Book Auction Houses
Auction houses with rare book auctions also offer maps & prints, autographs & documents, letters, ephemera, vintage photography and many regularly offer manuscripts and comics.
Selected Book Auction Houses
Antiquarian Auctions
Founded by the antiquarian bookseller Paul Mills, AntiquarianAuctions.com holds a major role in the international rare book trade. Contributing to the rare book collectors community for over 35 years now, AntiquarianAuctions.com also participates in rare book trade associations, international organizations and collectors’ clubs. Offering a wide database since 2010, it is undoubtedly one of the top online destinations for every rare book collector.
Dominic Winter Auctioneers
Established in 1988, Dominic Winter Auctioneers is located in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom. The founder, Dominic Winter, set the basis of a truly dedicated auction house, serving the field with professionalism and passion. Rare book auctions run monthly attracting wide crowds from all over the world. Alongside to these, Dominic Winter Auctioneers organize auctions of historical objects and documents or other collectables from around the globe.
PBA Galleries Auction House
Founded in 1992, PBA Galleries Auction House operates in San Francisco. Former employees of California Book Auction Galleries took the initiative to continue this legacy after the founder’s passing, whilst bringing to PBA Galleries an experience of 35 years in book auctioning. Dealing with rare books, manuscripts, maps and photographs as well as modern literature, PBA Galleries organize almost 25 auctions every year, attracting a global crowd.
Alde Auctions
Established in Paris by Jerome Delcamp, Alde Auctions is the pioneer in France’s rare book trade. As the very first French auction house for rare books, autographs and coins, Alde Auctions specializes in ancient books, first editions, and manuscripts, all dated within 15th to 19th century, as well as contemporary original books for collectors. Alde borrows its name by the Venetian printer Aldus Manutius, or Alde Manuce, as known in France.
Reiss & Sohn Auktionen
Starting up operations in 1971, Reiss & Sohn Auction House is located in Germany. Considered as one of the significant auctioneers worldwide, Reiss & Sohn leads in the trade of high-quality antique books, manuscripts, maps and photography. Interestingly, Reiss & Sohn Auktionen holds the highest auction result achieved in Germany during the post-war period for selling the very rare and first edition of Martin Luther’s “95 Thesen”.
Forum Auctions
Specialized in Antiquarian Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper, Forum Auctions operates in London, New York and Italy, though provides international auction service. Trading antiquarian books and manuscripts, prints, drawings and photographs, as well as modern literature, Forum Auctions has managed to combine benefits of online auctioning with experience of traditional trading, gaining the attention of the rare books collectors community worldwide.
Catawiki Auctions
Founded in 2008, Catawiki Auctions is an online platform trading rare collectibles. Realized by René Schoenmakers and Marco Jansen, Catawiki Auctions offers a great insight to the world of comics, but also deals with collectibles such as coins, telephone cards and postage stamps. Organizing weekly online auctions since 2011, Catawiki has quickly grown among the online collectors community, expanding its range of items trading.
Koller Auctions
Created in 1958 by Pierre Koller, Koller Auctions is the largest auction house in Switzerland and one of the most significant houses in Europe. What started as a simple antique shop, has now been operating for over 60 years, reaching highest and highest levels of sales of Swiss Art worldwide. With offices running in Munich, London, Paris, Moscow and Beijing, Koller Auctions specializes in rare paintings and prints, books and manuscripts, furniture and art.
Sotheby’s Auctions
Established back in 1744 in London, Sotheby’s Auctions is one of the most ancient auction houses worldwide. Founded in Britain by the bookseller Samuel Baker, Sotheby’s is now a multinational auction company based in New York City. Trading rare books, but also art, jewelry and other collectibles, Sotheby’s Auctions operates in 40 countries. Interestingly, in 2007, Sotheby’s Auctions sold a 710-year-old copy of the Magna Carta.
Heritage Auctions
Founded in the 1970s, Heritage Auctions is the creation of two passionate collectors, Steve Ivy and Jim Halperin. Located firstly in Dallas of Texas, Heritage Auctions is a leader in trading comics, collectible books, art, numismatics as well as memorabilia from the film and music industry. Lately, in 2019, Heritage Auctions managed to set the record for the most expensive Marvel comic sold in an auction.
Swann Galleries Auctions
Created in 1941 in New York, Swann Galleries Auctions stands out as the oldest auction house of New York City. Collectors may choose among books, autographs and manuscripts, maps and photographs, prints and drawings, vintage posters, illustration art, and African-American fine art. Swann Galleries is the only auction house operating as a member of the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America, organizing over 35 auctions every year.
Christie’s Auctions
Founded in 1766, Christie’s Auctions is one of the oldest British auction houses. Established by James Christie, today it holds offices in both London and New York City, trading a wide variety of collectibles: books and manuscripts, 19th century works of art and furniture, ceramics, paintings and many more. Interestingly, Christie’s Auctions reached the highest price ever paid for a painting, when it sold Salvator Mundi in 2017.
Cowan’s Auctions
Created in 1995 by the collection enthusiast, Wes Cowan, Cowan’s auctions hold over 40 auctions every year, operating in offices in the United States but offering services worldwide. Rare books and manuscripts, American Indian Art, Modern Ceramics, Decorative and Fine Art are the areas Cowan’s leads in the industry. Its founder, Cowan, discovered his passion about antiques, when strolling across the antique stores of southeastern Michigan.
Morton Subastas
Opened in Mexico City in 1988, Morton Casa de Subastas is an auction house operating in Mexico, the United States and Europe. Collectible books and documents, antiques and jewelry, contemporary art, photography and prints, as well as collection wines and spirits can be found at this unique Mexican auction house. Items by significant art figures, such as Salvador Dali, Frida Khalo, Andy Warhol and so many others have been auctioned by Morton Subastas.
