At The Literary Trace, we specialize in sourcing rare, hard-to-find books, whether it's a first edition, a signed copy, or a treasured out-of-print volume. For collectors, bibliophiles, and anyone who’s ever searched for that elusive book, we provide an exclusive and discreet service that combines passion, experience, and a personal touch.

Unlike traditional booksellers, we work behind the scenes, relying on a network of collectors, dealers, and private archives.

Our services aren’t advertised widely; most of our clients find us through word of mouth, and we keep it that way.  Our service is centered around you, and we work with you every step of the way to ensure your book search is as rewarding as it is exciting.

How it Works

  • Send Us Your Request

    Let us know exactly what you’re looking for. Whether it’s a single book or a collection, the more details you provide, the better we can tailor our search to your needs.

  • We Review & Get in Touch

    Once we receive your request, we’ll assess the search parameters and reach out to you to discuss your options, potential leads, and expected timelines.

  • Invoice & Retainer Payment

    If you agree to proceed, we’ll send an invoice for our research retainer. This secures our time and begins the search process.

  • The Search Begins

    We’ll use our extensive network of dealers, collectors, and auction houses to track down your book. We’ll stay in contact with you, providing regular updates on the progress of your search.

  • Discovery & Final Payment

    Once we locate your book, we’ll provide full details, including condition, pricing, and provenance. If you choose to proceed, we’ll handle negotiations, authentication, and secure delivery. The final payment (book price + success fee) will be invoiced at this stage.

  • Refund Policy

     If we’re unable to locate the book within the agreed timeframe, you’ll receive 50% of your retainer fee. We also offer you the option to transfer the initial retainer fee towards a new book hunt.
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Our Services

We offer a personalized, hands-on approach to sourcing rare and out-of-print books. Our service includes:

  • Single Book Searches – We’ll find that elusive book you’ve been searching for.
  • Series & Collection Hunts – Whether it’s a complete set or several volumes from the same series, we’ll track them down for you.
  • International Books – We also offer an international book sourcing and delivery service, ensuring that even books that are not particularly rare but difficult to find locally can be obtained and delivered to you with ease.
  • High-Value & Signed Editions – Specializing in rare signed copies and valuable editions.

Bespoke Searches – For those with specific or broad requests, we provide a tailored approach to find exactly what you need.

Pricing & Payment

Our book-sourcing service is highly personalized, requiring dedicated research, industry expertise, and access to exclusive channels. To ensure that every search is handled with the attention it deserves, we operate on a retainer-based model.

🔹 Standard Search – £100

For books that are difficult to find but not extremely rare, such as out-of-print editions or international titles.

🔹 Rare & Exclusive Search – £200+

For first editions, signed copies, limited prints, and highly sought-after collectibles.

The retainer covers our research, outreach, and sourcing efforts.

Success Fee (Once We Find Your Book)

🔹If we successfully locate the book, a success fee of 20% of the final purchase price applies.

This fee includes negotiation, authentication, and coordination of the purchase.

FAQ

How does The Literary Trace work?

We specialize in sourcing rare, out-of-print, and hard-to-find books for collectors, enthusiasts, and readers who value exceptional editions. Simply provide us with the details of the book(s) you’re searching for, and we’ll leverage our expertise, contacts, and research methods to locate them.

If you decide to proceed, we require a retainer fee to begin the search. Once we find your book, we’ll provide purchase options, including pricing, condition, and shipping details.

Why do you charge a retainer fee?

Unlike a simple online search, our process involves in-depth research, outreach to trusted sellers, verification of authenticity, and negotiation on your behalf. The retainer covers our time and expertise.

If we are unable to locate your requested book(s), half of the retainer will be refunded, or transferred towards a new search.

How much is the retainer fee?

Our retainer fee is structured as follows:

Standard Search – £100
For books that are hard to find but not extremely rare, such as out-of-print editions or international books.

Rare & Exclusive Search – From £200
For highly collectible books, including first editions, signed copies, and special limited releases.

For multiple books:
Books from the same series or multiple titles in a single request may qualify for a bundled retainer, depending on availability and search complexity. We will assess this case by case.

Can you source books that aren’t rare but hard to find locally?

Yes! We also offer an international book sourcing and delivery service. If a book is readily available abroad but difficult to purchase locally, we can handle the sourcing and shipping for you.

How long does the search take?

The timeframe varies depending on the rarity of the book. Some books may be found within days, while others could take weeks or even months. We keep you updated throughout the process and provide realistic time estimates based on our findings.

How will I receive my book once it’s found?

Once we locate your book, we will provide purchase details, including:

  • Price and Condition
  • Seller Information
  • Shipping Options

If you approve, we will facilitate the transaction and have the book shipped to you securely.

Can I request multiple books at once?

Absolutely! If you’re looking for multiple titles or an entire series, we can handle that in a single request. The retainer fee for multiple books may be adjusted based on the search complexity, and we will discuss pricing options before proceeding.

Still have questions?

Get in touch! We’re happy to help!

START YOUR HUNT