Secondhand and Antiquarian Bookshops in the UK and Republic of Ireland
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Benjamin Spademan/ST JAMES_S/14 Masons Yard
Benjamin Spademan
14 Masons Yard ST JAMES'S SW1Y 6BU
map
tel:
020 7930 8499, mob: 07768 076772 e-mail web 
Open: by appointment
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Rare books, First Editions, Manuscripts, Autographs and Art exhibitions
Book Mongers/BRIXTON/439 Coldharbour Lane
Book Mongers
439 Coldharbour Lane BRIXTON SW9 8LN
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tel:
020 7738 4225 web
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A bit of a messy place with a resident dog to boot and no real bargains to be found. Still, good to have a bookshop back in S W London. Mandalay Bookshop 23.01.12
Yes there is a measure of disorganisation - the shop is a stranger to the concept of 'alphabetical order' within a degree of categorisation and thematic placing. Irritatingly the stock is, as in so many places, placed two deep on shelves , so one misses the opportunity to scan and move on. The owner is an ex pat American with excellent taste in music and radio tuned to a Boston station (depressing to find so much support for Romney). Excellent little rest area with couch and resident dog v. friendly and an integral part of the considerable charm of the place and to which I was banished when my phone went off - not unreasonably. Worth a detour for the stock and the gems which have to be mined for. Jon Morgan 05.10.12
Back again, and no dog. Excellent jazz playing - Coltrane?? Sadly even more books in front of books, making browsing / scanning difficult. I love the eccentricities of organisation to be found in second hand bookshops, but this place is a real challenge. Worth a visit if in the area if only to support a significant asset in what otherwise seems a book desert! Jon Morgan 14.06.14
This shop opened in Brixton 4 years after I left. - so it's been run by a Boston MA guy since 1992. Here a short video. Made my first visit there last Wednesday. Lots of stock both hardbacks and p/bs. Bought a good h/b at a decent price. WAD. Chris K 15.09.14
This bookshop has grown on me - especially as it is one of the very few remaining in S W London. The stock is substantial and the staff very friendly. Shame about the dust though! Mandalay Emporium 17.10.14
Mostly recent (I bought one paperback to read). There were some shelves of older books behind the desk but I was not allowed to look. "waste of time plenty of dealers have looked through them". John Collins 08.08.15
Further to Jon Morgan (above), the dog has returned - it now sits in the window - and the practice of double-parking books on shelves is no longer widespread. Substantial stock in most categories; especially strong on countercultural fiction from both the UK and USA. Prices are fair; I bought the recent Edward Burra monograph in perfect nick (RRP £40) for 15 quid. Nicholas Sack 14.05.16
A revisit but little has changed, Still a good range of stock esp fiction although it sees that large numbers of remainders are creeping in. There is some organisation evident alphabetically but fiction is subdivide into categories such as 'Women's etc. Books are placed face out on the edge of the shelves obscuring the titles behind, which themselves obscure the layer behind. That said, mining can yield gems and the crime fiction section has some excellent stock. Good music , off the wall decor and reasonable prices. A root and branch reorganisation and rationalisation would assist without altering the character of the place. Long may it remain but I hoe it becomes more user friendly. Jon Morgan 20.11.17
British Heart Foundation Books and Music Shop/STREATHAM/94 Streatham High Road
British Heart Foundation Books and Music Shop
94 Streatham High Road STREATHAM SW16 1BS
map
tel:
020 8664 7490 web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.30, Sunday 11.00 - 4.00.
