From early printed works, medieval and early modern manuscripts, to modern first editions of fiction, from a Tyndale Bible to Schedel’s Nuremberg Chronicle, Shakespeare to Jane Austen, James Joyce to J.K Rowling and everything in between.

The ‘Books, Manuscripts and Works on Paper’ department handles anything that may fall into the following broad categories: maps, travel and voyages, natural history, science and medicine, art and architecture, children’s books and illustrated books, original illustrative art, engravings, continental literature, first editions, manuscripts, signed and inscribed books, photograph albums, foreign literature, topography, private press, limited editions, early caricature, fine bindings, prints and works on paper. 

Alongside its regular sales, the department will hold additional single owner sales such as the Collection of the late Hans Fellner (1925-96); the Henry Blofeld sale and books from the Library of Giancarlo Beltrame (1925-2011), and, most recently, Paul Gallico (1897-1976). 

Many of our items have successfully achieved and exceed their market-based estimates. Examples of these will include, most recent successes; John Speed A Prospect of the most famous Parts of the World…. together with The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine, selling for £33,750; Jan Huygen van Linschoten, Voyasie, ofte Schip-vaert, van by Noorden om langes Noorwegen de Noordt-Caep, Laplandt, Vinlandt, Ruslandt, de Witte Zee etc, selling for £55,000 and John Buckland-Wright: Golden Cockerel Press. Keats. Endymion with original artwork, 1947, selling for £60,000, to name but a few.