Have your books and manuscripts appraised for free

If you own one or more antiquarian books, and would like to know their value, our state-approved experts and auctioneers can offer you their expert appraisal services.

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

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

Rating and value of antiquarian books

Antiquarian books are currently sought-after collector's items. If you own one or more, they may be worth more than you think. On the art market, these objects can fetch very high prices under the auctioneer's hammer.  

They are particularly prized, and the price at which they sell on the art market ranges from €25 to €1.7 million, a fairly substantial range, but one that speaks volumes about the value that can be attributed to these objects.  

Their appraisal is also very complicated and subject to many rules. The value of your diamond can vary according to many factors, and for all the reasons listed below, it needs to be entrusted to a specialist. 

In 2017, a first edition of Montaigne's Essais was acquired for $50,0000 at Christie's. 

Order of value ranging from a simple antiquarian book to the most prestigious

Antiquarian books and collectible manuscripts are precious relics, silent witnesses of time, prized by seasoned collectors and enlightened lovers of history and literature alike.

Their beauty lies not only in their material rarity, but also in their ability to capture the spirit of a bygone era, translating social, intellectual and cultural developments over the centuries.

These works, often magnified by illuminations or artistic bindings, offer a fascinating insight into past sensibilities, while marking the progress of thought and writing.

Whether a richly ornate medieval manuscript or a first edition of a literary masterpiece, these objects embody human history in a tangible, irreplaceable form. 

Why are these ancient books and manuscripts so precious?

Their value often exceeds that of mere material: it lies in the story they tell, in their rarity, in the context of their creation, and in their impact on subsequent generations.

Each ancient book has its own journey through time, its own owners, and sometimes, its own secrets.

These artifacts are mirrors of a past where every word and every illumination was traced by hand, representing hours of painstaking work.

Illuminated Bibles, scientific or philosophical treatises, and great works of literature are not only objects of reading, but also works of art that span the ages.

Take, for example, the famous Gutenberg Bible, the very symbol of the printing revolution, printed in the mid-15th century. Considered the first mass-printed book in the Western world, it marked a radical breakthrough in the dissemination of knowledge.

Only a few examples remain today, and in 2013, one of them sold for over $14 million, illustrating just how much this object is not only a technical feat but also a historical monument.

Another treasure from ancient times, the Codex Leicester, a manuscript written by Leonardo da Vinci, reflects the master's visionary spirit.

Filled with notes on subjects as varied as astronomy and geology, it fetched over $30 million at a 1994 auction, testifying to the intimate link between art, science and innovation in the Renaissance.

Manuscripts convey a very special intimacy, that of a singular hand, that of an author capturing moments of reflection and creation.

An emblematic example is Jane Austen's manuscript Lady Susan, the draft of a novel that later revealed her literary genius as Northanger Abbey.

This text, full of the author's personality and budding talent, sold for over a million dollars in 2008.

Just as valuable, the diary of Samuel Pepys, a 17th-century British civil servant who described the daily life of his time with rare acuity, fetched over $1.5 million at auction, underlining the extent to which personal accounts can become priceless archives of collective history.

Characteristics to consider when valuing an antiquarian book

To estimate the value of an antiquarian book, several key criteria need to be taken into account. First, the edition is often a determining factor.

The older the book, and especially if it's a first edition, the greater its rarity and value. First editions, generally produced in small quantities, are highly prized by collectors.

For example, a first edition by a famous author, such as Voltaire or Dickens, can fetch high sums at auction.

Condition is also crucial. An antique book in good condition, with all its pages intact, without stains or tears, will be more valuable. The quality of the binding is also important, especially if it is period, leather or vellum.

Even if a restoration has been carried out, as long as it is done with care, it can still add a certain elegance to the work.

Another important factor is provenance. If a book belonged to a historical figure or comes from a prestigious collection, this adds cachet and, therefore, value. Bookplates (ownership marks), handwritten annotations or author dedications are all details that make a book unique.

