That Guy With The Books
@guywiththebooks.bsky.social
Toronto based antiquarian bookseller, early print and manuscript specialist. Illumination is groovy.
Here's a bunch of Charles Dickens UK Firsts taking up space on my shelves.
900 USD and postage to the first person who wants em. Message or email to claim.
900 USD and postage to the first person who wants em. Message or email to claim.
November 28, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Here's a bunch of Charles Dickens UK Firsts taking up space on my shelves.
900 USD and postage to the first person who wants em. Message or email to claim.
900 USD and postage to the first person who wants em. Message or email to claim.
461 Items.
Definitely the largest Catalog I'll have ever made to date If I get it all done....
January ain't far off, gotta grit my teeth and catalog and photograph to the max.
Definitely the largest Catalog I'll have ever made to date If I get it all done....
January ain't far off, gotta grit my teeth and catalog and photograph to the max.
November 27, 2025 at 6:23 PM
461 Items.
Definitely the largest Catalog I'll have ever made to date If I get it all done....
January ain't far off, gotta grit my teeth and catalog and photograph to the max.
Definitely the largest Catalog I'll have ever made to date If I get it all done....
January ain't far off, gotta grit my teeth and catalog and photograph to the max.
The Tale of Genji is one of Japan's timeless literary classics, and Lady Murasaki Shikibu's masterwork, so it's been a focus of mine to try and acquire some early copies.
Imagine my shock when I acquire not one, or two, but a full suite of twenty seven illuminated paintings by the Tosa School...1/2
Imagine my shock when I acquire not one, or two, but a full suite of twenty seven illuminated paintings by the Tosa School...1/2
November 25, 2025 at 5:40 PM
The Tale of Genji is one of Japan's timeless literary classics, and Lady Murasaki Shikibu's masterwork, so it's been a focus of mine to try and acquire some early copies.
Imagine my shock when I acquire not one, or two, but a full suite of twenty seven illuminated paintings by the Tosa School...1/2
Imagine my shock when I acquire not one, or two, but a full suite of twenty seven illuminated paintings by the Tosa School...1/2
Magic Postman at the Door, being me something rare to sell.
Mailman: Here are some paintings of the aspects of Guanyin and calligraphy of the Heart Sutra attributed and signed by Pu Ru, cousin to the Last Emperor of China.
...I mean. Yeah. That'll do.
Mailman: Here are some paintings of the aspects of Guanyin and calligraphy of the Heart Sutra attributed and signed by Pu Ru, cousin to the Last Emperor of China.
...I mean. Yeah. That'll do.
November 22, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Magic Postman at the Door, being me something rare to sell.
Mailman: Here are some paintings of the aspects of Guanyin and calligraphy of the Heart Sutra attributed and signed by Pu Ru, cousin to the Last Emperor of China.
...I mean. Yeah. That'll do.
Mailman: Here are some paintings of the aspects of Guanyin and calligraphy of the Heart Sutra attributed and signed by Pu Ru, cousin to the Last Emperor of China.
...I mean. Yeah. That'll do.
When I became a bookseller, one of my grand goals was to acquire an incunable. Done at 25.
Then it was a Book of Hours. 26.
But one of the biggest goals? An original Paris Bible from the 13th century, on vellum.
It is November 2025. I'm 31. Cross that off the list, too.
Purchased with a buddy.
Then it was a Book of Hours. 26.
But one of the biggest goals? An original Paris Bible from the 13th century, on vellum.
It is November 2025. I'm 31. Cross that off the list, too.
Purchased with a buddy.
November 21, 2025 at 3:51 PM
When I became a bookseller, one of my grand goals was to acquire an incunable. Done at 25.
Then it was a Book of Hours. 26.
But one of the biggest goals? An original Paris Bible from the 13th century, on vellum.
It is November 2025. I'm 31. Cross that off the list, too.
Purchased with a buddy.
Then it was a Book of Hours. 26.
But one of the biggest goals? An original Paris Bible from the 13th century, on vellum.
It is November 2025. I'm 31. Cross that off the list, too.
Purchased with a buddy.
Magic Book Delivery at the door, bring me something good to sell!
Today is....an Early Edo Period Tale of Genji set in a plastic bag, with woodblock illustrations and annotations too.
I mean, it was also in bubble wrap, so it works.
Today is....an Early Edo Period Tale of Genji set in a plastic bag, with woodblock illustrations and annotations too.
I mean, it was also in bubble wrap, so it works.
November 19, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Magic Book Delivery at the door, bring me something good to sell!
