Selling Rare Books & Manuscripts
We are keen, active, and transparent buyers of high quality first editions, manuscripts, and books that have incredible stories to tell. We buy individual items, collections, and entire libraries from all over the world, and pay by fast bank transfer, domestically and internationally.
We specialise in J.R.R. Tolkien and are always seeking significant material - first editions, proofs, signed and inscribed copies, letters and archives. Recent sales include a newly discovered copy of Songs For The Philologists for £65,000. Alongside Tolkien we buy rare books across English Literature, first editions, antiquarian books and early printing, fine bindings and private press, and medieval manuscripts.
We are members of ILAB, the ABA and the PBFA, which means we work to a published code of conduct, and your books are fully insured from the moment they are in our care.
Tom Ayling · ABA, ILAB, PBFA
+44 1491 877244 · info@tomwayling.co.uk
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What Rare Books Do We Buy?
We are always looking for fine, beautiful and interesting rare books and manuscripts. Here are some specific things we are actively looking for:
Literary First Editions and Manuscripts:
J.R.R. Tolkien first editions, including:
Songs For The Philologists (1936)
First edition of The Hobbit (1937)
First edition of The Lord Of The Rings (1954-5)
Signed letters, and manuscripts, by J.R.R. Tolkien
All Books 'From The Library Of J.R.R. Tolkien'
Books Signed or Annotated by J.R.R. Tolkien
Other collectable editions of The Hobbit and The Lord Of The Rings
Jane Austen first editions, including:
First edition of Sense And Sensibility (1811)
First edition of Pride And Prejudice (1813)
First edition of Mansfield Park (1814)
First edition of Emma (1816)
First edition of Northanger Abbey And Persuasion (1818)
Early editions of all Jane Austen novels (pre-1840)
Oscar Wilde first editions, including:
First edition of Ravenna (1878)
First edition of Poems (1881)
First edition of The Happy Prince And Other Tales (1888)
First edition of The Picture Of Dorian Gray (1891)
First edition of The House Of Pomegranates (1891)
First edition of The Ballad Of Reading Gaol by C.3.3. (1898)
First edition of De Profundis (1905)
First editions of Oscar Wilde's plays.
Signed limited editions, and inscribed copies of the above.
Books from Oscar Wilde's library.
Letters and manuscripts written by Oscar Wilde.
Fine Bindings And Private Press Books:
Fine bindings by John Ramage, or Ramage
Fine bindings by T.J. Cobden-Sanderson
Fine bindings by Douglas Cockerell
Fine bindings by the Guild Of Women-Binders
Books printed by the Kelmscott Press
Books printed by the Ashendene Press
Books printed by the Doves Press
Pre-1700 bindings in fine condition
Arts & Crafts period bindings
Finely bound sets of works in multiple volumes by well known authors
Finely bound sets of works on Philosophy and Psychology
Medieval Manuscripts:
Complete medieval codices, including Books Of Hours.
Illuminated leaves from medieval books.
Fragments, or groups of fragments, from medieval manuscripts.
Provenance:
Books owned by famous figures
Books owned by Kings and Queens
Books owned by Popes and Cardinals
Books in fine armorial bindings
Books with interesting provenance tales
Books with ownership of historic interest