Press Release
Newburyport, MA, USA, March 26, 2026 — A 1777 copy of the New Testament Bible, printed by Edward Draper of Boston, sold for $199,500 (hammer price) in the virtual online auction of the estate of Peter Hickey, held on-site in Newburyport on March 15th by John McInnis Auctioneers, LLC, based in Amesbury. The hardcover leatherbound Bible, just 7 inches by 4 ¾ inches, was in fair condition.
“The price achieved for the Bible was very much a surprise, both to the family and members of my auction team that cataloged the sale,” said auctioneer John McInnis. “But the sale had eyes on it, and we had seven hundred registered bidders. There was chatter. People were talking and that led to competition and spirited bidding. In the end the buyer and the seller were both happy.”
McInnis added, “I’ve been in the auction business for forty-five years. This was a classic example of things being done the right way and the items up for competitive bidding, not just the Bible, being showcased properly. Often, families hire a company to hold an estate tag sale. If this family had done that, the Bible could easily have been tagged at ten or twenty dollars or put into a boxed group lot. By going with a reputable auction house like ours they made the right choice.”
McInnis said kudos need to go out to Dan Meader and Jay Williamson, key members of his team who did a yeoman’s job of pulling it all together. “Jay did the cataloging, but to say it was a challenge for him and Dan to go through a completely packed house and have to sort, organize and re-stage everything would be a huge understatement,” he said. “The Bible could have been overlooked were it not for their keen eye.”
During the auction, the bidding was fast and furious, up to around the $80,000 mark. “Then it quickly dwindled down to two determined bidders,” McInnis said. “In the end, a local rare books aficionado outbid a New York City rare books firm. It was fun watching them go toe-to-toe.”
John McInnis Auctioneers, LLC is always accepting quality merchandise for future auctions. To consign a single item, a collection or an estate, you may call them at 978-388-0400; or, you can email them at [email protected]. To learn more about John McInnis Auctioneers, LLC, please visit www.mcinnisauctions.com. Updates are posted frequently.
