Antique books on Bordeaux and Aquitaine: catalogue and valuation

Bordeaux unites three traditions that fuel the rare book market: an intellectual history marked by Montaigne and Montesquieu, a vineyard whose technical and commercial literature is unique in the world, and a past as a major Atlantic port.

Collectors in the region, like international wine buyers, converge on this collection.

Our selection of rare books on Bordeaux

Voir tous les ouvrages disponibles sur Bordeaux dans le catalogue

Montaigne, Montesquieu and Bordeaux printing

Montaigne’s Essais was published in Bordeaux in 1580, printed by Simon Millanges. A century and a half later, Montesquieu, president of the Bordeaux parliament, wrote The Spirit of the Laws there. This legacy has led to a continuous editorial output: successive editions, commentaries, academic works, and publications by the Société des Bibliophiles de Guyenne.

Vineyard literature

This is Bordeaux’s quintessential specialty—and a market that extends far beyond its borders.

• Cru classifications and guides: the 1855 classification and its subsequent editions, the works of Cocks and Féret, reprinted since 1850, the true bible of the Bordeaux vineyard.
• Treatises on viticulture and oenology, notably those published during the phylloxera crisis of the 1870s and 1880s.
• Illustrated château albums, featuring lithographs or photographs, often commissioned by the estates themselves.

The port and overseas trade

Bordeaux was a major colonial port, leaving behind a wealth of documentation: travel accounts to the Antilles and Africa, works on maritime trade, publications by chambers of commerce, maps, and atlases.

Do you own rare books on Bordeaux or a library to be appraised?
We provide a free appraisal based on photographs within 48 business hours and purchase libraries across France. Request a free appraisal

Appraisal and purchase of rare books in Bordeaux

We operate in Gironde and neighbouring departments, from Périgord to Landes.

1. Photographs of the shelves, followed by images of title pages for antiquarian volumes.
2. Response within 48 business hours with an estimated valuation range.
3. Free on-site visit for significant libraries.

A particular point of attention in this region: books on wine, including seemingly common 20th-century editions, may hold value far exceeding their appearance. Early editions of Cocks and Féret and château albums are sought after by international buyers. Have them examined before any appraisal.

Frequently asked questions

### Are old books on Bordeaux wine worth anything?Some yes, and far more than one might imagine. Early editions of Bordeaux et ses vins by Cocks and Féret, works related to the 1855 classification, and illustrated albums of châteaux interest collectors worldwide.### Do you travel to Dordogne or Landes?Yes, we cover the entire South-West for significant collections, with travel expenses covered by us. For a few volumes, appraisal based on photographs remains the quickest method.### How do I know if my copy of the Essays has value?It all depends on the edition. Early editions, particularly those prior to the 18th century, require examination of the title page, collation, and binding. Send us photographs, and we will provide a precise response.## To go further- [How to appraise an old book: the 7 criteria that determine value](/guides/estimer-livre-ancien/) - [I inherited an old library: what should I do?](/guides/bibliotheque-heritee/) - [Early books by Jules Verne: value guide](/auteur/jules-verne/) - [Browse our entire catalogue of old books](/notre-catalogue-de-livres-anciens/)

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