Welcome to Arch Rare Books & Antique Prints


Arch Rare Books & Antique Prints is a specialist rare book business based in Richmond, London, dealing in first editions, fine bindings, travel and exploration books, illustrated books, military history, historical documents, and antique prints. We help private collectors, interior designers, gift buyers, and institutions source distinctive works on paper, with particular emphasis on condition, provenance, bibliographic accuracy, and presentation.

My own interest in collecting works on paper began in 2005. A visit to the Grosvenor House Art & Antiques Fair in 2005, with my grandmother, Pauline Willes, a passionate collector, was the experience that ignited my lifelong fascination with historical documents, art, scientific illustrations, military ephemera, and literature. My love of history made this a fantastic way to learn more about the history of events and how they were documented, whether through art, scientific drawings, military ephemera, or literature of the time. The thrill of holding a first edition of Shackleton's South, for instance, is the thrill of experiencing history firsthand, retracing the steps of those who first encountered his incredible story in 1919.

Why Buy from Arch Books


PBFA Member
Arch Books is a member of the Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association, a trusted trade association for professional booksellers.

Specialist stock
First editions, fine bindings, travel and exploration, military history, illustrated books, and antique prints.

Private viewings
Based in Richmond, London, with private viewings by appointment.

Rare book sourcing
Personal sourcing for collectors, decorators, gift buyers, and institutions.

Clear descriptions
Condition, edition, provenance, and bibliographic details carefully described.

Looking for a particular book or print? Arch Books offers a personal sourcing service for collectors, gift buyers, and institutions.

Request a Book or Print
signatures or provenance, using terms like: "first edition," "antique print," "leather bound," "engraving," "illustrated," "vintage artwork," "signed copy," "collector's item," "provenance," "folio," "lithograph," "woodcut," "map," "atlas," "botanical print," "historical document," "Victorian era," "art nouveau," "early printing," "bibliophile," "fine binding," "ex-library," "foxing," "marginalia," "plate number,

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Established during the Victorian era, L&H Nathan became a supplier to the Royal Households, dressing members of the Royal Family and providing costumes for state occasions and performances

My interest in history and collecting has been shaped by my family’s long connection with objects, performance, military service, and the written record.

My great-grandfather, Vyse Millard, was an infantry officer wounded at Ypres in 1915, later serving with the Royal Flying Corps in North Africa, where he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. My grandfather, Archie Nathan, led the renowned costumier L&H Nathan, suppliers to the Royal Household from the reign of Queen Victoria onwards, as well as to the Royal Households of Europe and to countless theatrical and film productions.

The company’s work also entered more unusual historical territory. During the Second World War, under MI9 guidance, L&H Nathan provided specialist clothing for SOE agents operating in occupied Europe. Within the wider family there remain remarkable historical keepsakes, including letters from Charles Dickens, childhood drawings by Princess Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth II, and Princess Margaret, and theatre programmes from Osborne House during the reign of Queen Victoria.

This background has given me a lasting interest in provenance, survival, and the stories carried by physical objects. The books, prints, documents, and works on paper offered by Arch Books reflect that same fascination with history in tangible form.

It was this interest that led to the creation of Arch Rare Books and Antique Prints in 2020.

Guy, February 2025

Arch Books is a proud member of the Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association (PBFA).

Our membership offers customers the reassurance of authenticity, integrity, and professional standards — every book we sell is accurately described, responsibly sourced, and guaranteed genuine.

PBFA Website

Collection Specialists

Arch Books specialises in building collections. We offer tailored solutions and can source any book within seven days, whether it's the final piece of your collection or a complete set of twenty.

Build a Library

What People Say About Us:

"I wanted to say how pleasant it has been dealing with Guy Nathan of Arch Rare Books. I requested two beautiful hand-coloured prints. He managed to secure both for me - even though one was technically out of stock, and the other had to be sourced from overseas. Throughout, he was professional, polite, and simply 'made it happen'. A huge credit to this platform, and I recommend him and his products most highly."

Alexander, May 2025

Rare Book Sourcing

Our website shows only a small portion of our total inventory, as we're always adding new stock. If you're looking for a book that isn't currently listed online, we can help!

We offer a book search service and can usually find the title you need within seven days.

Please contact us below

Find a Book

What People Say About Us:

"It has genuinely been a pleasure working with [Arch Books]. From the thoughtful
curation and presentation of the books to the care you take with packaging,
it’s probably the best I have seen from an independent bookseller. I truly
value it and just wanted to say so."

April 2025

The Perfect Gift for Any Occasion: A Collectible First Edition

Celebrate a birthday, christening, or wedding with a truly unique and thoughtful gift: a collectible first edition book from Arch Books. We can help you find a book published in the year of their birth, or choose a title, author, or subject that reflects their interests.