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A very well-organised medium-sized shop with excellent fixtures and fittings, carefully categorised stock, very reasonable prices and a nice friendly atmosphere. It also sells videos, CD's, LP's etc. Highly recommended! Steve Archer
Good, frequently changing stock at reasonable prices. Recommended. trading.ava 05.04.11
First such specialist BHF shop I've made it to. (Anyone know how many there are? Website isn't easy to search.) Spent £15 on 3 very good art history/travel books. If I still lived nearby, would be a regular. Chris K 21.05.12
Although British Heart Foundation have 100s of charity shops, as far as I can tell, only 6 are bookshops - and we have them all listed. TBG 21.05.12
Been going in this shop for years, and often find interesting & sometimes rare titles... Nice feel about the place with vinyl supplying the shop music! John 16.11.13
Second visit after 3 years - if anything an even better selection of books and maps. There's quite a few other charity shops down the long high street but go here first! Chris K 08.08.15
A nice shop on an area which is becoming trendy. Oxfam diagonally opposite also with quite a few books. BHF have a really good stock and prices reasonable. Some really good new hardbacks at about £2.00. An oasis in what must once have been a very genteel area ... It's even got a Pizza Express. Jon Morgan 23.03.16
BHF charity shops in general have better selections of books than most others. They're eccentric in their definition of "collectable" and optimistic in their pricing, but they usually have something more interesting than the blank shelves of banal pb. fiction you usually find. Wee Jim 17.06.17
Back Again, Knocked a couple off my wish list. I have to endorse Wee Jim on the collectable shelves - why a sixteenth impression of Pigeon Post in a very tattered dust jacket should be deemed collectable ... Jonathan Morgan 04.07.17
A thunderous arterial road in an unlovely quarter of London is an unlikely setting for one of the very best charity bookshops. Plenty of quality stock, immaculately ordered, with ample room for pleasurable browsing. Strong on history, military and biography, with some uncommon titles. Prices are generally keen - from the railway shelves, a Middleton Press hardback in perfect nick, £19 new, was a steal at just three quid. Worth a detour. Nicholas Sack 06.07.17
Still a good place to visit but videos etc are encroaching and the collectabilititis virus is still not cured. Stock seemed more tired and less varied than before but still well organised and cleanly laid out. Jon Morgan 20.11.17
Was a very good shop a few years ago, but although it looks the same, things have changed. Prices for some collectibles have rocketed, quite without reason. The general stock is still large, but now seems very dull. A good place to go if you're looking for a book to take on a beach holiday. I've given this shop the benefit of the doubt on my first two visits this year, but after my third visit (no purchases on each occasion) I can see that this is the new status quo. PeterM 19.07.23
Improved stock and prices on latest visit. Worth a look if you're nearby. PeterM 05.02.24
Classic Bindings Limited/PIMLICO/61 Cambridge Street
Classic Bindings Limited
61 Cambridge Street PIMLICO SW1V 4PS
map
tel:
0207 834 5554 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Friday 10.00 - 5.00.
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Complete sets and individual volumes of rare books and antique books featuring classic bindings published from the 16th to 19th century.
Daniel Crouch Rare Books/ST JAMES_S/4 Bury Street
Daniel Crouch Rare Books
4 Bury Street ST JAMES'S SW1Y 6AB
map
tel:
020 7042 0240 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Friday 10.00 - 6.00, Saturday by appointment.
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Specialist dealers in antique atlases, maps, plans, sea charts and voyages dating from the fifteenth to the nineteenth centuries. Our carefully selected stock also includes a number of fine prints and globes, and a selection of cartographic reference books.
Fara Books for Kids/CLAPHAM/74 Chatham Road
Fara Books for Kids
74 Chatham Road CLAPHAM SW11 6HG
map
tel:
020 3202 1059 web
Seven days a week, 9.30am-5.30pm
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Charity bookshop selling a vast range of second-hand books for children.
Folios Ltd/BROMPTON/193 - 195 Brompton Road
Folios Ltd
193 - 195 Brompton Road BROMPTON SW3 1LZ
map
tel:
020 7581 2706
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Books about the Arab world, the Middle East and Islam.
