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Our Story

Black Dog Rare Books is an online destination for collectors of the unusual and the historic. Explore rare books, manuscripts, photographs, prints, and ephemera on the history of science, medicine, sideshow culture, Jewish history, and cultural heritage.

 

Each piece is chosen for its story, authenticity, and appeal — helping you build a collection that stands out and sparks conversation.

Le Touriste en chemin de fer. Ligne de Paris a Versailles. Trains de Plaisir. Paris, R. Lebrasseur, [ca. 1850].

Where Paper Tells The Stories 
History Forgot

New Arrivals

Alguns aspectos de viagem presidencial às colónias de Cabo Verde, S. Tomé, Moçambique e Angola (Lisboa, 1940).

Our mission is like being matchmakers for books, except instead of setting up awkward blind dates, we're finding the perfect homes for rare books and manuscripts, connecting people to our shared past.

We've got a taste for the weird and wonderful, so you never know what you'll stumble upon on our website—maybe it's a murder pamphlet, a circus pitch card, or an early-modern work banning homosexuality. Get to know us.

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A plate from Audubon’s The Birds of America (London, 1827–1838).

Our blog features engaging articles that delve into the fascinating world of rare books, manuscripts, and prints, often highlighting unique and unexpected finds.
 

Jetzt ist es Zeit billiger einzukaufen. Mannheim, M. Süss, Kohlenhandlung, [1930s].

TESTIMONIAL

"I have been acquiring rare books for our library from Black Dog a few times a year for almost three years now, and it has been an exceptional experience.

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Materials I acquire from Black Dog are usually very scarce, such that are very rarely on sale. Chantal and Steven actively send me offers of books in topics that I have an interest in; they research the books and provide very useful descriptions.

More uniquely, although an ocean separates us and I have never met them in person, Steven and Chantal have formed a personal relationship with me, beyond the simple transactional seller-buyer relationship.

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I certainly recommend Black Dog Rare Books to any librarian or collector who has an interest in the type of materials they carry."

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Nadav Sharon, Judaica Librarian, The Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library at the University of Toronto.

The service was great, and the items were neatly and professionally packaged.
Amsterdam den 10 January 1766 / Aamspraak[!] van den hooftofficier Isaak Sweers / Aan Johan Humbert synde gerabraakt. [Amsterdam], [1766].

About

Our mission is like being matchmakers for books, except instead of setting up awkward blind dates, we're finding the perfect homes for rare books and manuscripts, connecting people to our shared past.
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We've got a taste for the weird and wonderful, so you never know what you'll stumble upon on our website—maybe it's a murder pamphlet, a circus pitch card, or an early-modern work banning homosexuality.

P.T. Barnum

Blog

The Black Dog Rare Books Blog is a treasure trove for bibliophiles, collectors, and history enthusiasts. It features engaging articles that delve into the fascinating world of rare books, manuscripts, and prints, often highlighting unique and unexpected finds.

 

The blog reflects the passion of Steven de Joode, offering insights into book history, provenance, and the stories behind remarkable editions.

What Our Customers
Say About Us

"The service was great, and the items were neatly and professionally packaged."

"Super rare photo. Excellent. Perfectly protected packing."

"Thanks! It fits perfectly into our collecting project."

Why collectors choose us

Well-researched

Listings include in-depth bibliographic and historical details.

Global Reach

We serve an international audience, catering to collectors worldwide.

Passion-Driven Expertise

The company is founded on a true love for books and historical artifacts.

Fast Shipping

Orders are carefully packaged and promptly dispatched.

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