Old chess books - any bookstore in London?

[Souheil Marine]

Hi there,
I am new to this forum and not sure if this is the right place to ask.
I am doing a small piece of research on chess literature ; luckily some old stuff is available on the net from google books but others relatively more recent aren’t
Anyone knows if one (or more?) second hand bookstore in metropolitan london might have a decent stock of chess books?
Thanks in advance
Souheil

[Christopher Kreuzer]

If you don't manage to find what you need, the other options could include seeing if the ECF's National Library have what you need - you would need to travel to consult the books (it is not a lending library). Similarly, the British Library is an incredible resource and will almost certainly have what you need if published in the UK between certain dates (and many abroad as well, though the dates vary there). Others will be more familiar with the major holdings in other locations.

[John Upham]

Anyone knows if one (or more?) second hand bookstore in metropolitan london might have a decent stock of chess books?
Thanks in advance
Souheil

abebooks.co.uk will often detail the name of the dealer and its location.

Some, of course, are warehouses without a retail premise.

[Souheil Marine]

Thanks for the hints; my experience with abebooks though is that they generally charge overly expensive prices especially when the book is of some interest and value…

[John Upham]

Thanks for the hints; my experience with abebooks though is that they generally charge overly expensive prices especially when the book is of some interest and value…

I'm not suggesting you purchase from abebooks but you can find out dealers who specialise in chess and the contact them directly.

For example,

https://www.abebooks.co.uk/glynns-books ... 3949676/sf

the proprietor of which is a visitor to this place.

[Souheil Marine]

Ok thanks understood your meaning.
The purpose of my question was primarily to inquire if one can find a cosy brick and mortar bookstore where you could flip into a decent chess books collection and make your choice.
Of course i fully agree that if one has a specific out of print book in mind, AbeBooks provides at least an indication if someone around has it for sale; yet, i doubt if the seller they indicate will charge a more competitive price to theirs but possibly i am wrong on that.

[Richard Thursby]

If my memory serves me, Chess and Bridge (either when they were on Euston Road or now they are in Baker Street) certainly used to have a section of second hand books. Wasn't particularly extensive (two or three shelves!?). I haven't visited for a while so can't confirm or deny whether it is still there.

[Tim Spanton]

If my memory serves me, Chess and Bridge (either when they were on Euston Road or now they are in Baker Street) certainly used to have a section of second hand books. Wasn't particularly extensive (two or three shelves!?). I haven't visited for a while so can't confirm or deny whether it is still there.

It was definitely there when I last visited (Baker Street) and was rather more extensive than your post suggests, consisting of quite a range of chess books across many years and subjects. The collection tends to be updated when a keen player dies and his widow or children have a clearout.

[EdwardMospan]

Yes the second hand book section at Chess and Bridge on Baker Street is still there, its a lovely second hand book section ex- collections appear there from time to time, but you have to know when and get there fast , bottom shelf has houses foreign language chess books, top shelf chess informant, chess player, and many older descriptive notation books in-between, well worth the few hours browsing around, if all fails a turn of 180 degrees and your looking at the latest releases. A pity that the second hand book shops have been removed from the landscape,but I found Osterley Bookshop at, 168A Thornbury Rd, Osterley, Isleworth TW7 4QE has a good sports section, had many chess books at one time, failing that it has wall to ceiling books and that distinct musk of "ye olde book shoppe" , however London Baker street is the current place to go for a very good selection of old chess books

[Tim Harding]

Tony Peterson in Littlehampton is the go-to man for second hand chess books and he won't overcharge you

[Mark Ashley]

I probably haven't been there for about 20 years but Henry Pordes on Charing Cross Road used to have a small section of second hand chess books. I don't know if it still does.

[AustinElliott]

Another vote for Tony Peterson as a fairly-priced source of used chess books, but he is a dealer with a list, so not somewhere you can go and browse.

[MJMcCready]

Yep, agreed there. I'd be surprised if there is anyone better.

[John Townsend]

In addition to Tony, there is also Catherine Glynn, who is a forum member who has previously shown interest here in buying chess books. In 2021, you could PM her or e-mail her at [email protected]

She bought some books from me, giving me a square deal, and I would recommend her, as I do Tony.

[Paul Ashton]

i can also endorse comments on the excellent and friendly service of both Catherine at Glynn's books (the catalogue can be accessed from bibio.co.uk) and that of Tony Peterson (https://chessbooks.co.uk/).

I've also found Bob Jones at Keverel Chess Books to be very helpful and with reasonably priced stock (https://www.keverelchess.com/books/). There is catalogue available via the website and it is worth an email if you are looking for something in particular.