The Saad Truth with Dr. Saad Heribert Tenschert - World's Leading Dealer of Rare and Antiquarian Books (The Saad Truth with Dr. Saad_981)
Apr 6, 2026
Heribert Tenschert, a leading dealer and collector of rare and antiquarian books with decades of experience preserving manuscripts and beautiful bindings. He recounts sourcing treasures like Kafka’s manuscript, choosing pieces by aesthetic taste and condition. Conversations cover restoration and binding, evaluating value and investment, handling practices, building collections and foundations, and advice for new collectors.
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Kafka Manuscript Purchase And Price Contrast
- In 1988 Heribert bought Franz Kafka's manuscript of The Trial after about 11 years in the trade, by then already owning some 200–250 medieval manuscripts.
- He contrasts common first editions (a jacketless Trial ~$2,500–$3,000) with rarer jacketed copies that sold for over $100,000.
How Top Dealers Source Rare Books
- Heribert built a global sourcing network starting from auctions (Sotheby's, Christie's) and later relying on colleagues and private collectors to find unseen treasures.
- His inventory spans ~25,000 top books and another ~250,000 lesser volumes, enabling quick fulfillment for most requests.
Value Books By Condition Not Just Text
- Prioritize condition and original state when valuing rare books; identical texts vary wildly by preservation and binding.
- A well-preserved original binding can multiply value tenfold versus a rebound or well-read copy.
