PROPOSALS & LAST ACQUISITIONS

History of the bookshop

The founder was Oreste Gozzini who in 1850 started the trading of both ancient and modern books in a shop located in Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square). In 1878 was in Via S. Egidio 10.
In 1887 it had a branch in Rome, 44, Sant’Ignazio street. After various transfers, the bookshop from 1928 to 1958 was in Via Ricasoli at No. 28.

In 1959 the business moved to the same Via Ricasoli at No. 49-103R where it is still located today, run by the heirs of the same family. The current owners (Francesco and Edoardo Chellini), father and son, are the fifth and sixth generation of the family that deals with this business.

The Bookshop is located in the XVII century rooms of Alfani Palace and it shows modern display windows, realized in 1966.

The interior is furnished with high wooden shelves, where one can find editions of any kind, with the exception of detective stories, thrillers, and school books.

Croce, Einaudi, Papini and Spadolini were buyers and frequenters of the bookshop.
“It is the realm for those looking for the oldest words, because it is one of the most famous and ancient antique bookshops in Italy. Every knowledge is gathered, but the sector of legal and economic works is unsurpassed”.

“To its immense paper heritage, Florence adds the precious pearl of the Gozzini Bookshop”.

(Millevolte Firenze. Edizione 1996-97)

      The Libreria Antiquaria Gozzini

The Antiquarian Bookshop is free entrance. It consists of 23 rooms, some of which have vaulted celings, arranged on three floors, surrounding a large garden. It hosts more than 150.000 volumes of value (over 2 km of books), ranging from XVth century works, up to XIXth century and contemporary literature.

Going through the rooms is like traveling through time. The bookshelves are crammed with thousands of tomes, each with its multicoloured title printed on the spines.

The great works, whether they be poems, romances, or artistic books of the Italian as well as of foreign literature, can be found next to treaties of Geography, Chemistry, manuals, essays, Architecture, Music, Science, Poetry, or whatelse can attract the attention of researchers, enquiring bibliophiles, or just book-lovers.

A specific sector is dedicated to Law, provided with an extensive catalogue.

A nice article dedicated to the bookstore appeared on the blog of Adelino Di Marino:

Libreria Gozzini di Firenze

A journey through art, history and science

Appreciating an ancient book is not the only emotion one can experience. As a matter of fact many editions of the same title are often available that one can relish, relating to the styles of the editors, the translators, or the writers.

Different styles, make-ups, bindings, colours, illustrations, printing methods… the pathway comes across not only the history of literature, but it mingles with the very history of printing.

If, while browsing through a book, it is possible to notice specific methods of make-up, presentation, and illustration of the story, then one can live many pathways of the same narration. The paper, the glue, the fabric, the twisted thread of the binding, the ink itself can be touched and perceived as a sole all-engaging emotional message together with the written story.

Proposals