| Bernard Quaritch Ltd. - South Audley Street |
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She was to be proved right. With modest capital, Quaritch set up on his own in October 1847. The same month he issued a catalogue, the first of a series that now numbers over fourteen hundred. We strive to remain true to his legacy, now operating out of our premises at 40 South Audley Street in the heart of Mayfair. We have a dedicated staff of some twenty booksellers and cater to a wide range of interests. Our specialties include, but are not limited to, early printed books; European, Russian & South American literature; art & architecture; economics; English literature & history; science; law; medicine; travel; politics; music; archives; Middle Eastern material; and medieval manuscripts.
We can provide valuations of books, libraries, manuscripts and archives for probate and insurance purposes as well as for negotiated sale. We offer advice and assistance on individual items and collections eligible for conditional exemption from United Kingdom taxation and for acceptance in lieu of inheritance tax. Bernard Quaritch Ltd. Tel: + 44 (0)20 7297 4888 Opening Hours: Our hours are 9-6 Monday to Friday. We welcome walk-in visits but encourage our clients to contact us beforehand so that we may properly prepare for their arrival. |
Bernard Quaritch Ltd. has been buying and selling rare books and manuscripts since 1847. Our founder, Bernard Quaritch, was born in 1819 near Göttingen in Germany. After working for booksellers in Nordhausen and Berlin, he set off for London in 1842, aged twenty-three. Quaritch knew no one there, but was armed with a letter of introduction to Henry Bohn, then London’s leading book dealer. Impressed by Quaritch’s persistence, Bohn took the young man on. Quaritch later recalled saying to his employer, “Mr Bohn, you are the first bookseller in England, I mean to become the first bookseller in Europe”. Bohn’s answer is not recorded, but Mrs Bohn, already impressed by Quaritch’s diligence, replied “I believe you will”. 
True to the tradition of our founder, we remain one of the world’s leading buyers at auction, and are in constant touch with all the major auction houses. In addition to buying for our own stock, we bid on our clients’ behalf: our service includes viewing books before the sale, advising clients on appropriate bids, handling execution of bids and collating books after purchase. Where we are familiar with customers’ interests we will notify them of forthcoming sales containing material for which they may wish to bid. In general terms our function may be described as the protection of our client’s interest, both as to the quality of the object offered and the price to be paid.
