Do you buy books?

Yes, we do. We are always interested in acquiring books of comparable quality to the ones we list on our website. We offer extremely competitive prices and pay promptly. We can pay in US dollars or euro, and, for higher value items, arrange collection anywhere in the world. We will not pay for books until we have examined them.

What do I need to tell you in the first instance?

We need to know:

• the author’s name
• the title exactly as it appears on the printed title-page (inside the book, not on the front cover)
• edition number if stated
• the place of publication, name of the publisher, and date if any
• the binding (leather, boards, cloth, dust jacket, etc.)
• any major defects (torn leaves, stains, broken joints, etc.)

Would you like to see a photograph?

Yes. But please keep individual pictures to 2MB or less.

Do you value books?

We regret we cannot offer valuations by email. We are happy to offer free valuation of books that are brought to our shop during our regular business hours. We cannot value large collections of books, though we are interested in buying them.

How can I tell if my book is a first edition?

Unfortunately there’s no simple way to tell, as publishers’ practices have varied so greatly over the centuries, but we’ll be happy to tell you.

Are there any books you definitely don’t want?

Overwhelmingly, we are looking for books in English. With a few exceptions, the following are of little collectable value, unless in spectacularly fine condition:

• Family bibles later than 1820
• Undated reprints of single novels of Walter Scott, Alexander Dumas or any Charles Dickens single title printed after 1870
• Late Victorian and early 20th-century reference books
• Books printed by Thomas Nelson, Collins Clear-Type Press, Associated Newspapers, Odhams Press or any other 20th-century newspaper publisher

Can you restore my book for me?

Yes. As well as our own Chelsea Bindery, we use a number of highly specialist bookbinders and restorers for restoration or rebinding. Prices for services by The Chelsea Bindery are available on the Chelsea Bindery section of this website. Other restorers will need to see the book before quoting.

Why haven’t you responded to my offer?

Due to the high volume of email we receive each day, we cannot always reply to every offer. If you have not heard from us within 7 days, you can assume we are not interested in purchasing your book. We will always respond by email.