By Judy Carmack Bross
In two key auction areas traditionally dominated by men, two young Heritage Auctions experts are proving that women can be leaders in Numismatics and Rare Books. Mary Kohnke, a specialist in the Rare Books department and Roxana Uskali, Director of Numismatics for Heritage Auctions’ Chicago office, each with young families and community interests, are proving how the trajectory of women in prime portfolios has evolved. Speaking with them recently between the auctions they were running further opened the romance and mystery of collectables.
The Uskali family
The Kohnke family
Chicago Heritage Auctions Heidi Calkins who heads business development, set the stage for us, explaining why auction houses are compelling career paths for young women.
“The auction world is endlessly dynamic and compelling. Our specialists are the foremost experts in their fields and deeply dedicated to their areas of interest. The collectors Heritage serves are equally fascinating. They are deeply committed and so enthusiastic about the categories in which they truly are compelled to collect. It’s fun, and a privilege, to spend one’s days with charismatic people who are so passionate and knowledgeable about the history of things, from books and coins to comics and sports collectibles…and beyond!”
Published by Chicago’s A.C. McClurg & Co., and written by Edgar Rice Burroughs, who was born in Chicago and wrote in his Oak Park home
Last Monday the Heritage Rare Books auction was a case in point. Unlike Numismatics where auctions occur almost daily, Rare Books held only three auctions this year. The Dec. 15 event posted record-breaking sales including J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy, a first edition set which sold for $250,000, and a first edition of Bram Stoker’s Dracula for $55,000. Chicago also enjoyed a special moment, as a first edition of Edgar Rice Burroughs, Tarzan of the Apes, published by A.C. McClurg & Co., a bygone, historic stationer, publisher and book wholesaler for over 120 years in the city, sold for $37,500.
J. R. R. Tolkien. The Lord of the Rings: comprising The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King. London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd., 1954-1955. Sold for $250,000 (a record for unsigned first edition of J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings).
Kohnke brings more than 20 years of expertise in rare books, manuscripts, and archival collections. She joined Heritage following an accomplished career at another regional auction house and as the founder of Ex Libris Appraisals, a private appraisal firm specializing in archives and collections of historical significance.
Mary Kohnke, a rare books specialist for Heritage Auctions
Kohnke holds a B.A. in Classics from Valparaiso University and an M.A. in Art History from the University of Notre Dame. She is a Certified Member of the Appraisers Association of America and is recognized for her rigorous scholarship, research-based approach, and deep understanding of the rare book and manuscript market.
Throughout her career, Mary has worked with a wide range of material—from early printed books and illuminated manuscripts to institutional archives and collections of cultural heritage—helping clients preserve, evaluate, and present important pieces of history.
In Chicago, Kohnke is a member of the highly regarded Caxton Club, which brings together a diverse group of authors and archivists, editors and library heads and more, with the love of books in common. She added that the bookstore in the Marshall Fields State Street store once was a mecca for book lovers. “The rare book market has indeed been traditionally male-dominated,” Kohnke says, “with women, including the wives of sellers, playing a significant role, but, as collecting categories continue to evolve and bookstores change hands, a number of savvy female booksellers have entered the fold.” She notes, “The Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America, for example, lists over 70 female-owned and operated bookstores in their online directory, with even more young independent booksellers online, and most internationally recognized auction houses, including Heritage, have women on staff as specialists and catalogers. The nation’s top bibliophilic associations, including the Caxton Club, have had women as past Presidents; a little over 50 years ago, most of them didn’t let women join at all!”
Heritage has historically achieved exceptional prices for female authors, including, in 2024, a first edition of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein: or, The Modern Prometheus, in rare original pink boards, which sold for $843,750, and, on December 15 of this year, an inscribed copy of Daphne DuMaurier’s Rebecca and a first edition of Middlemarch by George Eliot, a.k.a. Mary Ann Evens, which sold for $21,250 and $75,000 respectively.
Roxana Uskali, Midwest Director of Numismatics
Uskali dabbled in US coins as a child, but after graduating cum laude from Loyola University Chicago, where she received degrees in world history, theology, and piano performance, she combined her diverse academic background and love of travel into a career in professional numismatics. Roxana spent nine years working as the principal world coin numismatist for a prestigious Chicago firm, then her own company, KRCoins, before joining Heritage Chicago nearly ten years ago as the Midwest Director of Numismatics. In addition to working directly with clients, she has helped catalog major world coin auctions, while also frequently attending major coin shows around the U.S. and abroad. More recently, she has also mentored young women starting out in her field. She is a member of the ANA, the ANS, the IBNS, the Chicago Coin Club, and the CSNS.
