Books & Periodicals

Material in this specialist market ranges from the early printed works of the Gutenberg Press and William Caxton right through to Modern First Editions and now up to signed copies of Harry Potter. Condition and rarity are the keys to this sector.


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Author’s powers of Persuasion

29 May 2026

Two-in-one edition of the first and last Jane Austen novels had sat undisturbed in a hallway for over 50 years

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The first book devoted exclusively to Oman by Shaik Mansur aka Signor Maurizi

22 May 2026

Pioneering book covering daily life in Oman and life of the sultan was actually written by an Italian doctor

Books, maps and works on paper auctions, May 27 to June 17, 2026

22 May 2026

Our regular listing of UK and Irish books and works on paper sales

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Angelic figures, fiery content

22 May 2026

The East Anglia sale at Reeman Dansie (25% buyer’s premium) in Colchester on April 8-9 featured a stump work bound book of sermons delivered by the prominent 17th century Puritan divine Samuel Ward (1577-1640).

Firsts: London’s Rare Book Fair

International buyers boost latest Firsts book fair

20 May 2026

Buyers from overseas helped sales boom at the latest Firsts: London’s Rare Book Fair this month.

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Hondius extras make a world of difference to Mercator maps

15 May 2026

Jodocus Hondius’ additions for his edition of Gerhard Mercator’s pioneering 'Atlas Sive Cosmographicae Meditationes de Fabrica Mundi et Fabricati Figura' made the work one of the most accomplished collections of maps from the early 17th century.

ATG letter: Casino Royale leapt to £29,000 in our sale

15 May 2026

Just a small thing, I saw that you wrote in ATG No 2743 that £22,500 for Casino Royale was, you believed, the joint-highest price for a straight, uninscribed copy.

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How bible translations in China spread the word

15 May 2026

One of two translated versions that appeared almost simultaneously emerges in German saleroom

Books and works on paper auction calendar, May 19 to June 4, 2026

15 May 2026

Our regular listing of UK and Irish sales of books and works on paper

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Letters from French and Scottish queens who shared tragic fates

15 May 2026

The sales at Stargardt (20% buyer’s premium) in Berlin are an important rendezvous for autograph dealers and collectors.

Keats' love letters

Keats’ love letters returned to family after theft now come to auction

12 May 2026

A rare group of eight autograph letters by John Keats (1795-1821) to his fiancée Fanny Brawne that had been stolen in 1989 but later recovered are now heading to Sotheby's.

Redfern Gallery

New premises for London art gallery and York book dealer among latest moves

11 May 2026

The latest Movers & Shakers round up includes new homes for Redfern Gallery and Lucius Books

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Dealer interview: ‘Interest is far, far bigger than even I imagined’

08 May 2026

Tom Ayling is an antiquarian book dealer based in Wallingford, south Oxfordshire, and is also a very successful social media star. Boasting over one million followers across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Facebook, he sat down with ATG to tell us all about his business and online presence.

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No to Dr No: ‘basically very old-fashioned Fu Manchu stuff’

08 May 2026

James Bond may well now be a hugely popular multi-billion earning film franchise but a group of rare reports by a film studio evaluating the original books show the raw reaction was one of rejection and even ridicule. ATG interviews the dealer now selling these fascinating snapshots of the 007 world

Lucius Books in York

Lucius Books at a new location

08 May 2026

James Hallgate’s Lucius Books has now relocated and opened its new shop in the centre of York after a three-and-a-half year renovation project.

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Works with a licence to thrill: book collectors' first editions in demand at auction

08 May 2026

Fine collection of British modern novels amassed over decades includes earliest editions with dust jackets

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Quentin Blake originals bring back fond memories at auction

08 May 2026

Arabel and her anarchic pet raven, Mortimer, were first introduced in 1974 on the children’s television show Jackanory.

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Books, maps and prints auction previews

08 May 2026

A selection of upcoming highlights at UK, US and European auctions

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Bindings: Judging a book by its cover

08 May 2026

One of the wonderful things about the Firsts London fair is the range of material on offer to browse and buy from rooms full of dealers who are happy to chat and impart their knowledge about the items they are offering for sale.

Books and works on paper auction calendar, May 13-June 2, 2026

08 May 2026

Our regular listing of UK and Irish books and works on paper sales

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