media for photo credit. For breaking stories, follow us: HA.com/Facebook and HA.com/Twitter . Link to this release or view prior press releases . Hi-Res images available: Christina Rees, Director of Public Relations and Communications 214-409-1341; CRees@HA.com