Looking for a rare book you can’t find?

Arch Books helps private collectors, gift buyers and institutions locate rare books, signed first editions, fine bindings, presentation copies, association copies, illustrated books and works on paper that are difficult to find through ordinary channels.

Whether you are searching for a signed C.S. Lewis first edition, a finely bound set by Ramage, a signed T.E. Lawrence, a rare work of travel or exploration, or a special gift, we can quietly search on your behalf and advise on the right copy.

Tell us what you are looking for

Share the author, title, subject, edition, budget, deadline and any special requirements. The more detail you can provide, the better.

How Arch Books can help

We search carefully 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.

Books and works we are often asked to find include:

Literary, signed and illustrated books

  • Signed first editions
  • Inscribed books and presentation copies
  • Association copies
  • Signed illustrated books by Edmund Dulac, Arthur Rackham, Kay Nielsen and E.H. Shepard
  • C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, A.A. Milne, Evelyn Waugh, Ian Fleming and other major literary authors

Fine bindings, history and works on paper

  • Fine bindings by Ramage, Riviere, Zaehnsdorf, Sangorski & Sutcliffe and others
  • Travel and exploration books
  • Polar exploration
  • Arabia, the Middle East, Africa and Asia
  • Military history and Second World War material
  • Antique prints and works on paper
  • Rare books for gifts, private libraries and interiors

Recent private requests have included:
Recent private requests have included signed first editions, fine bindings by Ramage, signed books by Winston Churchill, George Orwell presentation copies, association copies, milestone gifts, and books for private libraries and interiors.

Looking for a particular rare book, signed first edition, fine binding or illustrated work?

Please contact Arch Books and tell us what you are hoping to find.