Peter Harrington Books is a rare books firm with a Space to hire for private events. One of the more unique venues of London, this is a fantastic choice for hosting a range of occasions.
Established in 1969, Peter Harrington has become one of the leading rare books firms in the world. With a stock of fine books from the fifteenth to twentieth centuries in a broad range of subjects, in the past few years they have sourced and sold such outstanding items as: James Joyce, Ulysses, one of 100 copies on Dutch paper, in the original wrappers Shakespeare first folio, 1623 Samuel de Champlain’s very rare Les Voyages du Sieur de Champlain Xaintongeois (Paris, 1613), a pioneering work in ethnography with the first accurate mapping of the New England coast Virginia Woolf’s pocket engagement diaries for eight years including that for the final year of her life The publisher’s copy of Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn: “the first copy ever bound”, with a unique autograph draft of Clemens’s unused dedication
Peter Harrington’s customer service includes not only sales advice but commission bidding at auctions, library projects and others. They regularly produce fully-illustrated catalogues featuring their newest acquisitions. Each entry is fully described and carries their unconditional guarantee. They provide both domestic and international shipping and accept all major credit cards.
They are members of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association (ABA), the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB) and of the Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association (PBFA). They exhibit regularly at a number of international book and antique fairs.
In 1969 Peter Harrington began selling rare books and first editions from the Chelsea Antiques Market on London’s King’s Road. In 1997 the shop moved to much larger premises on the Fulham Road, still in Chelsea. Since 2000 the bookshop has been run by Peter’s son, Pom Harrington. Peter passed away in 2003. In 2000 The Chelsea Bindery was founded, with some of the finest binders in the world producing fine bindings and boxes.
In the 1970s Peter established, alongside his books, a successful map and print business in the Antiques Market, ably assisted by his wife Mati. In 1989 Mati and her daughter Nicky established Old Church Galleries as a separate business, with a shop in Old Church Street next to the Chelsea Rectory. As a thriving concern, Old Church Galleries then moved to retail premises on King’s Road, and opened a second branch at 98 Fulham Road, next door to the bookshop. In 2003 the two gallery branches consolidated into 98 Fulham Road. Nicky left in 2005 to start a family; Mati continues to work as a partner and consultant.
In 2010 Peter Harrington Antiquarian Bookseller and Old Church Galleries was amalgamated into one business and one premises, so that the new firm of Peter Harrington now occupies a double-fronted building, with more than 20,000 volumes and 6,000 works on paper arranged over four storeys.
Peter Harrington Books is a unique and unusual venue hire that is sure to be an impressive backdrop for your event.