Record breaking $4,320,000 sold on Dec. 7: China: Republic Chang Tso-lin silver Specimen Pattern Dollar Year 16 (1927)
“Heritage Auctions is proud to be the global leader in numismatics. Whether we’re selling rare Chinese coinage or high-end U.S. coins and currency, we consistently achieve record-breaking results across a wide range of categories. What truly sets us apart is our ability to adapt—meeting the changing needs of both seasoned collectors and first-time consignors. As a collector myself, I understand how personal collecting can be. That’s why I strive to offer a concierge-level experience to our clients—whether someone is looking for the perfect addition to their collection or preparing to bring it to market,” Uskali shared.
“In fact, no two days are the same. One day, I might be reviewing images and answering emails; the next, I’m traveling across the country—or even overseas—to meet with consignors and help evaluate their holdings for upcoming auctions. After more than 20 years in this field, I still find it just as exciting and rewarding as when I started. Working with collectors, helping them navigate their journey, and playing a small part in preserving history—it never gets old.”
Uskali went on to discuss her own collection and how she and her sons continue to expand it.
“When I began collecting nearly 15 years ago, I made a conscious decision to focus on pieces that truly appealed to me—both aesthetically and thematically. I was drawn to coins with bold, striking imagery, and that led me to German Wildman Talers. These fascinating pieces depict wild, caveman-like figures in dramatic poses—often shown uprooting trees—which gives them a strong visual presence. The series offers a wide variety of types, making the hunt both challenging and fun. Best of all, my sons love the designs, which makes sharing the collection with them even more meaningful. Here’s an example of one that we’ve sold at Heritage.”
A German Wildman Taler
She continued, “They’re still young, but they’ve already taken an interest in my work—asking questions about coins, watching our auctions, and even recognizing certain designs. It means a lot to me that they see their mother engaged in a career she truly enjoys, and I hope it inspires them to pursue their own interests with the same energy and purpose.”
To Kohnke and Uskali, mentoring other young women in the auction field is a commitment taken on with enthusiasm. Uskali was 21 when she decided to work in the field, Kohnke 24.
“As with any job, experience lends to success, but, perhaps more so than other fields, so does listening and collaboration. In terms of taking in consignments, you need to be able to go to an estate, look at thousands of items, and indicate to the client what has value and what does not. You need to know how to describe the physical characteristics of a book and cite key bibliographical references that are crucial for identification. Aside from these skills, as an appraiser, you learn early on how important listening to your clients’ stories is and I personally would not be where I am today if I had not made, and maintained, relationships with other experts in their various fields of interest, including librarians, dealers and private collectors. Ours is definitely a niche market, but one where people appreciate how lucky they are to be able to do what they love and are more than happy to share their experiences.”
$425,000: F. Scott Fitzgerald. The Great Gatsby. New York, 1925. Inscribed first edition in rare dust jacket
On December 15 of this year, an inscribed copy of Daphne DuMaurier’s Rebecca, sold for $21,250
Uskali noted that having a good memory is important.
“As a musician, I’m used to memorizing long passages of sheet music, and I’ve found that skill surprisingly transferable—I often meet collectors and can immediately recall the details of their collections. More than that, having spent nine years working in a coin shop, where I handled coins daily, engaged with collectors, and observed the market in real-time, taught me more than any textbook could. It was a true apprenticeship in the field that provided invaluable hands-on experience. And, my genuine interest in history has also played a significant role. Many of the coins we handle—from ancient Roman to early modern issues—require more than technical knowledge. You need historical context to fully appreciate them and to communicate their importance to clients. You also find yourself constantly learning about metallurgy, adjusting to changing gold and silver values, and navigating shifting trends in the marketplace. Credibility is essential. Clients need to know that you’re not just knowledgeable, but trustworthy. Being a good listener, staying curious, and approaching the work with patience and integrity—that’s what builds long-term relationships in this business.”
Attention grabbing $720,000 sold on Dec. 6: Russia: Peter I gold Medallic Polupoltina of 3 Ducats 1702 AU
In 2024, a first edition of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein: or, The Modern Prometheus, in rare original pink boards, sold for $843,750
Bram Stoker. Dracula. Westminster: Archibald Constable & Co., 1897. First edition. Sold for $55,000 with buyer’s premium (a record for an unsigned first edition of Dracula).
The face of auctions changes often faster than the fall of a gavel. Hearing of not only Uskali’s and Kohnke’s own careers but also of the ways they are mentoring other young women speaks to why the auction world is thriving today.
