Secondhand and Antiquarian Bookshops in the UK and Republic of Ireland
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Al Saqi Books/NOTTING HILL/26 Westbourne Grove
Al Saqi Books
26 Westbourne Grove NOTTING HILL W2 5RH
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tel:
020 7229 8543
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New & some secondhand books on the Islamic world.
Altea Antique Maps and Atlases /MAYFAIR/35 Saint George Street
Altea Antique Maps and Atlases
35 Saint George Street MAYFAIR W1S 2FN
map
tel:
020 7491 0010 e-mail web 
Open: Monday - Friday 10.00 - 6.00, Saturday 10.00 - 4.00.
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Antique maps, old maps, rare charts of the world, old atlases and antique globes. Advice given on collecting antique maps, reference work on antique maps also available at the shop.
Excellent selection of antique maps, expert and knowledgeable sales assistant, impressed with the quality of their maps. I saw an Ortelius atlas Spanish edition that I would love to own, maybe one day... Antique Map Collector 09.04.11
Bernard J Shapero Rare Books /MAYFAIR/106 New Bond Street (1st floor)
Bernard J Shapero Rare Books
106 New Bond Street (1st floor) MAYFAIR W1S 1DN
map
tel:
020 7493 0876 e-mail web 
Open: Monday - Friday 9.30 - 6.00, Saturday 11.00 - 5.00
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Rare and antiquarian works, including extensive travel and mountaineering books, colour plate and illustrated, early English printed and modern literature. Our stock comprises over 4000 rare books and over 3000 maps, prints and photographs.
Good modern firsts section upstairs with some uncommon titles/highlights but over the top prices even allowing for what must be substantial overheads. Loyola 24.04.10
Book and Comic Exchange/NOTTING HILL/30-32 Pembridge Road (was number 14)
Book and Comic Exchange
30-32 Pembridge Road (was number 14) NOTTING HILL W11 3HL
map
tel:
020 7229 8420 web
Open: 7 days 10.00 - 8.00.
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Large stock of general secondhand books & comics.
This is the best shop in London for reasonably priced second hand graphic novels. Also decent arts and sci-fi section. Achieves a high turn over by regularly reducing the prices on the tickets until the book sell- oh that other bookshops would do this! George Marshall 03.04.09
Excellent store with a large basement area. Enjoyably gruff owner with some newer 2nd hand SF books on hand. Basement was all mixed up and in no order, but 1st floor was well sorted. I Baillie 26.04.11
Great little bookshop. Basement was mixed up but great prices £1.00 or less. Managed to get two books here for £1.50 - absolute bargain. Would have liked more time here to have a good rummage. Spooky Mulder 12.05.11
Little room to move in this grubby shop with unfriendly staff. Wouldn't bother with it. Mandalay Emporium 31.05.11
Regularly here. Disagree with the last post. This is a superb place although chaotic, I rarely come away disappointed. Basement is worth sifting through junk that needs pulping and there re regularly new, review and proof copies available at decent prices upstairs, Yes it is cramped but long opening hours mean you can avoid peak times. Staff are eclectic and can be uncommunicative but what the hell, good cheap books... jon morgan 09.06.12
What a superb place to find in London. Yes, the comics are of the non-pulp variety but the books were a varied and pleasant surprise. Paid visits on successive days only because I could not carry away all I wanted to purchase on my initial visit. Prices were incredibly low. The only downside was the ultra-bored shop assistant. Chris Harte 19.06.13
Deserves to win an award ... for the surliest staff in London. Mandalay Emporium 17.09.13
Many new titles on the shelves. There has obviously been a clean up of the old stock. Prices still quite acceptable although it now seems as if their internet business is expanding. Staff still surly. Chris Harte 06.06.15
