Reiss and Sohn

Reiss and Sohn was established in 1970 in the City of Mainz by Godebert M. Reiss. Since then the firm is holding twice a year auction sales of rare books, manuscripts, antique maps and views. In 1991 Clemens Reiss joined the company and became associate in 1995.

In 1989 the firm moved to Königstein/Taunus, a city which is located in the heart of the Rhein-Main area, close to Frankfurt/Main, Mainz and Wiesbaden and thus in one of the centres of economic strength and growth in Germany. Königstein is easily reachable from Frankfurt airport and Frankfurt central station.

Since 1971 Reiss & Sohn is holding book and map auctions in spring and fall, devoted to the classical fields of antiquarian book trade: rare and valuable books, whole libraries and collections, illustrated books, atlases, manuscripts, incunabula, early printing, science, medicine, mathematics, botanical and zoological works, travel and geography, topography, literature, law and statesmanship, press books, rare maps and views of all parts of the world, decorative prints etc. Reiss & Sohn is regularly exhibiting at international antiquarian book fairs.

Special Auctions

Many important libraries have been extremely successfully auctioned off in Königstein, amongst which the scientific library of Alfred Schmidt, parts of the library of Nordkirchen, the library of the Counts of Schönborn-Buchheim, a large portion of the Princely Fürstenberg Library as well as the collection of the late industrialist and Bosch CEO Hans L. Merkle. Since October 2004 separate auctions of geography, travel, atlases, maps, views and decorative prints take place. In 2006, Reiss & Sohn auctioned a collection of 25 magnificent ornithological books, which sold for a total of Euro 1.2 million.

Art auctions

Since June 2000 we are holding auction sales of old and modern art. As head of our art department we could engage Jochen Granier who is known to many of you since more than 25 years as a competent auctioneer of works of art. Twice a year, we offer old masters, modern and contemporary art, graphic works and small sculptures.

Expertise and Service

Each auction sale is accompanied by a richly illustrated catalogue. An extensive reference library and a qualified, mostly long-standing staff is the basis to benefit our consignors and customers. We are always exerted to execute the consignment, cataloguing and shipping of your items as efficient and economic as possible.