Today is....an Early Edo Period Tale of Genji set in a plastic bag, with woodblock illustrations and annotations too.
I mean, it was also in bubble wrap, so it works.
Today is....an Early Edo Period Tale of Genji set in a plastic bag, with woodblock illustrations and annotations too.
I mean, it was also in bubble wrap, so it works.
It's Day 3 at the Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair!
See some books! Browse some amazing highlights. Leave with some fond bookish memories, and hey, maybe buy a book or two at that.
See some books! Browse some amazing highlights. Leave with some fond bookish memories, and hey, maybe buy a book or two at that.
November 16, 2025 at 5:05 PM
It's Day 3 at the Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair!
See some books! Browse some amazing highlights. Leave with some fond bookish memories, and hey, maybe buy a book or two at that.
See some books! Browse some amazing highlights. Leave with some fond bookish memories, and hey, maybe buy a book or two at that.
Day 2 at the Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair!
Books and manuscripts from Asia to Europe. East meets West, stop on by to have a look!
Books and manuscripts from Asia to Europe. East meets West, stop on by to have a look!
November 15, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Day 2 at the Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair!
Books and manuscripts from Asia to Europe. East meets West, stop on by to have a look!
Books and manuscripts from Asia to Europe. East meets West, stop on by to have a look!
One hour to go until the Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair opens, don't miss out!
November 14, 2025 at 9:03 PM
One hour to go until the Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair opens, don't miss out!
Awwwww yeah, nothing quite like last minute packing up for a book fair!
The Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair opens tomorrow, 5 PM EST at the OCAD U Waterfront!! Be seeing some of you soon.
The Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair opens tomorrow, 5 PM EST at the OCAD U Waterfront!! Be seeing some of you soon.
November 14, 2025 at 1:36 AM
Awwwww yeah, nothing quite like last minute packing up for a book fair!
The Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair opens tomorrow, 5 PM EST at the OCAD U Waterfront!! Be seeing some of you soon.
The Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair opens tomorrow, 5 PM EST at the OCAD U Waterfront!! Be seeing some of you soon.
Aw yeah nothing quite like a fair pre-sale that already covers the booth fee
November 13, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Aw yeah nothing quite like a fair pre-sale that already covers the booth fee
Three days to go and an unfinished fair list, what to bring, what to bring?
How about an original trio of cartography manuscripts on the San'yo Regions seas and islands, from 1872, with over 140 pages of original maps!
See it first at the Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair
How about an original trio of cartography manuscripts on the San'yo Regions seas and islands, from 1872, with over 140 pages of original maps!
See it first at the Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair
November 11, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Three days to go and an unfinished fair list, what to bring, what to bring?
How about an original trio of cartography manuscripts on the San'yo Regions seas and islands, from 1872, with over 140 pages of original maps!
See it first at the Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair
How about an original trio of cartography manuscripts on the San'yo Regions seas and islands, from 1872, with over 140 pages of original maps!
See it first at the Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair
Deal of the day, a well loved, 1546 Gryphius edition of the Letters to Atticus by Cicero.
Contemporary, Italian morroco leather binding, gilt tooling and the title, attributed to atelier of master bookbinder Marcantonio Guillery.
850 plus post and it's yours. Message or email to claim!
Contemporary, Italian morroco leather binding, gilt tooling and the title, attributed to atelier of master bookbinder Marcantonio Guillery.
850 plus post and it's yours. Message or email to claim!
November 9, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Deal of the day, a well loved, 1546 Gryphius edition of the Letters to Atticus by Cicero.
Contemporary, Italian morroco leather binding, gilt tooling and the title, attributed to atelier of master bookbinder Marcantonio Guillery.
850 plus post and it's yours. Message or email to claim!
Contemporary, Italian morroco leather binding, gilt tooling and the title, attributed to atelier of master bookbinder Marcantonio Guillery.
850 plus post and it's yours. Message or email to claim!
Inside me there are two tigers.
One wishes to be eccentric and show up in an SCA approved Renaissance outfit for my next book fair.
The other is judging said tiger for every life choice made up to that point.
Painting attributed to the Kano School.
One wishes to be eccentric and show up in an SCA approved Renaissance outfit for my next book fair.
The other is judging said tiger for every life choice made up to that point.
Painting attributed to the Kano School.
November 6, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Inside me there are two tigers.
One wishes to be eccentric and show up in an SCA approved Renaissance outfit for my next book fair.
The other is judging said tiger for every life choice made up to that point.
Painting attributed to the Kano School.
One wishes to be eccentric and show up in an SCA approved Renaissance outfit for my next book fair.
The other is judging said tiger for every life choice made up to that point.
