A Floating City and the Blockade Runners

Experienced Specialists in Rare and Antique Books
Rare and Antique Books specialise in scarce, collectable, and valuable first-edition books by some of the most respected authors in literary history. Our stock is carefully sourced, researched, and described by experienced booksellers with a deep understanding of the rare book market. We work closely with collectors, investors, and gift buyers who value authenticity, provenance, and accurate condition reporting.

Professional Memberships and Expertise
Our team are members of the Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association (PBFA) and the Independent Online Booksellers Association (IOBA). These recognised professional bodies require members to uphold strict standards of accuracy, transparency, and ethical bookselling.

Every book we offer is individually assessed, clearly described, and priced with reference to current market data. Where relevant, details of edition, binding, dust jacket condition, and provenance are provided to support informed purchasing decisions.

Signed, Limited, and First Editions
A significant number of our books are signed copies and limited editions, chosen for their rarity, collectability, and long-term value.
These editions are well suited to:
Established and emerging book collections,
Meaningful christening gifts,
Original birthday presents
Special Christmas gifts with lasting significance

We specialise in collectable authors. These include classic and early modern literature, particularly older adult fiction, including first editions by Lewis Carroll, H. G. Wells, Rudyard Kipling, Arthur Conan Doyle and Robert Louis Stevenson. Our stock also includes modern first editions by authors such as J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, and George Orwell, whose works remain consistently sought after by collectors worldwide.

We are particularly experienced in Ian Fleming first-edition James Bond novels, most of which retain their original, non-price-clipped dust jackets, an essential factor in collectability and value.

In addition, we offer a curated selection of illustrated and children’s books, including works by Beatrix Potter and A. A. Milne.

Transparent Pricing and Trusted Worldwide Delivery
We believe in fair, evidence-based pricing. Each book is priced following careful market comparison, and we are always happy to discuss condition or valuation openly.

Our reputation is built on being:
Honest and accurate
Detailed and transparent
Professional and approachable

We regularly handle international sales, with all books securely packed and shipped worldwide, and free global delivery provided as standard. Our clients trust us to deliver rare books safely and exactly as described.

Sustainability and Responsible Bookselling
Sustainability is central to our business. Rare bookselling is inherently a form of reuse, and we actively minimise our environmental impact by recycling and reusing packaging materials avoiding plastic wherever possible, Reducing paper waste through digital invoicing (paper correspondence available on request).

Discover Rare Books with Confidence
We invite you to browse our selection of rare and antique books, first editions, and collectable literature. Whether you are expanding a personal library or searching for a unique and meaningful gift, you can buy with confidence knowing each book is carefully selected and professionally represented.

Thank you for visiting Rare and Antique Books.
Please feel free to contact us with any enquiries — we look forward to assisting you.

If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.

Information regarding the right of withdrawal

Statutory right to withdraw

You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.

The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.

To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.

To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.

Effects of withdrawal

If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).

We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.

We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.

We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.

We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.

You shall send back the goods or hand them over to Rare And Antique Books PBFA, Exeter, DEVON, United Kingdom, without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.

Exceptions to the right of withdrawal

The right of withdrawal does not apply to:

1. The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
2. The supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not withdraw once delivery had started.

Shipping costs are based on books weighing 2.2 LB, or 1 KG. If your book order is heavy or oversized, we may contact you to let you know extra shipping is required.