Fascinated by old books since childhood, Jacques Benelli was 12 year old when he bought, with his pocket money, his first book : an early 17th century “Quinzaine de Pâques” - the liturgical Office for the Holy week and Easter in the Roman rite - in full morocco with engravings. Since then, his nascent passion for rare books has turned into one of a lifetime.

Jacques Benelli opened his bookshop in 1977 which is located in the heart of the mythic “quartier Latin” in Paris.

 

To this day, Jacques Benelli warmly welcomes both bibliophiles and the curious alike into its inimitable atmosphere of old Cuban cigars and old books.

 

Specialized in printed books from the 16th - 19th centuries,  Jacques Benelli's field of expertise also extends to annotated books and handwritten documents.

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Working with French and international institutions and universities, Jacques Benelli also collaborates as an expert with auction houses. Since 1988, he has also been called to be an expert witness at the Paris Court of Appeal.