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Books & Manuscripts Auctions in London
Greater London, London
5auction houses
£850avg lot value
Christie's
World-renowned auction house specialising in fine art, decorative arts, jewellery, and luxury collectibles.
Fine ArtJewellery WatchesAntiques Collectibles+3 more
1.8
42 reviews
80,000
lots/year
London SW1Y 6QTEst. 1766Online bidding
Sotheby's
One of the world's largest brokers of fine and decorative art, jewellery, and collectibles.
Fine ArtJewellery WatchesAntiques Collectibles+4 more
1.6
58 reviews
75,000
lots/year
London W1A 2AAEst. 1744Online bidding
Bonhams
Major international auction house known for motoring, jewellery, and fine art.
Fine ArtAntiques CollectiblesJewellery Watches+3 more
2.1
35 reviews
60,000
lots/year
London W1S 1SREst. 1793Online bidding
Forum Auctions
Specialist book and works-on-paper auction house in Marylebone.
Books ManuscriptsFine Art
4.5
22 reviews
12,000
lots/year
London SW8 4LPEst. 2016Online bidding
Spink & Son
London specialist in coins, banknotes, stamps, and medals.
Coins MedalsBooks Manuscripts
4.0
25 reviews
10,000
lots/year
LondonEst. 1666Online bidding
Tips for Books & Manuscripts Auctions
- 01Check for completeness — missing plates, maps, or appendices dramatically reduce value even if the text block is perfect
- 02Dust jackets on 20th-century firsts can account for 80%+ of value — a fine jacket on a good book transforms the price
- 03Provenance matters enormously — a bookplate from a notable collection or author inscription multiplies value