Painting attributed to the Kano School.
In this line of work, even a work on etiquette can be highly interesting to study!
Take this late 17th manuscript scroll, which covers everything from decor arrangements to room etiquette, festival setup, and in this image, preparing meals. That fish looks awfully optimistic for becoming food...
Take this late 17th manuscript scroll, which covers everything from decor arrangements to room etiquette, festival setup, and in this image, preparing meals. That fish looks awfully optimistic for becoming food...
November 5, 2025 at 6:50 PM
In this line of work, even a work on etiquette can be highly interesting to study!
Take this late 17th manuscript scroll, which covers everything from decor arrangements to room etiquette, festival setup, and in this image, preparing meals. That fish looks awfully optimistic for becoming food...
Take this late 17th manuscript scroll, which covers everything from decor arrangements to room etiquette, festival setup, and in this image, preparing meals. That fish looks awfully optimistic for becoming food...
Just a little over a week to go until the Toronto Book Fair , time to brainstorm what to bring!
This illuminated painting album of the Eighteen Arhats is a maybe. The attribution to Watanabe Kazan is fantastic, but who could've expected his second son Shoka would have these rebound too??
This illuminated painting album of the Eighteen Arhats is a maybe. The attribution to Watanabe Kazan is fantastic, but who could've expected his second son Shoka would have these rebound too??
November 4, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Just a little over a week to go until the Toronto Book Fair , time to brainstorm what to bring!
This illuminated painting album of the Eighteen Arhats is a maybe. The attribution to Watanabe Kazan is fantastic, but who could've expected his second son Shoka would have these rebound too??
This illuminated painting album of the Eighteen Arhats is a maybe. The attribution to Watanabe Kazan is fantastic, but who could've expected his second son Shoka would have these rebound too??
Today on "Cataloging Projects that will Eat Up My Entire Week"
An album of 47 opulent tanzaku format paintings, each by a noted artist from the Meiji to Early Showa Periods. Kono Bairei, Hashimoto Kansetsu, Harajuku Hyakusui, and way more, this album is a treasure trove
An album of 47 opulent tanzaku format paintings, each by a noted artist from the Meiji to Early Showa Periods. Kono Bairei, Hashimoto Kansetsu, Harajuku Hyakusui, and way more, this album is a treasure trove
November 3, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Today on "Cataloging Projects that will Eat Up My Entire Week"
An album of 47 opulent tanzaku format paintings, each by a noted artist from the Meiji to Early Showa Periods. Kono Bairei, Hashimoto Kansetsu, Harajuku Hyakusui, and way more, this album is a treasure trove
An album of 47 opulent tanzaku format paintings, each by a noted artist from the Meiji to Early Showa Periods. Kono Bairei, Hashimoto Kansetsu, Harajuku Hyakusui, and way more, this album is a treasure trove
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and it definitely shows in this early 20th century silk painting album, produced by a Chinese artist imitating the works of Ming Dynasty artist Zhou Zhimian.
I bought this partially for that pretty brocade binding as well 🥺
I bought this partially for that pretty brocade binding as well 🥺
November 1, 2025 at 4:40 PM
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and it definitely shows in this early 20th century silk painting album, produced by a Chinese artist imitating the works of Ming Dynasty artist Zhou Zhimian.
I bought this partially for that pretty brocade binding as well 🥺
I bought this partially for that pretty brocade binding as well 🥺
It is Spooky Day. And how, May you ask, am I spending it?
By cataloging sketchbooks with cute animals and landscapes by Late Edo Period artist Tsubaki Chinzanmon.
My stomach will punish me if I gorge myself on Halloween candy...
By cataloging sketchbooks with cute animals and landscapes by Late Edo Period artist Tsubaki Chinzanmon.
My stomach will punish me if I gorge myself on Halloween candy...
October 31, 2025 at 11:54 PM
It is Spooky Day. And how, May you ask, am I spending it?
By cataloging sketchbooks with cute animals and landscapes by Late Edo Period artist Tsubaki Chinzanmon.
My stomach will punish me if I gorge myself on Halloween candy...
By cataloging sketchbooks with cute animals and landscapes by Late Edo Period artist Tsubaki Chinzanmon.
My stomach will punish me if I gorge myself on Halloween candy...
Kusozu, also known as the Nine Stages of Decay, is a Buddhist meditational practice of observing the gradual stages of rot and decay a corpse goes through. Used to see a lot of interpretations back in the day.