It is really hard to find the shop easy. There is no signs on the street. But only you must find "French bank" on the street and then this bookshop in the same building with the bank's. 5th flour of this apartment. Very nice and very rich stock on Middle East, Turkey and Islam. Aytac Yildiz 14.05.11
Hurlingham Books/PUTNEY/91 Fulham High Street
Hurlingham Books
91 Fulham High Street PUTNEY SW6 3JS
map
tel:
020 7736 4363 web
Open: Monday - Friday 9.00 - 6.00.
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First editions, rare books, antiquarian books, atlases, maps, children's books and more.
Although mainly paperbacks and hardback novels there were shelves behind the manager which contained some top quality local material. If that is your forte then put your nose around the door. Chris Harte 27.06.09
Badly located & looked dead - it was closed - and dishevelled when I tried to visit. trading.ava 05.04.11
Looks like this place (situated on a corner) has been divided in two with a large part of the shop going over to a party-organising enterprise. What is left is literally floor to ceiling mostly paper back books (some might say pulp) quite well 'organised' altho at least two deep on most shelves. Step-laddders are liberally provided for those with a mountaineering head on. It is worth burrowing and removing the first layer. I found several 1960/1970 paperbacks of interest. It does need a complete overhaul tho'. Lots of very dead stock and the stiff in the window is very faded and clearly has not moved for some time. Prices reasonable and the manager averagely attentive. (Glued to the Golf on his laptop) Very close to tube (2 mins). Open at the times it said it would be altho I had to take pot luck as its own site has no opening times (only on TheBookGuide did I find them) and repeated efforts to ring first (current debate) whether on mobile or landline were unsuccessful. JM 24.07.12
This place has the odd practice of putting its better stock into a separate and private warehouse and filling its shop with mostly poor quality paperbacks. The owner, Ray, is very ETGOW but when he is not there the shop is staffed by his sometimes less than helpful friends. A passing knowledge of Fulham Football Club is a useful gambit with them. This is also the only place where I was charged more for a book in the shop than the owner was charging for the same book on Abe. Happy days. Michael Ross 27.06.19
Peered through the window on my way to an evening football match at Craven Cottage. Looks as though it is a Driff Special and while I hoped to return next season I see it won't be open on a Saturday so that's that. Steven 11.11.19
Oxfam Bookshop/BALHAM/166 Balham
Oxfam Bookshop
166 Balham High Street BALHAM SW12 9BW
map
tel:
020 8 7726816 web
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One of the newest yet undoubtedly worst of all the Oxfam Bookshops; very disappointing stock at outrageous prices. Mandalay Bookshop 04.02.12
A small Oxfam books-only shop, next to 2 other charity ones in the high street of busy Balham. Chris K. 24.05.12
Prices remain ludicrously high, no wonder the shop is never busy. Possibly the most overpriced of all the Oxfam Bookshops in the London area. Mandalay Bookshop 29.08.14
As already commented on in previous reviews this is one of the most expensive Oxfam's in London, only bargains are the shelves of unsold Xmas cards (in February). Come on Oxfam, get your act together, decide if you are serious about selling books, or just another Charity junk Shop! Only positive is that the staff are very helpful, but the prices... Steve Newman 05.02.16
Not a bad selection of modern fiction and standard Oxfam pricing .I have no idea who advises them on collectable but ... Jonathan Morgan 04.07.17
One of the smaller Oxfam bookshops, with a couple of unusual and attractive titles in Art and Topography. Some of the prices are ridiculously fanciful. Nicholas Sack 01.10.18
First visit for several years, and a pleasant surprise as the pricing at this shop, adversely commented on by almost all previous reviewers, now seems to have become rather more reasonable. Some prices may still be on the high side, but there are bargains to be had here too. Although in most areas other than general fiction and crime fiction, the stock is not extensive, the quality is not too bad. Children’s books, history and biography were reasonably well represented. The books in the “old and interesting” section, at the back of the shop, near the till, certainly tended to be a bit overpriced, as were some of the vintage paperbacks. But, all in all, I would not say this is a bad Oxfam bookshop. Although currently NWAD, if the pricing policy could be standardised at a reasonable level across the board, that situation could change. Booker T 21.09.23
