A century of quality and experience

The book and art antiquarian August Laube is now run by the third generation and builds on a long tradition that focuses on the quality and authenticity of the works. The premises on Kirchgasse in Zurich are open to customers at any time during the week from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Founded in 1922

In 1922 August Laube sen. (1889-1983), barely 24 years old, founded the book and art antiquarian August Laube on the Torgasse in Zurich. He received his education with C. Lang and H. Eisemann in Zurich and thanks to his acquired relationships with the leading antiquarians of the time, he was soon successful. By the end of the 1920s, the house was already a well-known address for collectors and scientists. His areas of interest were the beautiful books, German and French literature, the Swiss graphics and of course autographs of poets and musicians. He helped to build up the Beethoven collection of H.C. Bodmer, now in Bonn, and had lively contact with Stephan Zweig, of whose collection parts are now in the British Museum.

In the tins and forties he held regular auctions with his Swiss colleagues W. Kündig, H. Schumann and A. Klipstein, in which he auctioned the beautiful collections of Ulli, Wessner, Winterthur and Sully Castle. Even before the war, he was able to dissolve several larger libraries and collections, such as those of Empress Marie Louise and the Dukes of Leuteberg.

Second generation

In 1950 August Laube Jr. (1927-1989) joined the company and this fruitful period lasted more than 30 years. From 1951 to 1970, the house held several important auctions that helped stimulate post-war trade (Bibilothek May, Icon Collection Savitch, Collection "B", Cérenville and the so-called "Bordeaux" collection). In addition, August Laube Jr. expanded the range to include the trade in old master graphics with a focus on Albrecht Dürer and Rembrandt and the early woodcut books. Gradually he expanded his territory with the Impressionists and Expressionism until the early twentieth century. At 1, 96 m, he was known as the "greatest art dealer", but not only did his stature earn him a lot of recognition and respect, but also his in-depth knowledge of graphics and books earned him an excellent international reputation. His early death in 1989 passed the business to his daughters Brigitta Laube and Daniela Laube, who continued to do so in his own way.

Third generation

In 2004 Daniela Laube left the business and her sister Brigitta Laube took over the company alone. The company continues to operate nationally and internationally in all areas and regularly publishes catalogues for Swiss graphics and drawings, a representative catalogue with all five areas in which the company operates.
Already during her school years Brigitta Laube worked in her spare time for the antiquarian and was allowed to accompany her father on some trips. After an apprenticeship in art history in London, she was given the opportunity to revisit the largely unedited museum collection at the Musée des Beaux-Arts Caen. In 1983/84 she worked at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston under the well-known Goya expert Eleonore Sayre. The company has been under the management of Brigitta Laube for more than 10 years and its customers include the world's leading museums, as well as many private collectors at home and abroad.
August Laube is one of the founding members of the Vebuku (Swiss League of Antiquarian Book and Printing Dealers) and a
member of the International League of Antiquarian Books on its board brigitta Laube. After 46 years, the business moved to Kirchgasse 32 in Zurich at Trittligasse in 2018.