32 Saint George Street, Mayfair, London, W1S 2EA | +44 20 7493 0876
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Press
  • Contact
  • Log In
Shapero Rare Books Shapero Rare Books
  • 0
Menu
  • THE BOOKSHOP
    • Close
      • Travel
        • Close
          • Africa
            • Close
              • East Africa
              • West Africa
              • North Africa
              • South Africa
            • Close
          • The Americas
          • Central & South America
          • Australia, Pacific & Voyages
          • British Isles
          • Central Asia
          • China & Mongolia
          • Southeast Asia
          • Europe
          • Western Europe
          • Greece, Turkey & the Ottoman Empire
          • Hakluyt Society, Periodicals & Reference
          • The Holy Land, Syria & Arabia
          • Indian Subcontinent
          • Japan & Korea
          • London
          • Mountaineering
          • Polar Exploration
            • Close
              • Antarctica
              • Arctic
            • Close
          • Maritime & Military
          • Russia & Eastern Europe
        • Close
      • Literature & History
        • Close
          • Browse Popular Authors & Illustrators
          • Pre 1900 Literature
          • Modern First Editions
          • Children’s
          • Illustrated Literature
          • Russian Illustrated
          • Economics & Social Sciences
          • History & Politics
            • Close
              • History
              • Politics
            • Close
          • Private Press & Fine Printing
            • Close
              • Fine Printing & Illustrated
              • Private Press
            • Close
          • Russian Literature
          • Early English & Continental Printing
            • Close
              • Early presses & classics
              • Religion
            • Close
        • Close
      • Natural History
        • Close
          • Animals & Fish
          • Birds & Ornithology
          • Butterflies & Insects
          • Flowers & Botanical
          • Shells & Fossils
        • Close
      • Guidebooks
        • Close
          • Baedeker’s – Long before mobile travel apps there was Baedekers Guidebooks, indispensable for helping thousands of well-to-do travellers brave the perils of abroad. Designed to be carried around in a pocket and available for handy reference by the tourist while walking about the streets of a foreign city, or hiking up a mountain, they were small, robust and easy to carry.
            • Close
              • English
              • French
              • German
            • Close
          • Murray
            • Close
              • Europe incl. UK
              • Far East
              • India
            • Close
          • Other Guides
            • Close
              • Africa
              • Central America & The Caribbean
              • Central Asia
              • Europe incl. UK
              • Far East
              • Indian Subcontinent
              • Middle East
              • Russia & Eastern Europe
              • South America
            • Close
        • Close
      • Judaica
        • Close
          • Antisemitism
          • Jewish Housekeeping
          • Jewish Literature & Philosophy
          • Jewish Religion & Festivals
          • Judaica & Fine Art
          • Zionism & Israel
        • Close
      • Russian & Eastern European
        • Close
          • Avant-Garde
          • Russian History
          • Human Sciences (Russia)
          • Russian Literature
          • Russian Illustrated
          • Russian Theatre & Ballet
          • Russian Travel
        • Close
      • The Arts
        • Close
          • Architecture & Gardens
          • Art & Decoration
          • Curiosa
          • Fashion
          • Music & Drama
        • Close
      • Science & Medicine
        • Close
          • Science
          • Medicine
        • Close
      • Sports & Pastimes
        • Close
          • Ball Games
          • Gastronomy
          • Horse Racing, Dressage & Coaching
          • Hunting, Shooting & Fishing
          • Motoring
          • Russian Theatre & Ballet
        • Close
    • Close
  • The Gallery
    • Close
      • Modern & Contemporary Art
      • Prints & Originals
      • Photography
      • The Map Room
    • Close
  • Fairs & Events
    • Close
      • Art & Antique Fairs
      • Book Fairs
      • Gallery Events
      • Bookshop Events
    • Close
  • Resources
    • Close
      • ‘Rare Book Review’
      • The ‘Taurus’ Collection
      • ABC for Book Collectors
    • Close
  • Catalogues
    Category Archives

    Literature & History

  • All
  • Children's Books
  • An Interview With Quentin Blake

    by Oliver Bayliss on October 16, 2019

    Ahead of Quentin Blake’s exhibition of new works here at Shapero HQ, our Digital Content Manager, Oliver Bayliss was lucky enough to interview the legendary illustrator.