Staff still surly and uncommunicative and lacking any sense of customer interaction or welcome (as well as awful taste in 'music'). The place, being partly a comic book shop is frequented by unwashed nerds (as opposed to us book buying and well groomed nerds) who make browsing the nearby books on narrow aisles somewhat challenging and hazardous. Today's example was eye -watering! That said the books are generally of a good standard in terms of quality and quantity and I even knocked one off my wish list as well as finding several others of interest. Worth persevering, perhaps with a vintage respirator ... Jon Morgan 23.10.15
Surly staff for sure, but part of the attraction. One of my favourite London Bookshops, even if the comic section seems to be growing. Reasonable stock at keen prices, especially given the location. Well worth a look if you are in the area. Steve Newman 24.11.15
One of my favourite London bookshops, but it was in chaos today. They are in the process of moving 50 yards down the road, to numbers 30 & 32. Apparently one shop for books & one shop for comics. Good idea, as the original premises was getting very crowded with the comics winning the battle for space! Not sure which shop will sell the books and which the comics, but will call in again next time I am in the area to confirm. Steve Newman 18.04.16
This has now moved into two separate premises at 30/32 Pembridge Road, A short walk down from the old premises towards Portobello Road. At first sight the shops are clean and tidy and better organised than previously, but the stock of both comics and books seems diminished. There is still work going on behind the scenes so there may be scope for expansion. On the plus side, there seems to be a new tranche of staff, who are considerably less rude than before. The builder's jackhammers and electrical saws are also significantly more musical than the stuff that used to be played in the old shop. Jon Morgan 20.04.16
I have been a customer here for many years despite the appalling surliness of the staff. However, today they reached an all-time low. I was looking up books on my phone when one of the longest-serving staff members came up to me and threatened me - and I quote: "Either stop looking up books on your phone or f**k off". So I plumped for the latter option - and yes, he did use the "F" word. His excuse was that it was "immoral" to buy books to sell on at a profit and it was better if I were to sod off. Which I did - never to return. Mandalay Emporium 29.05.18
My specialism is photography, so I was delighted to find an impressively strong section here, perhaps second only to Marcus Campbell in London. Some unusual titles, including monographs by Lee Friedlander and Shomei Tomatsu that are rarely seen in the UK. Interesting sections too on art and design, the latter easily missed on low shelves in the central cabinet. Prices seemed a little above average, with some honourable exceptions. I didn't witness any rudeness from the staff (see various posts above) - but my request for a discount was briskly refused! Nicholas Sack 01.10.18
Suffering, like many in central London, from the curse of the empty shelf. There was already much less fiction than in the old shop and now the back room has books turned face on to try and conceal the lack of stock. I used to come out of here with armfuls of recent issues, now it is rare that I buy one or two books. Still, in most cases the prices are reasonable given their monthly discounting on the price labels. Jon Morgan 06.02.20
Books for Amnesty/HAMMERSMITH/175 King Street
Books for Amnesty
175 King Street HAMMERSMITH W6 9JT
map
tel:
0208 222 8158 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 6.00
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Amnesty International UK has 6 bookshops in the UK which raise money to support their work on Human Rights. All sell a wide range of good quality second-hand books. Amnesty International is a movement of ordinary people. Our purpose is to protect humans wherever justice, fairness, freedom and truth are denied.
