Literature
Stargazers Saviours - Science Fiction Rare Books
Steven Ericson reveals that the whole universe of science fiction lies in the original pulp magazines.
Bookshop Blog
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LiteratureMillicent Fawcett inspires the first female statue in Parliament Square
To mark the centenary of women's suffrage in Britain the first statue of a woman has today been unveiled in London's Parliament Square. Splendidly rendered in bronze by sculptor Gillian Wearing, Millicent Fawcett now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the likes of Sir...
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LiteratureJohn Mortimer - Paradise Postponed
In honour of the famous creator of Rumpole of the Bailey, born on this day in 1923, we republish in full for the first time the interview with Sir John Mortimer, CBE, QC, from the Rare Book Review magazine. The article was originally published in 2004, five years before the author's death. -
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LiteratureManuscripts Don't Burn
Writers were to varying extents bound to the Marxist-Leninist cause throughout the Soviet period, overseen by the stifling Union of Soviet Writers and Goskomizdat (State Committee for Publishing Houses, Printing Plants, and the Book Trade). -
Total Eclipse of the Sun 1878
The solar eclipse on the 21 August 2017 was the first of its kind over the United States of America for almost 100 years and a major astronomic event that sparked world-wide interest. -
TravelRetracing the Footsteps of 19th Century Explorers in Africa
Guest Blog Post by Entomologist Hitoshi Takano The great natural history museum collections have at their foundation, specimens collected by 19th century explorers. To look through these collections is to travel back in time to the heyday of exploration; specimens...
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TravelPhotography: Eternal cities
Incredible photos from over 100 years ago show how much our lives have changed. It is interesting that spectacular advancements have been made in technology, science and architecture but many of our landmarks remain the same, despite the infringing traffic....
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TravelThe Beauty of Maps
A voyage around the history of cartography takes in sea monsters, newly charted territories and allegorical figures from myth & legend, designed for accuracy but often conveying a surprising beauty. It’s a journey that has delighted many collectors over centuries, and even in these days of Google Earth and SatNav, or maybe because of such things, people continue to marvel at antique maps. -
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TravelTurkish Delight: the Ottoman World Observed
Coinciding with the launch of our Ottoman World catalogue, we asked Dr Philip Mansel, a fellow of the Institute of Historical Research, to give a talk at our bookshop. On the evening of 22 February the celebrated author brought to life the wonders of the Ottoman Empire, as seen through the eyes of European travellers, recorded in literature and art.
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GuidesTopical Books to Read (and Collect) in 2017
VisitEngland has declared 2017 the 'Year of Literary Heroes'. See below for the titles and authors charting some of the year's most significant literary moments. All books featured are one-off editions available to purchase through Shapero Rare Books. -
TravelThe Greatest Polar Exploration Adventure
Lines in the Ice: Marginalia My recent talk at Shapero Rare Books gave me the opportunity to spend some time browsing catalogues and, most excitingly, shelves while I waited for guests to arrive. Rare book dealers like Shapero inhabit the...
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TravelImperial Mechanisms
The rapid acceleration of China's economy - still on course to overtake the U.S. by 2028 - has prompted us to look back at the initial impressions made of China, and its workforce, when first engaged by English traders. The...
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TravelMutiny! The Court-Martial Documents of the Bounty Mutineers
On 28 April 1789, disaffected crewmen took control of the HMS Bounty and cast the captain, Captain Bligh and 18 loyalists adrift in the Pacific Ocean. There had been a mutiny. Miraculously, they managed to survive and navigate 4000 miles...
