What distinguishes Bibliotheca Brookeriana is the unwavering scholarly passion of T. Kimball Brooker, who endeavored to diligently seek out the finest and most impeccably preserved book bindings, works featuring emblems and inscriptions from early owners, as well as works with impressive provenance that add layers of historical significance. Encompassing books throughout the ages, Bibliotheca Brookeriana is a truly exceptional collection showcasing the convergence of art, architecture, and knowledge in the Renaissance era.

A true scholar-collector and careful curator, T. Kimball Brooker has been devoted to bibliophilic activity, researching, exhibiting, and collecting early printed books for more than six decades.

T. Kimball Brooker

"The Fugger family, established from 1367 in the imperial city of Augsburg, one of the most dynamic textile cities in southern Germany, became a powerful dynasty of merchants and bankers. Thanks to their cloth factories, their control of the silver and copper mining in Central Europe (Hungary and Tyrol), and the building of a network in major European cities, they became bankers and major creditors to the Habsburg emperors Maximilian I and Charles V, and reached the absolute pinnacle of the world of trade and finance. Following the old rule that the first generation creates a business, the second develops it, and the third brings it to ruin, the Fugger heirs depleted their incredible fortune in the best possible way: collecting books." —Isabelle de Conihout

The Fugger family, a German Renaissance dynasty of merchants and bankers, spent their fortune building a distinguished library. Five of their impressive bindings are featured in this collection.

Fugger Bindings

"The magnificent Renaissance bindings with the gilt ex-libris ‘Thomae Maioli et amicorum,’ associated in various combinations with a complex monogram or a simple one (TDM), and with two rather pessimistic mottoes, have long been sought after by bibliophiles. These bindings were made for collector Thomas Mahieu, first ‘secretaire des finances’ to Queen Catherine de’ Medici from 1549 to 1560. Mahieu also served as ‘Tresorier de France et general de ses finances en la généralité de Languedoïl,’ residing in Orleans… Not a whole lot is known about the impressive collector, all traces we have left of him are his books—three of which are offered here. The Mahieu bindings offered in Bibliotheca Brookeriana are led by his copy of Paolo Giovio’s&nbsp;Pauli Iovii Novocomensis Vitae duodecim vicecomitum Mediolani principum." —Isabelle de Conihout

Bibliotheca Brookeriana includes three magnificent Renaissance bindings created for the enigmatic 16th century collector, and secretary to Queen Catherine de’ Medici, Thomas Mahieu.

Mahieu Bindings

New York

Sotheby’s is proud to present the inaugural auction of the impressive Bibliotheca Brookeriana sale series, “Bibliotheca Brookeriana: A Renaissance Library. Magnificent Books and Bindings.” The sale will be open for online and absentee bidding on September 20th and will culminate in a live auction on the evening of 11 October.&nbsp;Featuring 90 works of representative highlights across the collection, this sale is led by Sebastiano Serlio’s&nbsp;Terzo libro&nbsp;and&nbsp;Regole generali di architecttura. It is probably safe to say that a library with the theme and concentration of T. Kimball Brooker’s has never before been assembled outside of Europe. Sale Number: N11245

Global Head of Department, Books & Manuscripts

Richard Austin

Head of Books & Manuscripts, Europe

Dr. David Goldthorpe

Senior Vice President, International Senior Specialist

Selby Kiffer

Deputy Director, Specialist

Charlotte Miller 

Director, Specialist, Books & Manuscripts

Benoit Puttemans

AVP, Specialist, Books & Manuscripts

Ella Hall

AVP, International Specialist, Head of Sale

Dr. Kalika Sands

Associate

Bridget Quinn

Pre-Sale Coordinator, Books & Manuscripts

Caroline Woodward

Meet Our Team

October 2023–2025 | New York &amp; London

Live Auction: 12 October 2023 | 10:00 EDT | New York

For assistance with bidding and registration, please contact: +1 212 606 7000 
 
 <a class="Link" href="mailto:enquiries@sothebys.com" target="_blank">ENQUIRIES@SOTHEBYS.COM</a>

Stay informed with Sotheby’s top stories, videos, events &amp; news.

Sotheby’s is proud to present the inaugural auction of the impressive Bibliotheca Brookeriana sale series, “Bibliotheca Brookeriana: A Renaissance Library. Magnificent Books and Bindings.” The sale will be open for online and absentee bidding on September 20th and will culminate in a live auction on the evening of 11 October. Featuring 90 works of representative highlights across the collection, this sale is led by Sebastiano Serlio’s Terzo libro and Regole generali di architecttura. It is probably safe to say that a library with the theme and concentration of T. Kimball Brooker’s has never before been assembled outside of Europe.