Large selection but nothing out of the ordinary. Mandalay Bookshop 05.04.12
A bit disorganised and could do with a clear out of dead stock but generally some good stuff at reasonable prices. - ie review and proof copies. Several other charity shops close by (Oxfam BHF etc). jon morgan 09.06.12
This shop will be closing for good on Sunday 25th January 2015. Sales of stock will be happening in January so do come and ask if you have been considering buying something here. Sarah@amnesty 03.01.15
Now reopened just a stone's throw from its previous location. Chris K 30.01.16
Brighter larger and more airy than the last shop. It looks like they will be in this shop for at least 18 months as gentrification creeps along King Street. It has the space to have a greater range than before with no dross or pulp to be seen. Good modern fiction section with recently published review copies at reasonable prices. Large children's section with a small play area to inculcate a love of reading in the coming generations. Other charity shops in King Street not really worth visiting but Amnesty is worth popping into, if in the area. jon Morgan 27.02.16
Bigger but lots of empty space. Dull stock - not as interesting as the last shop. I've found nothing to buy in three visits. Seemingly little turnover in any of the areas I buy in. Perhaps using the extra empty space for more books would help. Peter M 26.07.16
One would assume that this charity receives sackloads of donations, and yet their stock never changes. A lot of space filled with tat. Ducky Duckman 05.12.16
Recent comments are fair - these bookshops often have the better items only online - via Amazon and Abe. Chris K 22.12.16
I found this shop a joy to visit. The manager knew his stock and it is a credit to him that the shelves were perfectly categorised. Certain sections needed time to browse and I eventually came away with a nice selection of titles. Chris Harte 14.06.18
The lease on this shop is going to expire soon and they are currently looking for a new location. Mandalay Bookshop 06.12.18
Still open and a splendid stock beautifully arranged. I had to visit on successive days to carry away my purchases. Chris 21.01.19
Currently closed until the end of July while it relocates a few doors away at No 175 King St. Mandalay Bookshop 31.07.19
Visited on Friday 26th July, shop empty but notice said it will reopen at the end of July at 175 King St, a few doors away. Steve Newman 31.07.19
Now reopened at the new premises. A much narrower frontage but goes back a long way, so perhaps the same shelving area as before. I found little of interest but stock is well organised and displayed. Steve Newman 21.08.19
This is quite bijou compared to the space that the shop previously occupied and much better organised than its original incarnation, although less interesting. It seems the trend for charity bookshops to refit and go upmarket (My local Oxfam is also shutting for a refit) but I am not sure what it adds. The stock here is OK in terms of modern fiction but not earth-shattering. I bought more in the several charity shops on the trek from the station... Jonathan Morgan 22.09.19
Though nothing like as spacious as the previous outlet just up the road, the stock seems cheaper and the delightful staff compensates for the smaller choice. Mandalay Bookshop 15.12.19
Cheerful staff greet you at one of the most orderly shops in the land: books are shelved alphabetically under major categories. Stock is mostly popular and mid-range - though I rescued two unusual titles at knock-down prices. Nicholas Sack 06.02.20
Daunt Books/MARYLEBONE/83 Marylebone High Street
Daunt Books
83 Marylebone High Street MARYLEBONE W1U 4QW
map
tel:
020 7224 2295 e-mail
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 7.30. Sunday 11.00 - 6.00.
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Travel book specialist.
Has some second hand travel books - some quite unusual ones. Also one of London's most beautiful bookshops with its gallery. Anthony Davis 27.07.10
Very small secondhand section - and all grossly overpriced. The Oxfam Bookshop just down the road is a much better bet. Mandalay Bookshop 27.04.12
I agree with Mandalay. Top bookshop but not worth mentioning for s/hand stock; go to Oxfam instead. Steven 10.08.13
The secondhand books are on one wing of the shop's magnificent gallery and it's worth a visit just to see that. The books (all travel, of course) will not disappoint when you get up there unless you've come looking for bargains: prices are fairly high though not exorbitant. Laurence Purcell 13.10.21
Foster Books/CHISWICK/183 Chiswick High Road
Foster Books
183 Chiswick High Road CHISWICK W4 2DR
map
tel:
020 8995 2768 e-mail web
Open: Monday to Saturday 10.30 to 5.30, most Sundays 11.00 - 5.00.
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8-10,000 books on site. Fine books and bindings, children's, illustrated, arts, literature, nice editions of classics. Pay and display parking at the front of the shop. Tables outside with prices starting at £1. Five minutes from Turnham Green Station on the District Line.