A smallish Oxfam shop but its stock is varied and extremely well categorised, even to the point of separating the classic literature into each century. Few shelves of new arrivals at the rear of the store which were mostly modern hardback fiction. Some modern first editions and several folios. Pricing seemed pretty realistic. I bought a non-fiction hardback originally £25 for just £3.99. Jon R 16.10.23
Oxfam Bookshop/VICTORIA/34 Strutton Ground
Oxfam Bookshop
34 Strutton Ground VICTORIA SW1P 2HR
map
tel:
020 7233 3908 web
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Quite a decent selection that changes regularly, a good choice of biographies/autobiographies and political books. Mandalay Bookshop 23.01.12
Some good holdings with a window display of rare and unusual titles. Prices were very reasonable especially for the mid-wars first edition fiction on sale. Chris Harte 19.06.13
Has gone downhill rapidly while prices rise. Stock is tired and grossly overpriced. Now one of the worst of all Oxfam Bookshops. Mandalay Bookshop 26.07.13
Small shop in a pedestrian market site, just of the main Victoria Street. 2 new volunteer helpers present but the stock dull. Eg lots of art auction catalogues. Currently NWAD. Chris K 15.09.14
Gets worse. The modern fiction section is shrinking in quantity and quality and as in all Oxfam shops the curse of the Christmas card (Its bloody October!!) takes up space which could be used for book stock, if there is any! Some review copies and DVD / CD stock. No longer worth a detour but only the occasional visit. Jon Morgan 09.10.14
Three years on from Jon Morgan's observations, and the Christmas cards and crackers have returned - it's only October! And cramped space is wasted on chocolate bars and jars of coffee, CDs and DVDs. Is this a bookshop? The arts stock, lazily shelved with books slumped and spilling out, includes a few unusual titles - at fanciful prices. Nicholas Sack 30.10.17
Still has crazy prices about many of its books. Not really worth bothering with. Mandalay Bookshop 18.05.18
I think this one is a bit above average for an Oxfam and I haven't noticed that the prices are unreasonable. Comparatively small stock but there are usually items of interest. Worth a visit, though not a detour. In accordance with Oxfam's amusing new policy, the books in the (so-called) ANTIQUARIAN AND COLLECTABLE section have begun to be sorted by colour, though so far only red and blue have been done. Laurence Purcell 01.10.21
This branch has upped its game in the four years since my last visit. Quality of stock is markedly improved, and books are efficiently shelved. Arts, history and fiction sections contain interesting and unusual titles. Prices seem fair; cheerful staff. Nicholas Sack 08.02.22
Not overwhelmed by the stock quality. Came away empty-handed despite open-minded subject scrutiny. Prices were reasonable. SaltaireTom 18.10.22
I regularly visit this shop and it is worth doing so because the turnover is high. The customer is faced with substantially different stock even if you visit fortnightly! The downside of that is that you cannot leave a book on the shelf to go and think about it’s purchase on a subsequent visit - as I have done on several occasions - as you will find the book gone a week or two later. Some prices are on the high side but there are usually interesting possible purchases. The history, biography, literature and social science sections are good. The staff are always friendly. PeterD 08.11.22
On a recent visit many boxes of books (unpriced) were being turned over by someone who seemed to be a dealer, by arrangement it seemed. He'd already stacked up forty or so books. I have found the odd interesting book here, but rarely.
If you go, go early in the day. At lunchtime it can be packed with workers from nearby offices and thus very hard to get round without falling over people sitting on the floor reading, or slowly flipping through CDs. PeterM 19.07.23
This shop seems to divide opinion somewhat, although I consider it one of London’s better Oxfam bookshops, despite a slight downward trend in stock quality in recent years. Pricing is generally reasonable, I think, although some of the items deemed “old and interesting” (which are now on shelves very near the entrance) are perhaps an exception in this respect. Quite strong on art, biography, foreign affairs and, unsurprisingly perhaps, given its proximity to Westminster, politics. The staff always seem very pleasant. One notable feature of this branch, as others have commented, is the rapid stock turnover - and this, I think, makes it just about WAD. Booker T 21.09.23
I thought that the quality of books here had improved no end, following their slump of recent years. I picked up three decent titles and got change from a tenner. I'll visit again. Chris 25.11.23
Peter Harrington/CHELSEA/100 Fulham Road
Peter Harrington
100 Fulham Road CHELSEA SW3 6HS
map
tel:
020 7591 0220 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 6.00.
