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Fairies and fiends, monsters and magic can be found in an ever-increasing number of bookshops and bookshelves around the world. They are the subject of the British Library’s extensive temporary exhibition entitled Fantasy: Realms of Imagination.

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‘Our new travel catalogue was intended for November, but we have held it back until the New Year, free of seasonal distractions. As a taster, I have selected a favourite book from each section to whet the appetite.’ (Julian MacKenzie)

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A photographic journey with our Photobook Specialist, Oliver Wood. From René Groebli's Magic of the Tracks capturing the thrill of steam-powered travel to Alvin Langdon Coburn's Men of Mark, each book is a visual masterpiece. Perfect gifts for photography enthusiasts, these rare treasures unlock the world through the lens of masters.

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From the delicate charm of a mid-nineteenth-century Chinese watercolor to the botanical masterpieces of Pierre-Joseph Redouté, each print tells a story of artistic brilliance. Perfect for gifting, these prints infuse a hint of spring into interiors, inviting the beauty of nature into your space.

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From H.G. Wells' sought-after writings to W. Somerset Maugham's timeless masterpiece, explore the personal favourites of Angus Robb, our Literature Specialist. 

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Join our Travel Specialist, Lucinda Boyle, as she unveils some of her favourite items from our shelves. From Karl Baedeker's pre-war guidebook of London to a volume of John Betjeman's poetry, there's a gift for everyone amongst Lucinda's choices.

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Step into the world of rare books handpicked by our Sales Director, Jeffrey Kerr. From the vibrant allure of Broadway's 'Cabaret' to the Art Deco elegance of vintage mixology in 'The Savoy Cocktail Book', each rare item holds tales of late nights, wild parties, and personal literary experiences.

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Embark on a curated exploration of rare Early English books with specialist Oliver Yarwood.

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Dive into rare cultural finds this holiday season in our Gift Guide series. Uncover rare and signed art books that will make your Christmas merrier, including Roy Lichtenstein's 'Dessins sans Bande' and a signed copy of David Hockney's '72 Drawings'. Spice up your festivities with a touch of artistic flair.

 

'His travels to Medina and Mecca make thrilling reading.  Attacked by bandits in the Pilgrims Pass on the way to Medina, Burton then had a 36-hour non-stop rush to Medina, which he found to be "like a vision in the Arabian Nights"'. 

On the birthday of Captain Cook, we look back at an article from the archive by our Travel expert (and fount of bibliographic knowledge), Julian Mackenzie, in which he explored how Cook changed the face of exploration forever.

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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. 

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.