A collection as varied and boundless as the man himself, the Ted Benttinen Library reflects a life driven by curiosity, intellect, and a thirst for adventure.

The Ted Benttinen Library of Exploration and Adventure

The Ted Benttinen Library’s frozen heart boasts an astonishing selection of material concerning Arctic and Antarctic exploration, a fine array relating to Scandinavian countries, especially those nestled within the Arctic circle, and informed volumes describing the ways of the Inuit.

Explore rare Arctic and Antarctic material

Polar Realms: the Ends of the Earth

An astonishing series of works charting the expeditions of Sir John Franklin and his subsequent disappearance

The mystery that captivated the Victorian age

The Search for Sir John Franklin

Cook’s three voyages charted, for the first time, New Zealand, Australia, the Hawaiian Islands, and vast swathes of the Pacific Ocean, as well as significantly advancing the accuracy of maritime navigation.

Captain James Cook

Darwin’s almost five-year-long voyage aboard the <i>Beagle</i> resulted in many revolutionary significant scientific observations and breakthroughs

Charles Darwin

Discover the journeys and expeditions that shaped North and South America.

Exploration of the Americas

New York

The Ted Bentinnen Library of Exploration and Adventure will be exhibited as part of&nbsp;<span class="Enhancement" data-inline>
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                <a class="Link" href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/series/luxury-sales?locale=en">The Luxury Sales</a>
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        </span>&nbsp;alongside&nbsp;<span class="Enhancement" data-inline>
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                <a class="Link" href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2024/fine-books-and-manuscripts?locale=en">Fine Books and Manuscripts</a>
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        </span>, which also features an impressive selection of travel material.<br><br>Sale Number: N11633

Senior Vice President | Global Head of Department | Books & Manuscripts

Richard Austin

Senior Vice President | International Senior Specialist | Books & Manuscripts

Selby Kiffer

AVP | Specialist | Books & Manuscripts

Ella Hall

VP | Head of Department | International Specialist | Books & Manuscripts

Dr. Kalika Sands

Cataloguer | Books & Manuscripts

Fenella Theis

Associate, Books & Manuscripts

Caroline Cook

Pre-Sale Coordinator | Books & Manuscripts

Caroline Woodward

Meet Our Team

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                <h3>Explore auction series</h3>

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<i>Sotheby’s is pleased to announce New York’s December sale, “Fine Books and Manuscripts.” The sale opens for bidding on Tuesday 26 November, with lots closing on Tuesday 10 December.</i>

Sotheby’s is pleased to present The Luxury Sales, a sale series spanning Hong Kong, Geneva, London, Paris and New York. The sale series juxtaposes modernity with tradition, showcasing the season’s best luxury items through a fresh lens.

For assistance with bidding and registration, please contact:<br><br>+1 212 606 7000<br><span class="Enhancement" data-inline>
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                <a class="Link" href="mailto:enquiries@sothebys.com" target="_blank"><b>ENQUIRIES@SOTHEBYS.COM</b></a>
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The Ted Benttinen Library of Exploration and Adventure will mark Sotheby’s most significant foray into travel and exploration books since our auction of the celebrated collection of Franklin Brooke-Hitching a decade ago.<br><br>Popularly thought of as a polar collection, the Benttinen Library is, in fact, much more expansive in subject matter, with significant holdings in early navigation; Pacific voyages, including a fine selection of Cook; South America, especially Patagonia; pirates and other adventurers; Charles Darwin and Darwiniana; Hudson’s Bay; Lapland (Sápmi); and the Northwest Passage, including a brilliant group of works relating to Sir John Franklin. Still, the poles—and Antarctica in particular—anchor the library with a number of enviable shelves relating to Scott, Amundsen, Shackleton, Nansen, and the other great explorers. Ranging from incunabula to twenty-first-century scientific journals and offprints, the Ted Benttinen Library reflects both the collector’s scholarship and his connoisseurship.