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First editions and bound sets, voyages, travel, atlases, maps, colour plate and natural history, Illustrated first editions of children's books, fine bindings and fore-edge paintings.
Paradise for the book voyeur. I bought nothing but was treated with great courtesy even with a bored 14 year old in tow. Loyola 24.04.10
Antiquarian, and first editions of literature, travel and children's. The shelf of photography in the basement contains scarce gems: early Helen Levitt, Aaron Siskind, Tony Ray-Jones, Garry Winogrand - at prices one must expect. Extremely courteous staff. Peter Harrington also has a branch in Mayfair. Nicholas Sack 26.10.21
Robert Frew Ltd/SOUTH KENSINGTON/8 Thurloe Place
Robert Frew Ltd
8 Thurloe Place SOUTH KENSINGTON SW7 2RX
map
tel:
0207 590 6650 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Friday 10.00 - 6.00 Saturday 11.00 - 5.00.
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We deal in most areas of antiquarian books with an emphasis on travel, colour plate, illustrated books, atlases, fine literary sets and bindings.
Quality stock at quality prices. A 1930's Bacon map of London for £750 anyone? (plus £150 for the frame!) Steve Newman 12.12.14
Robin Halwas/ST JAMES_S/9 Cleveland Row
Robin Halwas
9 Cleveland Row ST JAMES'S SW1A 1DH
map
tel:
020 7930 2542
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Sims Reed/ST JAMES_S/43a Duke Street
Sims Reed
43a Duke Street ST JAMES'S SW1Y 6DD
map
tel:
020 7493 566 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Friday 10.30 - 6.00.
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Art reference and fine illustrated books.
Sokol Books/BROMPTON/239a Fulham Rd
Sokol Books
239a Fulham Rd BROMPTON SW3 6HY
map
tel:
020 7351 5119 e-mail web
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 11.00 - 9.00
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Dealers in English STC books (pre-1640), continental printed books up to the early 1600s, and decorative and textual Medieval and Renaissance manuscripts.
South Kensington Bookshop/KENSINGTON/22 Thurloe Street
The South Kensington Bookshop
22 Thurloe Street South Kensington KENSINGTON SW7 2LT
map
tel:
020 7589 2916 e-mail web
Open: 7 days 10.00 - 8.00.
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Mostly good quality art and history remainders. Next to South Kensington tube station.
Almost always worth a visit! David Dixit 08.03.12
Solely remaindered stock, OK if that is what you are after but hardly a second hand book shop. Steve Newman 12.12.14
Not as varied as it has been in the past (and I have been visiting for over fifty years) but always worth popping in to see what is around. Very strong on remaindered books on Art and Painting. Chris Harte 06.06.15
Still offers a wide range of quality remaindered stock, though the photography section is much diminished. Handy for when visiting the V&A Museum. Nicholas Sack 01.06.16
I have been visiting this shop for more than sixty years (yes; I know I'm ancient) and over that time it has changed very little in the quality of its remainder books. However, the prices have risen far more than expected with some being rather stupid. With the area around it having been pedestrianised it has become rather a magnet for the hordes of tourists on their way to and from the Museums. Therefore grab the tourist-dollar. Chris 26.11.23
Thomas Heneage Artbooks/STJAMES_S/Temporary move see comment, normally 42 Duke Street
Thomas Heneage Artbooks
Temporary move see comment, normally 42 Duke Street ST JAMES'S SW1Y 6DJ
map
tel:
020 7930 9223 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Friday 9.30 - 6.00, otherwise by appointment.
