Books & Periodicals

Material in this specialist market ranges from the early printed works of the Gutenberg Press and William Caxton right through to Modern First Editions and now up to signed copies of Harry Potter. Condition and rarity are the keys to this sector.


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Dedicated Nelson sale: Bidding farewell to a naval hero

06 February 2026

Special sale focuses on the death of Nelson, the first commoner given a state funeral

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The story behind The Hobbit with a spaced-out Smaug that brought a £3000 sum for Oxfam

03 February 2026

As befits one of the most read and best-selling works of English literature, JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit involves a bewildering array of editions over the many decades since the great fantasy novel made a debut on September 21, 1937.

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Pioneers of modern genetics catch the attention in a varied sale full of fascination

30 January 2026

Collection of molecular biologist Brenner attracts a lively response

Books and works on paper auction calendar, February 4-25, 2026

30 January 2026

Our regular listing of UK and Irish books and works on paper sale

Caitlin Riley of Quire Auctions

Why we decided to provide a special new Quire service

23 January 2026

Last August, Caitlin Riley, rare book specialist at Bristol and Bath-based Auctioneum, was making headlines around the world.

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Another magical Harry Potter result

23 January 2026

The records for JK Rowling’s early work sold at auction keep tumbling, both hardback and paperback

Books and works on paper auction calendar, January 28 to February 18, 2026

23 January 2026

Our regular listing of UK and Irish books and works on paper sales

Manuscript diary by Giles Roberts

Georgian pharmacist’s autobiography returns to his home county after museum buys manuscript at auction

22 January 2026

An autobiographical manuscript by a Georgian pharmacist in Dorset will return to the county after the local museum purchased it at auction.

John Russell Taylor

‘A collection that mirrors its owner’s encyclopaedic mind’

21 January 2026

The collection of art and books amassed by one of Britain’s most influential critics of the post-war era, the late John Russell Taylor (1935-2025), has been consigned to west London saleroom Olympia Auctions.

Portrait minaiture of Robert Graham

Dealers celebrate Burns Night with selling exhibitions of portrait miniatures and books

16 January 2026

A portrait miniature of Robert Burns’ (1759-96) best friend is part of a pop up exhibition in Mayfair ahead of Burns Night.

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Full first edition, first impression set of Lord of the Rings makes new high at auction

16 January 2026

A set of JRR Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings realised a premium-inclusive $250,000 (£187,500) at Heritage Auctions of Dallas.

Books and works on paper auction calendar, January 21 to February 10, 2026

16 January 2026

Our regular listing of UK and Irish books and works on paper sales

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York book fair gets 2026 off to a strong not stormy start

16 January 2026

Storms and the threat of snow could not dampen the spirits of rare booksellers and buyers in York for the first PBFA fair of the 2026 book calendar.

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Back in circulation: Royal Society of Medicine items released for auction from vast collection

16 January 2026

Lots from the Royal Society of Medicine boost Christie's sale result to best of its type since 2016

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Gallery hopes to reap rewards of cross-collecting

16 January 2026

Pairing old with new has become a familiar tactic in the art market.

A chromolitho trade card

No need to invade, just make a purchase

16 January 2026

In the light of world focus on Greenland, would-be collectors of polar ephemera might head to PBFA member Stuart Leggatt and his website Meridian Rare Books that has masses of it.

Kinning Park Antique Centre

Curious curios – new owners for two antiques centres

15 January 2026

Two dealers are celebrating the New Year by taking on the ownership of antiques centres in the Lake District and Glasgow.

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Beatrix Potter mania among collectors brings in father Rupert

09 January 2026

A scarce copy of Beatrix Potter’s 'The Fairy Caravan' sold for £3000 in Tennants’ (24% buyer’s premium) Books, Maps & Manuscripts Sale.

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Edgar Allan Poe captured in pioneering photo form

09 January 2026

As he died more than a decade before the medium really took off, very few photographs of the American author Edgar Allan Poe (1809-49) exist.

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Whisper about a Blyton debut

09 January 2026

A rare first edition of Enid Blyton’s first published book, Child Whispers, hammered at £1400 in the Thomson Roddick (20% buyer’s premium) book sale on December 4.

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