Gonnelli Casa d'Aste

In April 1880, Luigi Gonnelli held his first book auction, consisting of 10,000 volumes belonging to philologist Giuseppe Manuzzi, a member of the Accademia della Crusca. The sale lasted twelve consecutive days, inaugurating a business that, alongside the bookstore, offered its customers not only the opportunity to purchase collectibles at affordable prices but also to offer them for public sale at auction.

The catalog for that sale attests to its status as the oldest Italian auction house.

Founded in Florence in 1875, Gonnelli is one of the oldest bookshops, auction house and art gallery proudly owned by the same family for four generations.

Gonnelli is also the oldest auction house in Italy, having launched this parallel business to the bookshop in 1880 with a major book auction.

Originally a small shop selling used and antique books, over a century and a half of existence, it has survived two world wars, a devastating flood, and numerous economic crises, continually renewing itself without betraying its vocation.

Today, as it celebrates 150 years of business, Gonnelli remains a national and international reference point for collectors of rare books, manuscripts, prints, drawings, and old, modern, and contemporary paintings, combining centuries-old tradition with entrepreneurial innovation.