Spanos Rare Books-Bibliophilia

Spanos Rare Books Spanos Rare Books ("Spania Vivlia Spanos-"Σπάνια Βιβλία Σπανός in greek) is the name of the oldest antique bookstore operating continuously from 1929 for the last 81 years in Athens, Greece. It was established by John Spanos and his son Charalambos Spanos (1913-1967) at the center of Athens first at Psiry area (Agias Eleoussis str.7)and later on at its historical premises (at Hippocratous str.23). It has served as the greek bibliophiles and collectors meeting place and has provided, through the years, thousands of rare and old (mainly Greek) books and documents, to individuals, scholars and various private and public institutions, libraries and museums.(Some valueable items include the manuscripts of members of the Greek War of Independance (e.g. Makrigiannis Manuscripts) the Charta of Rigas Velestinlis, the Psahos Byzantine Music Library etc. Early on the Spanos Publication House had started focusing mainly on Greek History, Byzantine and Neo-hellenic Studies (Reprints and facsimiles in limited numbered copies e.g. Corpus Historiae Byzantinae in 35 vols, etc.) . In 1967 the Spanos House passed to sons John (1942-1973) and Costas Spanos (b.1945) who continued the bibliophile and publishing tradition. C. Spanos became the fist publisher (1967-1968) of the "Asterix" in Greek, editor since 1976 of "Bibliophilia" a special quarterly journal on books and was the first, in 1984, in Greece to establish regular rare books auctions at a permanent base. More than 100.000 titles were offered in more than a hundred auctions. For his contribuation to the preservation and availability of historical documents was awarded in 2006 by the "Diavazo" Special award.The Spanos Rare Books is located now days on Mavromihali str.7 in Athens.