LONDON.- Christie's Valuable Books and Manuscripts Including Cartography sale, held at King Street on 8 July 2026, realised a total of £12,707,879 making it the most valuable various-owner Books and Manuscripts sale ever held in London. The sale also concluded Christie's London Classic Week season, which commenced on Tuesday 30th June.

Comprising 172 lots, the sale was led by The Clermont-Tonnerre Grail, an exceptional late 13th-century illuminated manuscript of one of the greatest medieval romances: the epic tale of the quest for the Holy Grail, the story of Merlin and his diabolic birth, and the adventures of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Following spirited bidding in the saleroom, on the telephones and online, the manuscript realised £2,246,000.





Eugenio Donadoni, International Specialist, Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts, Christie's remarks: “What an impressive result for a truly remarkable sale. It has been a privilege to present The Clermont-Tonnerre Grail, a manuscript of extraordinary beauty and significance, and to share it with visitors at Christie's King Street ahead of the auction. Its magnificent illumination and captivating Arthurian narrative captured the imagination of bidders worldwide. Eugenio adds about the wider auction, “It reflects the enduring appeal of works that preserve the ideas, stories and achievements of past generations - from medieval illuminated manuscripts and historic maps to important printed books and autograph letters by some of history's most influential figures. The strong international bidding demonstrates the continued fascination for these extraordinary objects, all of which resulted in the most valuable various owner books and manuscripts sale in London.”