-
Rare Book Consignment
Sotheby’s began as an auctioneer of books in 1744. More than 270 years later, our dedicated team of specialists continues to lead the market, with sales over the past five years exceeding $350 million. While this is the oldest selling category at Sotheby’s, in recent years the Books and Manuscripts Department has been one of our most inventive, with theme sales, new influencer-led marketing campaigns, and our highly successful transition to selling books online. We also continue to host traditional live auctions in New York, London and Paris throughout the year.
Recent successful books sales include a presentation copy of Darwin’s On the Origin of Species (162,500 GBP), a distinguished copy of Hamilton’s Federalist (250,000 USD), a first edition of Marcel Proust’s Du Côté de Chez Swann (535,500 EUR), and artist Francisco Goya’s Los Caprichos (912,500 USD).
To learn more about the value of your historical book collection, simply submit images and information through our easy-to-use online form. Our specialists will review your submission and issue preliminary estimates for items that can be included in any of our sales.
Find Out the Value Of Your Rare Books
Submit photos and information about your books to begin your complimentary estimate request.
Get an Estimate
Books Consigned with Sotheby's
Talk to a Books Specialist
Talk to a Books Specialist
NEW YORK: +1 212 710 5916
LONDON: +44 (0)20 3936 5386
PARIS: +33 1 85 16 83 05
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best way to sell my rare book or collection of books and manuscripts?Trust Sotheby’s to inspect and evaluate your first-edition novel, antique manuscript or letter, or rare book collection. If you wish to sell a book, map, ephemera, letter or document, simply send photographs, relevant paperwork and other background information to Sotheby’s for an estimate. Our international team of books and manuscripts specialists are experienced in manuscript and antique book appraisal and sales, including the most rare and expensive examples.
- When does Sotheby's hold auctions for rare books and manuscripts?Each year in June and December, Sotheby’s Books and Manuscripts Department in New York hosts sales of all types of collectible books. Our January sale typically features significant sales of American books and manuscripts, while offices in Paris and London hold biannual book and manuscript sales that include books across all centuries and categories.
Sotheby's also offers specialized sales that occur on a yearly or occasional basis that focus on specialized categories such as science and technology, musical manuscripts, children’s literature, antique maps and atlases, and rock and roll ephemera. - Can I sell my rare book online through Sotheby's?Yes, indeed. Sotheby’s Books and Manuscripts Department invites participation in our online timed auctions of Fine Books and Manuscripts, including Americana. Past online selections have included cartography from distinguished private collections; an extraordinary copy of History of the Expedition under the Command of Captains Lewis and Clark in the original printed boards; a first edition, first printing, first issue of Edgar Allen Poe’s Tales with the original wrappers; a presentation copy of Karl Marx’s Le Capital; and John Keats's copy of Butler's Hudibras, presented to his brother, George Keats. For New York inquiries, please contact: Books@sothebys.com.
For London inquiries, contact: Bookslondon@sothebys.com. - Can a specialist come to my home to evaluate my library?While the easiest way to obtain an evaluation is to submit your information through our online form, our experts do evaluate books in person as well. Specialists are located in London, Paris and New York, but they also travel frequently. All upcoming travel dates will be listed on this page. If you have questions about a specific visit or would like to discuss your collection in greater detail, please call the books department nearest you.
NEW YORK: +1 212 710 5916
LONDON: +44 (0)20 3936 5386
PARIS: +33 1 85 16 83 05
More information on how to sell with Sotheby's
Sotheby’s is your best resource to buy, consign and sell a rare book, antique book, used book, first edition book, first issue, first printing, old manuscript, science and technology book, musical manuscript, children’s literature, antique maps and atlases, rock and roll ephemera, sermon, speech, script, draft, literary manuscript, vintage letter, poem, papers, scientific manuscript, treaty, treatise, declaration, archives, scrapbook, notebook, diary, ship’s log, deed, document, lecture, historical document, antique map, corrected proof, typescript or writings on vellum, linen and paper. If you are wondering, “How much is my rare antique book worth?” or looking for antique book appraisal, Sotheby’s complimentary auction estimate service will evaluate a book free of charge.