The Munich auction house F. Zisska & R. Kistner – international specialists in rare antiquarian books and prints – was founded in 1983. In 2006, the company’s founding directors Friedrich Zisska and Rolf Kistner retired and the company changed hands. Wolfgang Lacher, Herbert Schauer and Friedrich Zisska rebuilt the company in January 2007 under a new name, Zisska, Schauer & Co. KG. On August 6th 2014 Herbert Schauer left the Company, which was on the same date reopened by Friedrich Zisska and Wolfgang Lacher as Zisska & Lacher Buch- und Kunstauktionshaus GmbH & Co. KG. The company will continue to hold specialist auction sales of antiquarian books and prints on a biannual basis in May and November.

As antiquarian book experts, the Zisska & Lacher fields of specialization cover all the core areas – manuscripts; autograph letters and documents; incunabula; early woodcut books; medieval illuminated manuscripts; theology; natural history; bibliography; art history; history; literature; antique maps and atlases; travel; and topographical and decorative prints. The company also specializes in rare bibliophile items and modern first editions and has handled sales of important private collections and libraries. Special catalogues are usually prepared for important single auctions. The company places major emphasis on scholarly attention to detail and high standards of expertise in cataloguing rare antiquarian items. Each auction is accompanied by a comprehensive, fully illustrated catalogue containing detailed descriptions of the items offered for sale. These catalogues are characterized by their in-depth knowledge and bibliographic accuracy. They are compiled and researched by a team of experts who are able to draw on the resources of the company’s extensive reference library and when necessary, the expertise of independent specialists.