Books & Manuscripts

In 2017, Aguttes was selected to oversee the sales of Aristophil’s impressive collection of books and manuscripts. After eight years, total sales have exceeded 110 million euros, with 335 preemptive purchases, numerous records set, three lots designated as National Treasures, and a series of catalogs that will go down in the history of the profession.

Major auctions of historical books and manuscripts

Aguttes has thus strengthened its position in this demanding market and expanded its network of collectors worldwide. We are thus able to target our clientele for a 13th-century Book of Hours, a 17th-century atlas, a first edition by Marcel Proust, a book illustrated by Pablo Picasso, as well as a musical manuscript by Stravinsky or a letter by Baudelaire.

Our highest auction price to date remains the manuscript of Albert Einstein and Michele Besso’s Theory of Relativity, which sold for 11.7 million euros in 2021. Modern bindings are fetching impressive prices at auction, such as Pierre Legrain’s binding of Francis Carco’s Nuits de Paris, which sold for 20,000 euros, or Cretté’s binding of Schmied’s Cantique des Cantiques, which sold for 39,000 euros. 

In our auctions, we offer antique books, modern illustrated books, artists’ books, prints, manuscripts, autograph letters, and more. To this end, we work with experts specialized in their respective fields and draw on a large database of buyers loyal to Aguttes. 

Sophie Perrine, auctioneer and partner at Aguttes, has devoted herself entirely since 2017 to organizing the sale of the Aristophil collections, one of the most significant collections of books and manuscripts ever assembled. After handling exceptional works and meeting collectors passionate about this rich subject matter, she now devotes herself entirely to this specialty, surrounded by the finest experts and supported by a large number of devoted enthusiasts. 

Get the Most Value for Your Antique Books: Appraisal and Valuation

Our sellers may have a few books or an entire library.
We can schedule an appointment to visit your home and help you select items that would sell, whether individually or in lots. Seeing an entire library allows us to better assess the nature and value of a collection.

For any book, whether old or modern, the first step is to examine the title page, which reveals key information: author, publisher, title, and year of publication. If the book includes a dedication, a gift inscription, or an ex-libris, these elements add value to the work. The binding is also important: it may be signed (especially for modern works) or marked with the coat of arms or monogram of an important person. Next comes the overall condition, which, even for a book that is 300 or 500 years old, can play a role.

Finally, an estimate can only be considered final after the book has been collated, that is, after an examination has confirmed the correct number of pages and the number of illustrations, engravings, etc.

Collecting Authentic Antique Books and Manuscripts

The field of letters and autograph manuscripts is vast: it can include historical documents such as charters, papal bulls, or administrative records; as well as letters or manuscripts by writers, musicians, historians, artists, and scientists.

Many authors stir up strong emotions, such as Baudelaire, Rimbaud, Proust, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cézanne, Picasso, Mozart, Beethoven, Einstein, Napoleon, Josephine, and many others. Many attics are also overflowing with documents on parchment, sometimes bearing royal or historical signatures. These are sometimes papers preserved through inheritance that do not always have a high market value. The appraisal will therefore focus first on the author and then on the content. For autograph letters or important correspondence, the author’s name and signature, as well as the letter’s content, are decisive factors. A letter from the painter Auguste Renoir discussing one of his paintings will not have the same value as a simple dinner invitation. Also, rarity on the market: a letter from the poet Arthur Rimbaud fetches a high price due to his early death. It is the knowledge, experience, and discerning eye of an expert that can verify the authenticity of a handwriting sample or, for example, by examining the paper, determine that it is not a facsimile or a forgery.

The uniqueness of an autograph letter or correspondence also adds value.

Reach international buyers through our promotional program

Our promotional program leverages modern tools and a trusted network built over many years between Aguttes, collectors, and professionals. Aguttes possesses unique strengths in communication and provides sellers with modern, targeted tools for effective international promotion.Our specialists and experts are at your disposal to appraise your items and provide you with professional expertise as well as advice on sales or investment. They travel throughout France and Europe in collaboration with our regional offices to conduct appraisals and evaluations.

Our Rare Books and Old Manuscripts department organizes 2 to 3 auctions in Paris each year.
Discover our auction calendar and our offices.