    Continue Reading
  • Writers and Spies On Her Majesty’s Secret Service: Writers and Spies

    by Oliver Bayliss on October 10, 2019

    Writers and spies – exploring all things cloak and typewriter by delving into the murky world of rare books written by writers who were spies, the Great Game and spy fiction in general.

    Continue Reading
  • Banned Books Week 2019 Banned Books: The Freedom to Read

    by Oliver Bayliss on September 24, 2019

    Celebrating the freedom to read, Banned Books Week has become a focal point in the literary year here at Shapero Rare Books. Here we look at first editions of some of the most important books that have ever been banned, burned, censored or abridged.

    Continue Reading
  • Can You Guess the Rare Book Titles in Emoji?

    by Oliver Bayliss on July 23, 2019
    All of these Rare Books in emoji can currently be found on the shelves at here at Shapero HQ, and whilst some emojis may literally spell out the Rare Book title, others are a little more abstract to keep you on your toes… Click on the images to reveal the books - good luck! Continue Reading
  • Ralph Steadman Ralph Steadman – a brush with surrealism

    by Rare Book Review on May 21, 2019
    ITEM 9 OF 9 IN THE CATALOGUE Rare Book Review archive
    Continue Reading
  • Cosway Binding Angling Party Cosway Bindings – Search for a Star

    by Rare Book Review on May 7, 2019
    ITEM 7 OF 9 IN THE CATALOGUE Rare Book Review archive

    More than 100 years after their invention, this Rare Book Review article finds true Cosway Bindings are just as desirable but even harder to track down…

    Continue Reading
  • Stargazers Saviours – Science Fiction Rare Books

    by Rare Book Review on May 5, 2019
    ITEM 6 OF 9 IN THE CATALOGUE Rare Book Review archive

    Rare Book Review reveals that the whole universe of science fiction lies in the original pulp magazines, and consider the market for science fiction…

    Continue Reading
  • Rare Books & Works on Paper: A Celebration of Women Writers and Artists

    by Oliver Bayliss on March 8, 2019

    As the publishing & art world finally become more gender inclusive, we celebrate some of the famous women writers and artists who have enriched both.

    Continue Reading
  • Banned Books

    by Oliver Bayliss on October 9, 2018

    Books have been banned for a variety of reasons over the centuries, ranging from racism, anti-religious sentiment, immorality, indecency, perceived drug advocacy or simply the ‘portrayal of exclusively middle class rabbits’…

    Continue Reading
  • Iris Murdoch – House of leaves

    by Rare Book Review on July 15, 2018
    ITEM 1 OF 9 IN THE CATALOGUE Rare Book Review archive

    Author Dame Iris Murdoch was born on this day in 1919, we delved back into the Rare Book Review archives and retrieved this article, originally published in July 2003…

    Continue Reading
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • →

Instagram @SHAPERORAREBOOKS

shaperorarebooks


Instagram post 2151531009198499831_1524183049
This is the first edition of ‘Casino Royale’ – Ian Fleming’s first James Bond novel!⁠
⁠
With the publication of his blog post on #WritersAndSpies out this week, our Digital Content Manager @oliverjbayliss has chosen this as his #BookOfTheWeek⁠
⁠
'At the impressionable age of seven I discovered that my home in sleepy Hampshire was once the childhood home of Guy Burgess, one of the infamous Cambridge Spies! This sparked a lifelong, and probably rather unhealthy, fascination with all things cloak and dagger (I mean it's pretty normal to pretend you're a KGB spy infiltrating you're school at 7 isn't it?...)!⁠
⁠
For spy books you can't really get better than Bond, and it really doesn't get better than the all too rare first edition of his first novel!⁠
⁠
As the tale goes, the inspiration for Bond came from Fleming’s time in Naval Intelligence during WW2. Whilst playing a baccarat game in Lisbon, the author's alleged to have whispered to his friend ‘just suppose these fellows were German agents—what a coup it would be if we cleaned them out entirely!'⁠
⁠
➡️ Link in bio⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
 #spy #spybooks #cloakanddagger #007 #jamesbond #casinoroyale #ianfleming #bookdesign #bookart #coverlove #rarebook #rarebooks #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookporn #bibliophile #beautifulbooks #oldbooks #bookshop #bookcollecting #collectingbooks #booklove #bookphotography #bookenvy #shapero

