Arenberg Auctions

About Arenberg Auctions

Arenberg Auctions is a Brussels auction house that specialises in old and rare books, manuscripts, drawings, prints, atlases, maps and photographs. It describes itself as the leading Belgian auction house in this field. Its clients include private collectors, dealers, libraries and museums.

The house is on Rue aux Laines (Wolstraat) in the Sablon area, next to the Egmont Palace, which once belonged to the Arenberg family and gives the house its name.

History

Arenberg Auctions was formed on 1 January 2018 by the merger of two established Belgian book auction houses, Henri Godts and The Romantic Agony. Since then, the house says, it has grown into an international player with a strong reputation among collectors and the trade. Henri Godts is the house's expert-manager.

What Arenberg Auctions sells

Arenberg's live sales focus on works on paper and printed books. Its main fields are:

• Old and rare printed books, including travel accounts and illustrated editions
• Manuscripts
• Atlases and maps
• Old Master and modern prints and drawings
• Photographs
• Modern illustrated books and comics

The October 2026 sale shows the range. It included James Bruce's Voyage aux sources du Nil, Johan Nieuhof's account of the Dutch embassy to China, Antonius Sanderus's description of Flanders, Rumphius's D'Amboinsche rariteitkamer, a Michel Tournier title illustrated with original engravings, and Tintin albums by Hergé. Estimates ran from about €100 to several thousand euros, so the sales suit both new and advanced collectors.

Besides auctions, Arenberg offers inventories and valuations of collections for inheritance, division among heirs and insurance. It also arranges private sales between parties and advises on building, buying, selling and conserving a collection.

Selling at Arenberg Auctions

Arenberg's experts give free, non-binding estimates of individual items or whole collections. These can take place at the Brussels office or at the owner's home by appointment, and requests can be sent by email or through the website form with photographs. Consigned items are listed one by one on a consignment form. From then on they are insured up to their estimate at the house's expense.

Arenberg publishes its seller's commission:

• 15% of the hammer price, covering all costs including description, insurance, storage, photography and VAT
• 20% for lots sold at €250 or less
• No commission on unsold lots

Sellers are paid 6 to 10 weeks after the auction, once the buyer has paid.

Buying and bidding

The catalogue is published about four weeks before each sale on the Arenberg website and on Drouot and Invaluable. A printed version is available on request. Buyers can bid in the room, by bid form or through the website catalogue until 24 hours before the sale, or live online through Invaluable or Drouot Digital.

The buyer's premium is 28% of the hammer price, or 30% for bids placed through Drouot Digital or Invaluable. The artist's resale right is added for original art from a hammer price of €2,000 where the artist died less than 70 years ago. Bidding usually opens at about 80% of the low estimate and rises in steps of about 10%. Written bids of 50% or less of the low estimate are not accepted.

Location and viewing

Arenberg Auctions is at Wolstraat 19/2, 1000 Brussels, about fifteen minutes' walk from Brussels-Central station, with underground parking beneath Place Poelaert. The office is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00 or by appointment, and public viewing days are held before each auction.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Arenberg Auctions specialise in?

Arenberg specialises in old and rare books, manuscripts, atlases, maps, prints, drawings and photographs. It was formed in 2018 by the merger of Henri Godts and The Romantic Agony.

What does it cost to sell at Arenberg Auctions?

The commission is 15% of the hammer price, covering all costs, or 20% for lots sold at €250 or less. Unsold lots are not charged.

Can I bid online at Arenberg Auctions?

Yes. You can bid live through Invaluable or Drouot Digital, where the premium is 30% instead of the standard 28%. You can also leave bids in the website catalogue until 24 hours before the sale.