Superb. Absolutely stunning quality stock in little more than a room and small annexe. Manager chatty and with considerable knowledge of the trade. Visit highly recommended. Chris Harte 27.06.09
A nice little shop of a kind I have not seen much of in recent years. Nothing of any great interest for me as books published after 1950 do not seem to feature. If antiquarian and old books are your thing this may be worth a visit. Oxfam near Turnham Green Station is close by. Jon Morgan 09.10.14
There was once a branch of this shop in Bell Street NW by the side of Marylebone BR Station. It appears closed with a notice stating that it will not be open as an open bookshop any more! Jon Morgan 06.06.15
Not found this shop open since lockdown 3 finished. I visited today just after the 1030am stated opening time. No sign of life, and the same 10 minutes later when I walked back to the station. Sign in the window advertising their web address may indicate a move away from retail opening, though the website still advertises the 1030 opening time. Steve Newman 28.09.21
The shop appeared to be open as usual this afternoon but in view of Steve Newman's recent experience it might be wise to check beforehand. Well worth a visit if it's open with a comparatively small but choice stock, literature and the arts well represented, and an agreeably old-fashioned atmosphere. They're inclined to mark their prices high; don't come expecting bargains. Laurence Purcell 12.10.21
Fuller D_Arch Smith Ltd /MARYLEBONE/37b New Cavendish Street
Fuller D'Arch Smith Ltd
37b New Cavendish Street MARYLEBONE W1G 8JR
map
tel:
020 7722 0063
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Golfiana Gallery/MAYFAIR/Grays-in-the-Mews
Golfiana Gallery
Grays-in-the-Mews Davies Mews MAYFAIR W1K 5AB
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tel:
020 7408 1239
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Golfiana, Children's and Juvenilia.
Henry Sotheran Ltd/PICCADILLY/2 Sackville Street
Henry Sotheran Ltd
2 Sackville Street PICCADILLY W1S 3DP
map
tel:
020 7439 6151 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Friday 9.30 - 6.00, Saturday 10.00 - 4.00.
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Fine and rare books and prints. Specialist departments, modern first editions, children's, architecture, travel and exploration, natural history, private press, literature, sport and Churchill. Established in 1761 in York we believe we are the oldest antiquarian book business in the world.
This shop gets my back up. Take a 50p book: get it expensively rebound: then flog it to unsuspecting tourists for a small fortune. When I pointed this out, got asked to leave the premises. Chris Harte 14.04.09
Lovely surroundings but prices to match. Disappointed there were very few highlights in modern firsts section. Loyola 24.04.10
Heywood Hill Ltd/MAYFAIR/10 Curzon Street
Heywood Hill Ltd
10 Curzon Street MAYFAIR W1J 5HH
map
tel:
020 7629 0647 web
Open: Monday - Friday 9.30 - 6.00.
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Literature, travel, the arts and illustrated books, old and new. Prints and maps. We also build bespoke libraries and offer the world's most personalised literary subscription services. Delighted to appraise single items and formed collections for acquisition or brokerage
Snooty staff and overpriced books - as the location would suggest; no thank you. Mandalay Bookshop 27.04.12
Very posh and (generally) very pricey. Since the regime change a few years ago there seems to have been a move towards a smaller, higher end secondhand stock. Worth visiting for charm and pedigree but I doubt that you'll find any bargains.
Laurence Purcell 14.10.21
Hosain Books/MARBLE ARCH/25 Connaught Street
Hosain Books
25 Connaught Street MARBLE ARCH W2 2AY
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tel:
020 7262 7900
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Specialists in Central Asia & the Middle East.
La librairie/HAMMERSMITH/377 King Street
La librairie
377 King Street HAMMERSMITH W6 9NJ
map
tel:
020 8741 9484 e-mail web
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 10.00 - 6.00, Sunday 11.00 - 5.00.
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We offer secondhand books in French, for anyone who needs or wants to read in French. We have a wide selection, in all kind of sectors: children’s, comics, graphic novels and manga for all ages, crime/thrillers, classic and contemporary fiction, non-fiction, cookery, collectables and so on. We are are also happy to buy books
Maggs Bros Ltd/MAYFAIR/46 Curzon Sreet
Maggs Bros Ltd
46 Curzon Sreet MAYFAIR W1J 7UH
map
tel:
020 7493 7160 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Friday 10.00 - 6.00, Saturday 10.00 - 5.00.