Instagram post 2150919675415642263_1524183049
Secret agents infiltrating a communist devil-worshiping cult.... it must be #DennisWheatley the second author to be featured in our #WritersAndSpies 🕵️‍♂️ series!⁠
⁠
As a bit of #booktrivia for you #bookstagrammers out there, the jacket was designed by Sax, a prolific book artist of the 20th century.... however don't google 'Sax book art' as our social media man has just discovered...⁠ ➡️ link in bio ⁠
⁠
#occult #occultism #spooky #satanic #bookstagram #booknerd #bookworm #horror #spookishbookish #spookybooks #spinetingling #spooktober #spookyseason #bookart #bookdesign #coverlove #creepybooks #spookathon #rarebooks #bookcollecting #collectingbooks #bookenvy #covertart #bookillustration

Instagram post 2150315713709292851_1524183049
Twain’s adage ‘write what you know’ could have been written for #GrahamGreene, the subject of the first post in our series #WritersAndSpies⁠ 🕵️‍♂️ ⁠
His established career as a writer, and penchant for travel, made Greene the perfect candidate for MI6. ⁠
⁠
Recruited in 1941, he monitored the Vichy forces in Sierra Leone, searching ships for smuggled diamonds and documents. Later under the ruse of book research, he travelled widely across China and the USSR, observing and reporting. He also worked under the famous Soviet mole Kim Philby, even developing a friendship with the traitorous spy.⁠
⁠
The Philby connection also gave Greene a rather dubious honour: whilst spying for MI6, he was himself the subject of investigation by the FBI due to his links with the Cambridge Spy Ring. With wonderful irony, whilst the author was under investigation, the CIA were helping to turn one of his novels into a film…..⁠
⁠
📸 The first edition of Graham Greene's 'England Made Me' 1935 - Link in bio⁠
⁠
#spy #spying #espionage #spybooks #spyfiction #rarebooks #firstedition #booktrivia #bookhistory #literaryhistory #bookstagram #booklove #coverlove #bookdesign #youngmancarter #coolbooks #beautifulbooks #booknerdigans #bookcover #literature #bookcollection #bookstagramer #bookcollecting #bookenvy #bookworm #bibliophile #booksofinstagram #bookgram

Instagram post 2149526138163352387_1524183049
Thank you to everyone who came to our stand at @friezeartfair this year!

#friezeweek #friezemasters #art #contemporaryart #modernart #artfair #andywarhol #roylichtenstein #rarebooks #bookstagram #artforsale



Follow on Instagram


This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: API requests are being delayed for this account. New posts will not be retrieved.

There may be an issue with the Instagram Access Token that you are using. Your server might also be unable to connect to Instagram at this time.

Catch our Monthly News

Online Shop FAQ

Our Guarantee |  Shipping | Terms & Conditions | Refunds  | Privacy Policy

Online Payment Options:

In-store Payment Options:

ALL major Credit Cards, Cash, Direct Credit & Bankers Draft

Contact Details

+44 (0)20 7493 0876
rarebooks@shapero.com

Opening Hours

Monday to Friday: 9.30am to 6pm
Saturday: 11am to 5pm

 