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Art reference books, catalogue raisonnés, monographs and exhibition catalogues. It is our policy to stock the most authoritative book on any subject and in any language, irrespective of its being new or second hand.
My third visit to this shop. Managed to buy a impressionist art book again there. Cost me £33 for a special 1989 Paris Gustave Caillebotte item. Shop has some new and a lot of second-hand art books. Do though think the folks need to make all the items look right on the shelves. Chris K 21.04.17
Further to Chris K's observation five years ago, I can report that the stock is now immaculately shelved. Extensive holdings of artists' monographs, and a few dozen photography titles. Courteous staff. Nicholas Sack 08.04.22
Temporarily moved to 27 Regent Street, on the corner of Jermyn Street, due to works at the Duke Street site. High-end art books in spacious surroundings. https://heneage.com/blog/news-events/temporary-relocation-due-essential-works Nicholas Sack 21.12.23
Wandsworth Oasis Books/TOOTING/Amen Corner
Wandsworth Oasis Books
Amen Corner 234-250 Mitcham Road TOOTING SW17 9NT
map
tel:
020 3759 8802 web
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We have a large fiction section, as well as classics, history, self help, world religions, business, art and cinema, DIY, travel and, of course, a children’s area.
The prices were pretty high, and they don't accept credit cards, though their stock was quite large, but essentially the same old rubbish. Mandalay Emporium 26.04.11
Definitely my last ever visit to this place: the manager was out and when I inquired where the shelf of signed books was (they used to have one), the shop assistant replied "Oh the manager keeps those for himself, as he collects them". Mandalay Emporium 25.08.12
Avoid going between the hours of 11.30am and 2.30 pm, as the shop is, more often than not, 'closed for lunch'. I know it's staffed by volunteers, but still ... Alastair Palmer 19.12.13
Now relocated to larger premises, in fact a corner of a much larger ex departmental store. Far better layout and helpful staff. Cheaper than other book shops in the area too. Well worth checking out if in the area. Steve Newman 05.02.16
This larger shop opened September 2015 and is much better organized, laid out and managed. Richard 23.03.16
This is a general, albeit large, charity shop. It looks less than enticing from the outside, but has quite and extensive and varied stock of books. I came away with a bagful for £11.00. Some good quality, recently published hardback books. NB it is nearly opposite the now closed (aren't they all?) police station.They now have a card machine but only for purchases of £10.00 or over. I will definitely be back. Jon Morgan 23.03.16
Extensive stock for a general charity shop, but quality is mostly mediocre. Still, I rescued a book on Naive art for a rock-bottom price. A cheerful lady assistant was unpacking new arrivals and advising browsers. Worth a shufty if you are in the neighbourhood. Nicholas Sack 01.10.18
World_s End Bookshop/CHELSEA/357 Kings Road
World's End Bookshop
357 Kings Road CHELSEA SW3 5ES
map
tel:
020 7352 9376 e-mail web
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 9.30 - 6.30, Sunday 11.00 - 5.00
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A wide range of titles from as little as £1.00 but with the emphasis on better books.
Since re-opening, all the cheaper stock has been replaced by much more expensive stuff and only the occasional bargain can be found. Still the staff are friendly. trading.ava 05.04.11
Reduced opening hours: Wed to Sat, 10.30-6.30; Sun, 11-5. I was lucky on a Tuesday, peering in through locked door; obliging assistant arrived and let me in. Extensive stock of high quality art, photography and fashion - as befits the Chelsea location - but not for hunters of bargains. 26.10.21
They have now started to issue e-catalogues Chris 22.01.23
The shop has gone upmarket from the days when I used to visit regularly ten years and more ago and prices are generally higher (but so, I daresay, are rents in the Kings Road). As noted above, art books are a big speciality. I didn't spot any bargains but well worth a visit. Laurence Purcell 30.11.23
