We recently purchased a 5000+ item book collection of Richard M Lackritz, M.D., Famous Detective Murder Mystery and Sherlockian collector from the San Antonio Texas area.  4000+ Books and 1000+ magazines, pamphlets, book cover art, Strand Magazines, publications, and numerous one-of-a-kind items were included.  There are also photos, signed correspondences from authors, illustrators, publishers and fellow collectors, all types of signed event programs and miscellaneous other documents included. The family donated this collection from the doctor’s estate in 2020. We were told his family donated the collection to the San Antonio Independent School District annual book sale. Due to pandemic restrictions, the book drive was postponed for 2 years. Because of continual school restrictions, the books donated were sold in one lot to a local person, as the district needed the storage space and to reduce storage costs until the next year when hopefully restrictions would again allow them to have their annual book sale. We were able to purchase the entire donation/collection from this single buyer in February 2022. So far, from the boxes we have reviewed, these books range in value from $20 - $7500, with our limited research. There are around 150 boxes of items total.  There appears to be a lot of treasures in this collection. It is for us, a once in a lifetime find. There are numerous 1980 - 2005 limited editions with slipcases and signed Copy #1 or Letter “A” presentation books sealed in original shrinkwrap from publishers. Dr. Lackritz had the connections and got the best of the best. There is also about 200 books from the Vincent Starrett personal library with his bookplate(s) and signature. There are numerous other books with other popular Sherlockian/Detective/Crime/Mystery collectors’ bookplates and signatures.  There are books by Authors like Doyle, Christie, Twain, Poe, Bradbury, Ismacc, Meade, Ellery Queen, Hammett, Dickens, Hume, Collier, Freeman and others. There are also some rare True 1st editions, signed obscure and other unique books, publications and ephemera. 

Three auctions were held in 2002-2003 by Christie’s.  Catalogs and dates from these auctions are included in this listing for your review. Prices realized in these three auctions was around $1.8 Million dollars. We assume the books left were personal items saved and duplicates of some books auctioned.  Christie’s did not want to dilute prices for similar books and items in the auctions.  Or, at that time in 2002, they did not met Christie’s $ price point or quality at time of auction. Most of these have increased in value with some up 10-fold in the last 20 years. These vary in condition. We will do our best to describe the condition and take quality photos for your review. We will be sure to photograph the copyright pages and any other identification marks for correct editions and printings. We are not experts in rare books & ephemera but are somewhat knowledgeable from selling books, magazines, and other ephemera for several years. We recently sold about 500 books from actor Montgomery Clift’s personal collection. 

We will be listing 100’s of items each week until everything has been listed.

Here are the Three auctions with prices realized:

The Detective Fiction Library of Richard M. Lackritz, M. D. Part I. 

By Christie's

17 April 2002 | Live auction 1104

Sale Total USD 325,171

The Detective Fiction Library of Richard M. Lackritz, M.D. Part 2

24 September 2002 | Live auction 1117

Sale Total USD 368,597

Christies April 2003 Literature including The Detective Fiction Library of Richard Lackritz, M. D. Part-III

8 April 2003 | Live auction 1216

Sale Total USD 1,023,365