FAQ – Purchase of books and antiquarian prints

FAQ – Purchase of Books and Old Prints

Do you buy books in Warsaw?

Yes. Within Warsaw, we can come to the client, make an on-site valuation, and pay cash upon collection of the book collection. We serve both private individuals and institutions, offices, foundations, or heirs organizing family libraries.

Do you buy books outside Warsaw as well?

Yes. We conduct the purchase of books and old prints throughout Poland. For larger or particularly interesting collections, a visit to the client is possible after prior arrangement of details. Preliminary assessment is usually done based on photos.

Do you buy entire libraries and book collections?

Yes. We are interested in both single valuable copies and entire private, family, and institutional libraries. We buy collections gathered over many years, collections inherited as estates, and collections from liquidated apartments, houses, or offices.

What kind of books do you buy?

We primarily buy:

  • old prints,

  • 19th-century books,

  • books published before 1939,

  • pre-war literature,

  • first editions,

  • collector's and bibliophile editions,

  • books in artistic bindings,

  • books with autographs and dedications,

  • old historical, scientific, and regional publications,

  • maps, graphics, and publications of collectible value.

We are especially interested in rare books sought after by collectors and publications with historical or bibliographic value.

Do you buy pre-war books?

Yes. The purchase of pre-war books is one of the main areas of our activity. We are interested in books published before 1939, including fiction, historical, scientific, travel, religious literature, and illustrated publications. Many books from the interwar period now have significant collectible value.

Is every pre-war book valuable?

Not every one, however, the age of the book is only one of the factors affecting its value. The rarity of the edition, condition, print run, completeness of the copy, binding, and current collector interest also matter. Therefore, it is worth consulting even seemingly ordinary pre-war books.

Do you buy old prints?

Yes. We purchase old prints from the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. We are interested in both single copies and larger collections held by private individuals or institutions.

Do you buy Polish old prints and polonica?

Yes. We are particularly interested in Polish old prints and so-called polonica, i.e., old prints related to Poland in terms of content, author, place of publication, or subject matter. Polonica include, among others, works by Polish authors, publications concerning the history and culture of Poland, prints published on Polish lands, and publications devoted to the Polish Commonwealth.

We buy both old prints published in Polish as well as Latin, German, French, or Italian publications related to the history of Poland, its rulers, cities, nobility, Church, science, and social life. Rare polonica from the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries with historical, scientific, and collectible value are especially valued.

What is an old print?

An old print is considered a book printed before 1800. These are objects of particular historical and collectible significance. Many of them have old bindings, ex-libris, ownership stamps, engravings, and other features indicating their unique character.

How are old prints valued?

When valuing old prints, we take into account many factors, including the age of the print, rarity on the market, condition, completeness of the copy, presence of illustrations, maps, engravings, and the provenance of the book.

The binding of the old print is also of significant importance. Especially valued are old parchment, leather bindings, and bindings decorated with embossing, superexlibris, or preserved metal elements. In many cases, the original binding is an important element of the historical and collectible value of the work.

Final valuation is also influenced by ownership marks, ex-libris, stamps, handwritten notes of former owners, and documented provenance of the copy.

Do you buy books with autographs?

Yes. Copies containing authors' autographs, dedications, ownership inscriptions of famous people, and books with interesting provenance are especially valued.

Do you buy first editions of books?

Yes. First editions of valued Polish and foreign authors are among the most sought-after items on the antiquarian and collector market.

Do you buy books in poorer condition?

Yes. We are also interested in copies requiring renovation or conservation. In the case of rare and sought-after books, minor damages do not necessarily significantly affect purchase interest.

How is the valuation of books done?

Usually, it is enough to send photos of the books via WhatsApp to the number 609 772 993 or by email to sklep@antyksobieski.pl. It is worth photographing the spines of the books, title pages, and any damages. For larger collections, on-site valuation is also possible.

Is the valuation free?

Yes. Preliminary valuation of books, old prints, and entire collections is completely free and non-binding.

How long does the valuation take?

In most cases, we respond within 24–48 hours of receiving photos. For very large collections or particularly rare items, this time may be slightly longer.

Do you pay cash?

Yes. In the case of personal collection of books or collections, immediate cash payment is possible. This applies both to Warsaw and other locations to which we travel after prior arrangement of transaction details. The form of settlement is always individually agreed with the owner of the collection.

Do you buy books inherited from family?

Yes. We very often help in the valuation and purchase of collections received as inheritance. In such cases, on-site inspection and comprehensive assessment of the entire library's value are possible.

What photos are best to send for valuation?

The most helpful are photos of book spines arranged on shelves, title pages, bindings, and any damages. For old prints, it is also worth sending photos of title pages, engravings, and bindings.

 

Antykwariat Sobieski conducts the purchase of pre-war books, old prints, first editions, collector's books, and entire collections in Warsaw and throughout Poland. We offer free valuation, professional assessment of antiquarian value, and quick settlement. We are especially interested in books published before 1939, old prints from the 16th–18th centuries, bibliophile editions, books with autographs, old historical publications, and valuable private libraries. Thanks to many years of experience, we are able to reliably assess both single copies and entire collections of books with collectible and historical value.