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A showcase a selection of our most exciting and accessible material, including illuminated manuscript leaves, modern first editions and books relating to travels and voyages. Customers are invited to browse but please be aware that appointments are recommended if you wish to view any specific items or meet with any individual member of staff.
Oxfam Bookshop/CHISWICK/90 Turnham Green Terrace
Oxfam Bookshop
90 Turnham Green Terrace CHISWICK W4 1QN
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tel:
020 8995 6059 web
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Situated just outside Turnham Green Underground station. Recently opened but has had stock supplied from Oxfam's central book depot. Usual stuff as expected in such a shop, some things of interest. Chris Harte 27.06.09
Bog standard stock attractively presented. Nothing collectable on my visit. Not worth a detour. Loyola 24.04.10
Hard by Turnham Green LT station. Not a bad stock and prices for Oxfam are fairly reasonable. Good history section and fiction with extensive DVD and vinyl. Jon Morgan 09.10.14
One of Oxfam's smaller branches. History and fiction are best represented; the arts stock is thin. A few minutes away in Chiswick High Road, the excellent remainders shop Bookcase offers more. Nicholas Sack 06.02.20
What a change since my last visit. This is now an Oxfam I would recommend visiting especially for its Arts section. Earlier I had purchased a rare arts book for £2.50 in another shop. Here I found two further volumes of the series (both worth at least £40 each) for £2.99. Oh, days of joy! Christopher Harte 07.10.21
An above average Oxfam, strong on literature, music, history and (as Chris Harte found) art. There is more and better fiction than the customary annihilating shelves of paperbacks would suggest. A locked glass case contains vintage childrens' books; this may be a speciality. The ANTIQUARIAN section includes the usual battle-scarred veterans and anomalies: does a time-worn copy of Lawrence Durrell's "Bitter Lemons" really belong here? Laurence Purcell 12.10.21
Oxfam Bookshop/EALING/1 The Green
Oxfam Bookshop
1 The Green EALING W5 5DA
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tel:
020 8567 2152
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A wide selection of books, not much under £1.99, but some decent stock. Mandalay Emporium 12.05.11
A nice little shop which, when there is not water dripping thru the ceiling is worth haunting. A small premises but with a decent all-round stock and, for Oxfam, decent prices. My purchases were at or less than £2.99 and one was a recently published hardback. Nothing else in Ealing to merit a special visit tho! Jon Morgan 27.02.16
Still having damp problems with workmen plastering the basement. Limited books until repairs completed. Chris Harte 28.03.18
Now fully open with a mixture of stock. Heavy on paperback fiction but treasures in the "old and rare" section behind the main door. I picked up three superb books for a fraction of dealers' prices. Chris 21.01.19
A rather pungent odour permeated the shop when I visited - wasn't sure if it was damp or one of the other patrons.... a shelf marked "last week's window selection" vies for attention next to the non-fiction offerings. Agree that it is more inclined towards paperback fiction but don't miss the rare section near the door. Graeme Rendall 22.09.19
This shop is going downhill. Empty shelves (apart from one or two tired volumes) in many sections. It all looks half-hearted this year. Why maintain a shop with so many empty shelves? I disagree with other commentators - the 'rare' books are often ludicrously overpriced. Peter M 19.10.19
Oxfam Bookshop/NOTTING HILL/170 Portobello Road
Oxfam Bookshop
170 Portobello Road NOTTING HILL W11 2EB
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tel:
020 7727 2907 web
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Nice little book-shop. Managed to get two books and pay for only one - buy one get one free promotion. Very good! SpookyMulder 13.05.11