See the rest of this scroll at the Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair, Nov 14th to 16th
See the rest of this scroll at the Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair, Nov 14th to 16th
October 30, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Kusozu, also known as the Nine Stages of Decay, is a Buddhist meditational practice of observing the gradual stages of rot and decay a corpse goes through. Used to see a lot of interpretations back in the day.
See the rest of this scroll at the Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair, Nov 14th to 16th
See the rest of this scroll at the Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair, Nov 14th to 16th
I've been told I haven't been sharing enough woodblock print love for the East Asian Catalog.
Okay, fine, I'll catalog one more.
Here's a complete set of 66 ukiyo-e woodblock prints as 33 tryptichs on the First Sino-Japanese War that someone took and bound into a single piece
Okay, fine, I'll catalog one more.
Here's a complete set of 66 ukiyo-e woodblock prints as 33 tryptichs on the First Sino-Japanese War that someone took and bound into a single piece
October 29, 2025 at 3:40 PM
I've been told I haven't been sharing enough woodblock print love for the East Asian Catalog.
Okay, fine, I'll catalog one more.
Here's a complete set of 66 ukiyo-e woodblock prints as 33 tryptichs on the First Sino-Japanese War that someone took and bound into a single piece
Okay, fine, I'll catalog one more.
Here's a complete set of 66 ukiyo-e woodblock prints as 33 tryptichs on the First Sino-Japanese War that someone took and bound into a single piece
"So, how did you start your day Zubairul?"
I got woke up by my puppies, drank some water, and proceeded to buy a complete, 17th century map of the Tokaido Road not seen on the Western Market since 1990. How bout yours?
I got woke up by my puppies, drank some water, and proceeded to buy a complete, 17th century map of the Tokaido Road not seen on the Western Market since 1990. How bout yours?
October 26, 2025 at 2:34 PM
"So, how did you start your day Zubairul?"
I got woke up by my puppies, drank some water, and proceeded to buy a complete, 17th century map of the Tokaido Road not seen on the Western Market since 1990. How bout yours?
I got woke up by my puppies, drank some water, and proceeded to buy a complete, 17th century map of the Tokaido Road not seen on the Western Market since 1990. How bout yours?
Finding surviving ephemera is quite fascinating, especially when it's another surviving divination chart with star signs and MULTIPLE volvelles!
This one is Hommyo Tekisatsu Kikkyo Hayamihyo, also known as a Quick Prediction of Your Fate, Edo Period.
This one is Hommyo Tekisatsu Kikkyo Hayamihyo, also known as a Quick Prediction of Your Fate, Edo Period.
October 25, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Finding surviving ephemera is quite fascinating, especially when it's another surviving divination chart with star signs and MULTIPLE volvelles!
This one is Hommyo Tekisatsu Kikkyo Hayamihyo, also known as a Quick Prediction of Your Fate, Edo Period.
This one is Hommyo Tekisatsu Kikkyo Hayamihyo, also known as a Quick Prediction of Your Fate, Edo Period.
A friendly reminder that today is the first meeting for the Kitchener-Waterloo Rare, Antiquarian & Vintage Books and Ephemera Society! I'll be bringing some interesting material to have on display, including this Edo Period sutra.
That's at the Kitchener Public Library, Meeting Room A, 6PM EST.
That's at the Kitchener Public Library, Meeting Room A, 6PM EST.
October 23, 2025 at 4:39 PM
A friendly reminder that today is the first meeting for the Kitchener-Waterloo Rare, Antiquarian & Vintage Books and Ephemera Society! I'll be bringing some interesting material to have on display, including this Edo Period sutra.
That's at the Kitchener Public Library, Meeting Room A, 6PM EST.
That's at the Kitchener Public Library, Meeting Room A, 6PM EST.
As I'm gearing up for the Toronto Fair, I'm a bit sad that there are some items too big to fit in the showcase. Saved for January it is.
Here's the Late Ming to maybe Mid Qing Buddhist painting on silk I can't bring. The entire painting is pretty breathtaking, but you'll have to wait for the rest!
Here's the Late Ming to maybe Mid Qing Buddhist painting on silk I can't bring. The entire painting is pretty breathtaking, but you'll have to wait for the rest!
October 22, 2025 at 6:30 PM
As I'm gearing up for the Toronto Fair, I'm a bit sad that there are some items too big to fit in the showcase. Saved for January it is.
Here's the Late Ming to maybe Mid Qing Buddhist painting on silk I can't bring. The entire painting is pretty breathtaking, but you'll have to wait for the rest!
Here's the Late Ming to maybe Mid Qing Buddhist painting on silk I can't bring. The entire painting is pretty breathtaking, but you'll have to wait for the rest!