Rare Book Collecting
Are you thinking about delving into the world of rare book collecting? We have created a beginner’s guide to give you an overview of what you should know before you embark on your journey of becoming a rare book collector.
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Money, Money, Money
Two hundred and fifty years ago this year, a group of stock-jobbers, dealers and brokers, and market-makers got together to erect their own building on Sweeting’s Alley, which became known as The Stock Exchange. For a daily fee of 6d anyone could pitch up and make a bet, and so the art of speculation was born.
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TravelThe Northwest Frontier
Three Great Game RaritiesThey say that good things come in threes and for booksellers it doesn’t get much better than buying three 19th-century Calcutta-printed books on the Northwest Frontier.
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TravelThe Terra Nova Expedition
Through the eyes of Herbert PontingWhen we think of Captain Scott and his fateful last journey to the Antarctic, it is inevitable that we see him, his crew, and the continent itself, through the eyes of Herbert Ponting, the official photographer to the expedition.
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A tribute to Seamus Heaney
Today we pay tribute to the Nobel Prize-winning poet Seamus Heaney, whose life and work are being celebrated in a new BBC Radio 4 series Four Sides of Seamus Heaney, on the tenth anniversary of his death. -
TravelTravels along the Silk Routes
This route has its origins in the pre-Christian era as a means for China to export silk, precious stones, and other valuables, and later paper and gunpowder, thus changing the cultural and political history of Europe.
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TravelAurel Stein
An adventure in XinjiangThe Elgin Marbles, Benin Bronzes, Pharaonic remains, the list of British ‘souvenirs’ from overseas ventures is long and controversial. Amongst the most prolific of these Culture Vultures was Sir Marc Aurel Stein, a Hungarian-born explorer employed by the British in India.
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TravelAdventures in High Latitudes
Watching the Earth burn and flood as climate change takes hold, with all the devastation and misery it brings to every corner of the world, I was struck by the damage it causes to human imagination. -
LiteratureDiaghilev
When I first started working at Shapero I put together a catalogue on the Ballets Russes, a subject which is as interesting as it is strikingly visual, so all in all a joyful task to undertake. However, the more I delved into our stock the more I realised that one figure’s influence pervaded throughout. It was of course, the impresario who conceived of the troupe, Serge Diaghilev and the catalogue was therefore titled ‘The World of Diaghilev’. -
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Invisible Hands and Ghostly Spectators
June 2023 marks the 300th anniversary of the birth of Adam Smith (1723-1790), one of Britain’s greatest political economists and moral philosophers. Today his name conjures up images of merchantmen and free trade, but it took time for Smith’s ideas to gain the acceptance they now enjoy. -
TravelEpic Everest
Seventy years ago on the 29th May two men successfully reached the summit of Everest – Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. A remarkable and historic achievement, which caused a sensation around the world, particularly since Everest had been shadowed by tragedy from the many unsuccessful attempts in the past.
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Guides10 Rare and Valuable Children's Books
In the fast-paced world of modern literature, rare and valuable children's books often serve as portals to an enchanting past. These books carry historical significance, emotional nostalgia, and an undeniable allure for collectors and literary enthusiasts alike. -
GuidesRare Book Handling and Storage Guide
Delving into the world of rare books is like stepping into a realm of hidden wonders and historical treasures. As book enthusiasts, we all yearn to preserve these literary gems and keep their stories alive for generations to come. However, caring for rare books is an art that demands finesse and dedication.