Associations

Antiquarian Booksellers Association
International League of Antiquarian Booksellers
Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association
LAPADA
  • Home
  • The Bookshop
  • The Gallery
  • Catalogues
  • Fair & Events
© 2018, Shapero Rare Books Ltd, London, UK Registered Co. No: 06720898
Menu
  • THE BOOKSHOP
    • Close
      • Travel
        • Close
          • Africa
            • Close
              • East Africa
              • West Africa
              • North Africa
              • South Africa
            • Close
          • The Americas
          • Central & South America
          • Australia, Pacific & Voyages
          • British Isles
          • Central Asia
          • China & Mongolia
          • Southeast Asia
          • Europe
          • Western Europe
          • Greece, Turkey & the Ottoman Empire
          • Hakluyt Society, Periodicals & Reference
          • The Holy Land, Syria & Arabia
          • Indian Subcontinent
          • Japan & Korea
          • London
          • Mountaineering
          • Polar Exploration
            • Close
              • Antarctica
              • Arctic
            • Close
          • Maritime & Military
          • Russia & Eastern Europe
        • Close
      • Literature & History
        • Close
          • Browse Popular Authors & Illustrators
          • Pre 1900 Literature
          • Modern First Editions
          • Children’s
          • Illustrated Literature
          • Russian Illustrated
          • Economics & Social Sciences
          • History & Politics
            • Close
              • History
              • Politics
            • Close
          • Private Press & Fine Printing
            • Close
              • Fine Printing & Illustrated
              • Private Press
            • Close
          • Russian Literature
          • Early English & Continental Printing
            • Close
              • Early presses & classics
              • Religion
            • Close
        • Close
      • Natural History
        • Close
          • Animals & Fish
          • Birds & Ornithology
          • Butterflies & Insects
          • Flowers & Botanical
          • Shells & Fossils
        • Close
      • Guidebooks
        • Close
          • Baedeker’s – Long before mobile travel apps there was Baedekers Guidebooks, indispensable for helping thousands of well-to-do travellers brave the perils of abroad. Designed to be carried around in a pocket and available for handy reference by the tourist while walking about the streets of a foreign city, or hiking up a mountain, they were small, robust and easy to carry.
            • Close
              • English
              • French
              • German
            • Close
          • Murray
            • Close
              • Europe incl. UK
              • Far East
              • India
            • Close
          • Other Guides
            • Close
              • Africa
              • Central America & The Caribbean
              • Central Asia
              • Europe incl. UK
              • Far East
              • Indian Subcontinent
              • Middle East
              • Russia & Eastern Europe
              • South America
            • Close
        • Close
      • Judaica
        • Close
          • Antisemitism
          • Jewish Housekeeping
          • Jewish Literature & Philosophy
          • Jewish Religion & Festivals
          • Judaica & Fine Art
          • Zionism & Israel
        • Close
      • Russian & Eastern European
        • Close
          • Avant-Garde
          • Russian History
          • Human Sciences (Russia)
          • Russian Literature
          • Russian Illustrated
          • Russian Theatre & Ballet
          • Russian Travel
        • Close
      • The Arts
        • Close
          • Architecture & Gardens
          • Art & Decoration
          • Curiosa
          • Fashion
          • Music & Drama
        • Close
      • Science & Medicine
        • Close
          • Science
          • Medicine
        • Close
      • Sports & Pastimes
        • Close
          • Ball Games
          • Gastronomy
          • Horse Racing, Dressage & Coaching
          • Hunting, Shooting & Fishing
          • Motoring
          • Russian Theatre & Ballet
        • Close
    • Close
  • The Gallery
    • Close
      • Modern & Contemporary Art
      • Prints & Originals
      • Photography
      • The Map Room
    • Close
  • Fairs & Events
    • Close
      • Art & Antique Fairs
      • Book Fairs
      • Gallery Events
      • Bookshop Events
    • Close
  • Resources
    • Close
      • ‘Rare Book Review’
      • The ‘Taurus’ Collection
      • ABC for Book Collectors
    • Close
  • Catalogues
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Press
  • Contact
  • Log In

Associations

Antiquarian Booksellers Association
International League of Antiquarian Booksellers
Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association
LAPADA

Basket

What are you looking for?