Bookshops in London

[Mark Trapnell]

Just wondered if anyone knows of a WW1 secondhand book store in London for source material/original books? Even if you know of a bookshop that has a good WW1 section to it I would be interested. Imperial War Museum is a little far for a "browse" from Holborn...

[doogal]

Just wondered if anyone knows of a WW1 secondhand book store in London for source material/original books? Even if you know of a bookshop that has a good WW1 section to it I would be interested. Imperial War Museum is a little far for a "browse" from Holborn...

if you can get to St Martin's lane, there is a side street on the road as you get close to the Salisbury pub.

There is a miltiary book shop and a medal shop further along this street. I can't remember the name of the street, but as i work in Holborn, I know it's a fairly accessible walk. Check on the A-Z.

Then of course, there is the Charing Cross Road - Foyles, Borders etc

doogal

[squirrel]

No wish to be indelicate but is the small turning in question St James's Passage?

[Mark Trapnell]

It looks like Cecil Court on the A-Z - will give them a visit!

[doogal]

It looks like Cecil Court on the A-Z - will give them a visit!

St Martin's Court too - there are two streets - the book shop is along one, and the medal shop is along the one a little further towards the lower end of of the street.

[squirrel]

Sorry - wrong "passage" -my A to Z is so lacking in detail these are not even mentioned on the maps. ||Must buy another.

[doogal]

Sorry - wrong "passage" -my A to Z is so lacking in detail these are not even mentioned on the maps. ||Must buy another.

sounds like yours in an "A to K and a bit"

[Staffsyeoman]

The shop in Cecil Court is the legendary (notorious to some!) Motor Books. It's a shop of two halves, military and transport. It does NOT sell second hand, and its WW1 section is not that hot. The medal shop (actually it's a coin and stamp shop with a medal dealer in the corner) is indeed at the Charing Cross Road end of St Martin's Court.

For second hand/remaindered you're better off further up the Charing Cross Road in 'Any Amount of Books' or 'Henry Pordes'. There is also Quinto/Francis Edwards (two shops, same company, same place). Speaking purely personally, I avoid the latter as its prices verge on greedy, and I only go into Francis Edwards when in need of a laugh at the ridiculousness of their prices.

[Charles Fair]

Quinto on Charing X rd is worth checking out - its prices are reasonable. stock varies a lot as it has a complete turnover of stock about the middle of each month. some months good range, other months less good, but I have picked up a few bargains there. Got 3 today as it was a new stock day.

Quinto has another branch outside the British Museum. stock doesnt turnover there quite so fast.

[Stebie9173]

Already mentioned but I found Foyles' selection of Reprinted Regimental/Divisional histories pretty good for a mainstream bookseller.

Steve.

[Chris Best]

There is also Quinto/Francis Edwards (two shops, same company, same place). Speaking purely personally, I avoid the latter as its prices verge on greedy, and I only go into Francis Edwards when in need of a laugh at the ridiculousness of their prices.

Disagree . Francis Edwards produces a good catalogue offering, IMHO, pretty fair prices in comparison with many specialist dealers' catalogues. I've bought many books from FE's catalogue over the years and have always been pleased with quality and service and, usually, with price. Their Charing X Rd (well, just off, but next to Quinto) has a very good Military Section but is nowhere like as comprehensive as it was 10 years or so ago - market forces I guess.

Chris