Bayliss Rare Books was founded by Oliver Bayliss with a simple idea: rare books and historical objects should feel exciting.

We deal in the kind of material that stops you in your tracks. First editions, signed and association copies, manuscripts, letters, archives, original artwork, music lyrics, film material and objects from major moments in history. From Tolkien, Orwell, Christie, Stoker, Shelley and Fitzgerald to D-Day archives, handwritten lyrics, photography and cultural artefacts, we look for pieces with rarity, beauty, provenance and a proper story behind them.

This is not about dusty books on a shelf. It is about objects that have survived against the odds. Books that changed culture. Manuscripts that show genius at work. Letters that bring writers and artists back into the room. Pieces that belong in museums, but can still be privately owned.

Much of what we handle comes privately, often before it reaches the open market. Whether you are building a serious collection, buying one major piece, or looking for something unforgettable, we make the process clear, personal and enjoyable.