Over 300 Rare Armenian Books and Manuscripts from the Oldest Diaspora Bookstore Up for Auction Today

Today, more than 300 rare Armenian books and manuscripts from the famous Samuelyan Oriental Library in Paris are being sold at auction. The Samuelyan Oriental Library, also known as Librairie Orientale, was founded in 1930 by Hrant Samuelyan. For many decades, it was the longest-running Armenian bookstore in the world. It was not only a bookstore but also a cultural center for the Armenian community in the diaspora.

The library held an amazing collection of rare and valuable Armenian books and manuscripts. These works represent an important part of Armenian heritage, helping preserve the language, traditions, and history of the Armenian people.

Hrant Samuelyan led the library until his death in 1977. After that, his children, Armen Samuelyan and Alice Aslanyan, continued to manage it until 2016, when the library closed its doors. Since then, the collection has remained a vital symbol of Armenian culture.

The auction today gives people a chance to own part of this unique collection. It also brings attention to the importance of preserving Armenian history and literature, especially for the Diaspora

The Samuelyan Oriental Library’s collection is a proud legacy for all Armenians, showing the strength and resilience of the Armenian spirit through books and knowledge.

If you would like to participate in the auction, the details can be found here.

—

Support independent reporting from the region by subscribing to The Armenian Report. Our team is funded solely by readers like you.