Collection of Librairie Orientale Hrant Samuelian set to be auctioned off in Paris

An emergency effort is underway to preserve the collection of the Librairie Orientale Hrant Samuelian, which is set to be auctioned off in Paris on June 11 2025, the International Association of Armenian Librarians and Archivists (IAALA) reports.

“Founded in 1930 by Hrant Samuelian, Librairie Orientale was, before its closing, the longest continuously functioning Armenian bookstore in the world, as well as one of the cultural gems of the Armenian diaspora. Its astonishing collection of rare books and manuscripts holds tremendous value for Armenian culture and history.

Unfortunately, this collection is being put up for auction, and it is expected to be broken up and scattered around the world. The International Association of Armenian Librarians and Archivists (IAALA) is making an emergency call to institutions or individuals who can keep this collection together. At a time when Armenian culture is under attack, we must protect the documentary evidence of our history. Link to auction,” the statement reads.