$11+ million for Audubon's "Birds of America"

John James Audubon’s Birds of America, sold at Sotheby’s London on Tuesday evening for £7,321,250/ US$11,542,683, establishing a new world record for any printed book ever sold at auction. A fiery enthusiasm among four collectors bidding on the phones and in the room drove the price rapidly beyond pre-sale expectations (£4-6 million/ US$6.3-9.5 million). The book was bought by London dealer Michael Tollemache, who was bidding in the room and who described the work after the sale as “priceless.” Read more at Spear's online.