A book that belonged to a royal figure or was annotated by a famous thinker, for example, will be particularly coveted.

Of course, rarity plays an essential role. If a book exists in only a few copies, or has survived major historical events, it becomes all the more valuable. Works such as the Gutenberg Bible are sought after not only for their antiquity, but also because very few copies are still in circulation.

The visual and artistic quality of the book is also a factor. Some old books contain fine engravings or illuminations.

The rarer and more renowned the illustrations, the more valuable the book.

Gilded illuminations or master engravings can transform a book into a veritable collector's item.

Finally, the book's historical or intellectual importance is an essential criterion. Some books have marked turning points in the history of thought, or played a key role in historical events.

For example, a first edition of Montaigne's Essais or a revolutionary scientific treatise such as Newton's are highly prized, not only for their rarity, but also for their contribution to human knowledge. 

So the value of an antiquarian book depends on a whole range of factors that go far beyond its mere age.

Its edition, condition, history, rarity and cultural importance form a whole, which only qualified experts such as auctioneers can accurately assess.

These specialists are there to ensure that each work finds its rightful place on the market, whether at auction or as a private acquisition.

The appraisal of an antiquarian book is based on precise criteria, similar to the valuation methods established in the field of art and antiques. Like the certificates provided by laboratories for diamonds, the authenticity of an antiquarian book is often confirmed by specialized experts or academic institutions, who verify the edition, provenance and integrity of the work.

The technical aspects of antiquarian book appraisal

Essential criteria include edition and rarity. Like carats for a diamond, the importance of a first or limited edition significantly increases a book's value.

First printings of major works, such as those by Shakespeare or Rabelais, are particularly sought-after. An antique book from a small production run, like a rare diamond, quickly becomes a precious collector's item. 

Secondly, the state of preservation is decisive. A well-preserved book, with its original binding, intact pages and no modern annotations, is much more prized than a damaged copy.

As with diamonds, where purity is assessed, the visual and material quality of the book - its binding, engravings, uncut margins - directly influence its value. This is also the case for antique paintings.

What's more, a skilfully executed restoration can, if authentic and respectful of the work, preserve or even enhance its value.

Just as the ethical provenance of a diamond influences its price, the history of a book plays a crucial role in its appraisal. If a book belonged to a historical figure, it adds a special cachet.

Marks of ownership, such as bookplates or dedications by the author, increase its interest, just as a diamond from a reputable source will have greater appeal.

Traceability of provenance is of paramount importance, as is documentation detailing previous ownership and storage conditions. 

The book's geographical provenance may also come into play, particularly for incunabula or works printed in important cultural centers of the Renaissance, such as Venice or Paris, in the same way that a diamond's origin influences its rarity and value.

Finally, the experts will look at the intellectual and cultural significance of the text, similar to analyzing the proportions of a diamond to maximize its brilliance.

An antiquarian book that played a key role in the transmission of ideas, or contributed to scientific, literary or philosophical revolutions, will be highly sought-after.

Works such as the first edition of Darwin's Origin of Species, or the founding texts of Enlightenment philosophy, are prized not only for their antiquity, but also for the historical impact they have had.  

In short, the appraisal of an antiquarian book requires a global and technical approach, taking into account its history, its condition, and its importance in the intellectual heritage, just as a diamond is judged on its 4Cs.

Focus on BNF's antiquarian book collection

In a market where rarity and provenance compete for buyers' attention, estimating the value of these treasures is no easy task. Only experts can accurately judge the historical, material and cultural value of each book or manuscript.

Their expertise enables them to navigate with discernment in this complex universe, where every detail - the state of preservation, the provenance, the uniqueness of the contents - can make or break the value of an object.

Organizing auctions that attract collectors from all over the world, these professionals offer a unique platform where art and history meet, while maximizing the value of these exceptional works.

Their role is therefore essential for anyone wishing to appraise or sell these witnesses to the past, opening up a new stage in the journey of these objects through time.