Adam Stackhouse

Adam Stackhouse is a 30-year auction veteran known for his enthusiasm and deep understanding of the material he handles. He previously worked as Bonhams’ specialist in charge of the History of Science & Technology and the Space History auctions from 2016 through 2024; and as Senior Specialist in the Fine Books & Manuscripts department.

Notable successes include:

- Two Sputnik-1 lab test models ($847,500 & $400,075.
- An Albert Einstein-owned violin ($516,500)
- NASA-verified fragments of the Apollo 11 lunar contingency sample ($504,375).
- Neil Peart’s drum kit used with Rush from 1974-1977 ($500,312).
- Multiple Apple-1 computers, the highest reaching $571,500.
- A 1983 Apple “Twiggy” Macintosh prototype ($150,075).
- Steve Wozniak/Steve Jobs “blue box,” ($125,000).
- A group of four Kurt Gödel presentation offprints ($125,075).
- Glenn Gould’s annotated copy of Bach’s Goldberg Variations ($125,000) used in preparation of his 1981 recording.
Stackhouse has also handled important collections such as:
- The Papers of Donald Albert Hall, Chief Engineer of the Spirit of St. Louis.
- The Library of Roman Vishniac.
- The John D. Zumbrun Collection of Chinese Photographs.
- The M.B. Goldstone collection
- The Barbara J. Land collection.

Stackhouse, born and raised in Pennsylvania, is a graduate of the University of Southern California in Creative Writing and has completed coursework at the California Rare Book School. He has often appeared in the international press for his expert knowledge of technological and space collectibles and has appeared as an appraiser on PBS' Antiques Roadshow®. He is based in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Please contact Adam Stackhouse (adam.stackhouse@sothebys.com) for any inquiries regarding history of science and technological material as well as items pertaining to space exploration.