Books
& Manuscripts

Headed by Frédéric Harnisch, an experienced specialist in all areas of rare and precious books and manuscripts, the department also calls on the best experts whenever specific items demand it.

Its scope is very wide, ranging from medieval manuscripts, illuminated or not, to the most contemporary literary and artistic works, including beautiful bindings from all ages or the most fundamental works of human genius.

The department offers collectors works relating to genealogy and heraldry as well as art and musical creation, not forgetting the graphic works of writers and artists.

Thanks to its expertise, Artcurial has been entrusted with numerous collections that have been successfully auctioned, such as the Maurice Houdayer Library, whose four sales totalled nearly €4m in 2021 and 2022.

Thanks to this diversity of subjects and the expertise brought to each work, the Books & Manuscripts department enjoys an excellent reputation with a wide international audience and organises between two and five sales per year.

Artcurial’s specialists are at your disposal for free and confidential valuations of your books and manuscripts.

Specialist

Frédéric K. Harnisch

Director
Phone +33 1 42 99 16 49
fharnisch@artcurial.com

Contact

Emeline Duprat

Administrator
Phone +33 1 42 99 16 58
eduprat@artcurial.com

News

Alexandre Dumas: A Collection dedicated to his work

On 27^th September, the Books & Manuscripts department will auction an exceptional collection of works by Alexandre Dumas. Geneviève and Jean-Paul Kahn have collected the countless works of Alexandre Dumas, gathering a library that approaches exhaustiveness. From his first plays to his masterpieces of popular literature, not forgetting his political commitment to Garibaldi, (almost) everything Dumas has to say is s to be found in this sale!

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The Marie-Puck Broodthaers Collection offered for Sale

On 25^th May, Artcurial’s Books & Manuscripts department, in collaboration with booksellers and experts Benoît Forgeot and Philippe Luiggi, will present a part of the collection of Marie-Puck Broodthaers. Daughter of Belgian artist Marcel Broodthaers (1924-1976), gallery owner and collector, she offers for sale a set of more than 230 lots, divided into two chapters.

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The third part of the Maurice Houdayer Library sold at auction by Artcurial

After the success of the first two auction sessions dedicated to the Maurice Houdayer Library, the dispersal of the collection continued. The third session took place on Wednesday 4^th May 2022 at Artcurial.

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Books & Manuscripts, including the Mr. X Collection: the eclecticism of the fifth Art

On 8 March, the Books & Manuscripts department presented a collection of letters, complete works, manuscripts, original editions and illustrated books dating from before and after 1800, including the prestigious Mr. X Collection of works illustrated by famous artists and books dedicated to photography.

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Success for the second sale session of the Maurice Houdayer Library

After the success of the first auction session on 9th March with a total of €1.3m, this second part of the Maurice Houdayer Library sale was again a triumph, reaching €1.3m with 100% of the lots sold. The dispersal of the Maurice Houdayer collection will continue with a third sale in spring 2022.

Great success for Georges Brassens’ manuscripts at auction

On Tuesday 22nd September, Artcurial organised its special auction for the new school year: the dispersal of 22 original manuscripts by Georges Brassens from the Fred Mella estate. After a concert by the Hall de la Chanson choir performing some of the artist's titles, the auction led by Maître Hervé Poulain was a success with 100% of the lots sold. It totals 377 650 € / 441 850 $ fees included with nine pre-emptions by the National Library of France and the institutions of the city of Sète.

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