Wanted for Private Clients - Rare Books, Signed First Editions and Fine Bindings

A growing part of Arch Books is helping private collectors, gift buyers, decorators and institutions find rare books and works on paper that are difficult to locate through ordinary channels.

Many collectors know exactly what they are looking for: a signed first edition by C.S. Lewis, a fine binding by Ramage, a signed Dulac, a presentation copy, an association copy, or a rare book relating to travel, exploration, military history or the Middle East. Others have a subject, occasion or budget in mind, but need guidance on what might make a suitable and worthwhile acquisition.

Arch Books works quietly on behalf of private clients to help locate the right copy.

Looking for a particular rare book?

The best rare books are not always immediately visible. Some are held privately. Some appear briefly in dealer catalogues or at auction. Others are misdescribed, underappreciated, or difficult to assess without experience. Condition, edition, completeness, binding, inscription, provenance and price all matter.

Arch Books can help search the market, assess suitable copies, advise on value and condition, and help collectors decide whether a book is right for them.

Recent private requests have included signed first editions, fine bindings by Ramage, signed illustrated books by Edmund Dulac, presentation copies, association copies, milestone gifts, and books for private libraries and interiors.

Books and works currently of interest

Arch Books is interested in hearing about strong copies in the following areas:

Signed first editions
Particularly works by C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, A.A. Milne, Winston Churchill, Ian Fleming, George Orwell, Evelyn Waugh and other major literary or historical figures.

Presentation and association copies
Books inscribed by the author, presented to notable recipients, or connected with important people, events, institutions or collections.

Fine bindings
Bindings by Ramage, Riviere, Zaehnsdorf, Sangorski & Sutcliffe, Bayntun, Morrell and other major binders, especially where the binding complements a significant literary, historical or illustrated work.

Illustrated books
Signed or finely preserved books illustrated by Edmund Dulac, Arthur Rackham, Kay Nielsen, E.H. Shepard, W. Heath Robinson and similar artists.

Travel and exploration
Books relating to polar exploration, Arabia, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, mountaineering, voyages and early travel.

Military history and Second World War material
Presentation copies, signed books, association material, official histories, memoirs, documents and works connected with major military figures or events.

Antique prints and works on paper
Botanical, ornithological, sporting, natural history, decorative, military and historical prints, especially where condition and presentation are strong.

Rare books as gifts
First editions, fine bindings, illustrated books and antique prints suitable for birthdays, weddings, christenings, anniversaries, retirement gifts and private libraries.

What makes a copy desirable?

For many collectors, the title alone is only the beginning. A copy may become more interesting because of its condition, dust jacket, binding, inscription, provenance or association.

A signed first edition is not automatically a good copy. A fine binding is not always a good investment. A presentation copy needs to be understood in relation to the recipient. A famous title may be common in ordinary condition but scarce in exceptional condition.

Arch Books looks at the whole object: the book, the copy, the history, the market and the intended buyer.

For sellers, collectors and dealers

If you have a rare book, signed first edition, fine binding, presentation copy, association copy, illustrated book, travel book, military work or antique print that may be of interest, Arch Books would be pleased to hear from you.

We are particularly interested in material with strong condition, provenance, presentation, inscription or collecting appeal.

How Arch Books can help

If you are looking for a rare book you cannot find, please let us know the author, title, subject, edition, budget, deadline and any special requirements. The more detail you can provide, the better.

Arch Books can search across the rare book trade, dealer catalogues, auction records, private contacts and current market availability. Before anything is recommended, we consider edition, condition, completeness, provenance, binding, inscription, price and suitability.

Every enquiry is reviewed personally.

Tell us what you are looking for

Looking for a rare book, signed first edition, fine binding or illustrated book you can’t find?

Arch Books may be able to help.