Stock no different from all the other Oxfam bookshops but at least the prices are more realistic. Mandalay Bookshop 17.05.12
Also took advantage of the 2-for-1 deal. [Though some large art books in the window were quite overpriced.] An above average Oxfam bookshop in a gentrified location. Chris K 18.06.12
Prices appear to have gone up while the quality of the stock has deteriorated. Not worth a detour. Mandalay Emporium 25.01.14
Usual Oxfam fare, but reasonable prices by Oxfam standards. And they have not sacrificed book space for Xmas cards as in most Oxfam's in London this year. So well done! Steve Newman 24.11.15
I found a scarce book of photos of the war in Bosnia lurking in the Travel section! Perhaps this misplacement explains the price, a mere fraction of what is charged for the few copies online. With some breathtaking exceptions, prices here seem generally modest for Oxfam. A pleasant shop, with stock neatly shelved in clear categories, and an affable assistant. Nicholas Sack 06.10.18
Much improved over more recent visits. The stock changes regularly & the prices are far more realistic. Recommended. Mandalay Bookshop 15.12.19
Visited yesterday and whilst the shop is well organised and tidy it does worry me when I ask if they have any Observer Pocket Books and no staff member has heard of Observer Books. Only happens in Oxfam! Steve Newman 30.07.21
Peter Harrington/MAYFAIR/43 Dover Street
Peter Harrington
43 Dover Street MAYFAIR W1S 4FF
map
tel:
020 3763 3220 e-mail web
Open: Monday - Friday 10.00 - 7.00, Saturday 10.00 - 6.00.
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We specialise in selling and buying the finest quality original first editions, signed, rare and antiquarian books, fine bindings and library sets.
Royal Trinity Hospice Shop/Notting Hill/20a Notting Hill Gate
Royal Trinity Hospice Shop
20a Notting Hill Gate Notting Hill W11 3JE
map
tel:
020 7792 2582 web
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 6.00, Sunday 11.00 - 5.00.
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There is an extensive collection of books in our Notting Hill shop; you will find a great selection of antique books, art books and a wide variety of fiction.
One small room, stock not that exciting. Back room of a normal charity shop, moved here from Kensington Church St I believe, Now that was a decent shop. Steve Newman 15.01.18
Further to Mr Newman above, only two sides of the small back room are given over to books. Middlebrow stock; NWAD. Nicholas Sack 01.10.18
Sam Fogg Ltd/MAYFAIR/15d Clifford Street
Sam Fogg Ltd
15d Clifford Street MAYFAIR W1S 4JZ
map
tel:
020 7534 2100 web
Open: Monday - Friday 9.30 - 5.30.
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Second Shelf/SOHO/14 Smiths Court
The Second Shelf
14 Smiths Court SOHO W1D 7DW
map
tel:
020 3490 2800 web
Open: Tuesday - Thursday 11.00 - 6.00, Friday & Saturday 11.00 - 7.00.
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We offer customers rare and antiquarian books, modern first editions, ephemera, manuscripts, and rediscovered works by women.
Sophie Schneideman Rare Books/NOTTING HILL/331 Portabello Road
Sophie Schneideman Rare Books
331 Portabello Road NOTTING HILL W10 5SA
map
tel:
020 8354 7365 e-mail
Open: Tuesday - Thursday 11.00 - 4.00, Friday 11.00 - 3.00, Saturday 10.30 - 6.00.
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Private Press & illustrated books, binding, food and drink, prints & photography. 3-4 catalogues and 3 shows a year. Talks about food & drink history as well as various aspects of the book arts. Always available by appointment as well as opening times.
Vintage Magazine Shop/SOHO/39-43 Brewer Street
Vintage Magazine Shop
39-43 Brewer Street SOHO W1F 9UD
map
tel:
020 7439 8525
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Magazines, comics & annuals. Claims to have the biggest magazine stock in Europe.
I walked past twice before realising that this semi-porn shop actually had magazines, which I eventually found in the basement. What was there were grossly overpriced and a waste of my time checking for anything of quality. Still, the other shop items opened the eyes of an innocent. Chris Harte 06.01.10
