Free appraisal of antiquarian books — AI + human proofreading
You have inherited an old book or found a rare volume and would like to know its value? **Send 3 to 5 photos via the form below**: our bibliophile artificial intelligence (Mistral Pixtral, hosted in France) analyses the book, cross-references dozens of sources (BnF, eBay, Vialibri, Artprice) and our expert bookseller validates the estimate before sending it. Response within 24 to 48 hours, free of charge.How it works in 4 steps1. **Photograph your book** — cover, title page, copyright/colophon page, edges, any defects. 3 to 5 photos are sufficient.
2. **Fill out the form** in under a minute (name, email, city, photos).
3. **Our AI analyses** the images: title, author, publisher, date, edition, physical condition. It compares this with dozens of recent comparable sales.
4. **An expert bookseller reviews** the results, adjusts if necessary, and sends you an email with an estimated price range along with 5 clickable comparable sales.Why our estimate is different- **Radical transparency** — we cite all our sources (eBay, Drouot via Artprice, Vialibri, BnF).
- **French AI first** — Mistral Pixtral (Paris) processes your photos first. Fallback to Anthropic or Google Vertex EU only under standard contractual clauses.
- **Systematic human review** — no estimate is sent without validation by a bookseller.
- **Data protection** — hosting in France (o2switch), automatic deletion after 90 days, GDPR compliant.
- **No obligation** — the service is free; you are free to refuse any potential purchase offer.Which books can we estimate?We estimate all old and collectible books: **incunabula and books from the 16th–18th centuries**, 19th–20th century first editions, illustrated books, fine bindings, **antique maps**, children’s books (Hetzel, Albums du Père Castor), scientific works, colonial and Pacific publications, modern manuscripts, author inscriptions. For medieval manuscripts and valuable incunabula, we recommend a physical appraisal.Estimation form Frequently asked questions
Free AI book estimation
Receive an AI-generated indicative valuation within 24-48h, reviewed by an expert bookseller.
Is the appraisal a certified expert assessment?
No. This is an indicative market value estimate for informational purposes only. A certified appraisal under French law no. 2011-850 requires a physical examination by an approved expert (CNE, SLAM, ILAB, court-appointed auctioneer). Our estimate provides a realistic range to guide you.
How long does it take to receive the estimate?
Within 24 to 48 business hours in most cases. The AI processes your request within minutes, but we always await manual validation by a bookseller before sending.
Are my photos retained?
Yes, temporarily, on our servers in France (o2switch). They are automatically deleted after 90 days. You may request early deletion by emailing [email protected].
Am I committed to selling the book to you?
Absolutely not. The service is free and without obligation. If the estimate interests you, we can arrange a physical appraisal appointment and a potential purchase offer—which you are free to refuse, compare with other opinions (auctioneers, other booksellers), or sell yourself through your preferred channel.
Can the AI be wrong?
Yes, like any AI, it may make identification errors (reprint vs. original edition, author attribution, etc.). This is precisely why we apply systematic human review before sending any estimate. The lessons from the Aristophil case (verdict 11 December 2025) remind us that multiple opinions should always be sought before any sale.
What information should I include in my message?
Any useful context: provenance (inheritance, flea market purchase, succession), special features (inscription, ex-libris, restored binding), visible defects, or any gaps. The more context we have, the more accurate the estimate.