Rating and value of antiquarian books, illuminations and first editions

If you own an antiquarian book and would like to know its value, our experts and state-approved auctioneers can help you.

Our specialists will carry out a free appraisal of your instrument, and provide you with a precise estimate of its current market value.

Then, if you want to sell your property, we'll point you in the right direction to get the best possible price.

Rating and value of an antiquarian book

Books of hours, illuminations, first editions and even scientific maps are highly prized at auction, as they are witnesses to the past and sometimes archives of history that can be very valuable.

Like handwritten letters, these objects can be very valuable on the art market.

Some prestigious documents can fetch hundreds of thousands of euros at auction.

In 2023, an early book of hours (known as office hours) containing numerous illuminations, notably of the Virgin Mary, sold for €1,727,200, whereas its estimate was between €800,000 and €1,000,000.

Other early editions can also fetch very high sums, as was the case for Saint Augustine's Confessions, from the presses of Johannes Mentelin, which sold for 318,080 euros in 2015.

Order of value from simplest to most prestigious

Characteristics and definition of an antiquarian book

Antique books are often characterized by their traditional, hand-crafted binding, which may be adorned with decorative motifs or gilding.

The pages are generally made of handmade paper or parchment, sometimes fragile due to their age, and may feature illustrations or illuminations done by hand.

The text is often printed in black ink, with antique typography, sometimes calligraphic, and the works may be accompanied by engravings or maps. Preserving old books is often a challenge, due to their fragility and sensitivity to environmental conditions.

Books of hours are particularly popular in this category. These are medieval illuminated manuscripts containing prayers and religious texts for specific times of the day, such as the canonical hours.

Richly illustrated by illuminators, these books were personalized and served as signs of piety and social status. Today, they are sought-after collector's items for their artistic beauty and their testimony to religious devotion and medieval craftsmanship.

Early illuminations: role and characteristics

Early illuminations are veritable jewels of medieval art, precious illustrations that adorn ancient manuscripts. Handcrafted by artisans known as illuminators, these miniatures, often painted on parchment, are striking for their fine detail and vibrant colors.

Each illumination tells a story, whether through religious scenes, portraits or floral and geometric motifs.

The work of the illuminators is distinguished by the frequent use of gold or silver, which gives the pages a particular, almost sacred light and a spiritual dimension, while underlining the symbolic importance of the text they accompany.

These illustrations are more than just decoration. They deeply enrich the texts, adding a visual touch that amplifies the meaning of the words, whether in religious works such as the Gospels, or in more secular writings.

Through the richness of their compositions, these illuminations plunge the reader into a contemplative atmosphere, offering an almost mystical reading experience, where art and spirituality meet.

In short, they embody a fusion of text and image, marking an era when every page was a work of art in its own right.

The appearance and evolution of antiquarian books in history

The history of ancient books actually began long before the invention of printing, at a time when knowledge was engraved on clay tablets or inscribed on papyrus scrolls.

However, it was with the advent of the codex, followed by Gutenberg's printing press in the mid-15th century, that book production really took off. The invention of the letterpress was a revolution that forever changed the way knowledge was disseminated.

Before that, books were copied by hand, often in monasteries, and remained rare, almost sacred objects.

Gutenberg's press made it possible to multiply the number of copies, facilitating access to reading and knowledge.

Early printings focused mainly on religious works, such as the Bible, but gradually classical and philosophical texts began to be reproduced, paving the way for a wider dissemination of humanist ideas.

Over the centuries, the diversity of printed works has grown, reflecting the intellectual, political and cultural changes of each era.

The printed book thus became not only a tool for disseminating thought, but also a reflection of human history, bearing the imprint of artistic movements and social upheavals.

Focus on the first edition of Montaigne's essays

The sale of the first edition of Montaigne's Essays by Christie's in 2017, for almost $500,000, represents much more than just an auction success.

It is a vibrant testimony to the intellectual and historical importance of this work, often considered one of the pillars of Western literature.

First printed in 1580, this edition embodies the beginning of a revolution in thought, in which the author indulges in unprecedented introspection, exploring with sincerity and depth the great questions of human existence.

The exceptional nature of this copy lies not only in its rarity, but also in the special aura that surrounds this seminal text. Through his Essais, Montaigne developed a unique method of thought, combining doubt, personal reflection and critical observation of the world.

Every page and every sentence seems to be a mirror held up to humanity, reflecting its contradictions, its weaknesses, but also its greatness.

This copy, preserved for over four centuries, bears not only the imprint of its era, but also the weight of the many generations of readers who have been moved by Montaigne's prose. The patina of time, the marks left by the hands that have leafed through it, add an almost sacred dimension to the object. Beyond the text itself, it is the passage of time, the idea of the transmission and continuity of thought through the ages, that gives this edition its priceless value.

For bibliophiles, acquiring a first edition of the Essais is like appropriating a piece of history, a fragment of the spirit of the Renaissance.

At a time when the circulation of ideas was still slow, this book was a powerful vector of the new humanist thought, part of an intellectual movement that was to shape modern Europe.

The sale of this work, then, becomes not just a commercial act, but a moment when culture and history embrace, reaffirming the eternal relevance of Montaigne's writings.

The Montargis antiquarian book collection

The place of antiquarian books on the auction market

Today, antiquarian books occupy a prime position on the auction market, where they are perceived as both art objects and priceless testimonies to history. They are sought after by many collectors, often highly specialized in their field.

Each book tells a unique story, whether through the rarity of its edition, the richness of its illustrations or the quality of its state of preservation. These are all elements that contribute to its value in the eyes of collectors and institutions alike.

Sales of antiquarian books can reach impressive sums, as evidenced by the sale of a first edition of Michel de Montaigne's Essays, which sold for nearly $500,000 at Christie's in 2017.

In addition to their rarity, these books are often sought-after for their provenance or the historical aura that surrounds them. Some books, having belonged to famous personalities or passed through crucial periods in history, become objects of fascination.

Beyond auctions, antiquarian books are also exhibited in galleries and museums, such as the Bibliothèque nationale de France, where they are presented not only for their market value, but also for their fundamental role in the transmission of knowledge and the preservation of the world's intellectual heritage.

Just like the original manuscriptsoriginal old paintings or even diamondsAntiquarian books are highly prized items that easily fetch high auction values.

These literary treasures remain at the heart of a dynamic market, prized by bibliophiles, collectors and institutions alike, perpetuating their importance down the centuries.

Appraising your property

If you own an antiquarian book, scientific map or other historical document and would like to know its value, don't hesitate to request a free appraisal by filling in our online form.

A member of our team of experts and certified auctioneers will contact you to provide an estimate of the market value of your property.

If you're thinking of selling your work, our specialists will also guide you through the various alternatives available to obtain the best possible price, taking into account market trends and the specific features of each item.