Heldfond Book Gallery, Ltd.

Throughout the many years The Heldfond Book Gallery,Ltd. has been headquartered in San Anselmo, the most prolific comments we hear from visitors walking through our front door is “oh wow… I never realized a place like this existed here in Marin. It’s like a museum in here!” Our standard response has always been to point out that it is a museum of sorts in here but, a museum where one can actually purchase the exhibits. We are Rare Booksellers, which is to say that we buy and sell books which by nature of the significance of their scarcity have obtained a certain level of desirability and a value concominent to that prominence. Within the rare book trade our company is defined as “generalist”, meaning we are trained to trade within a diverse range of subject matter. A stroll through our book store clearly demonstrates this. Our shelves are always replete with a wide assortment of fine bindings and leather bound sets. The selection of American, British and Continental bindings we offer have garnished us the reputation of consistently maintaining perhaps the most impressive collection of such material on the west coast. We’ve been pleased to provide booklovers, collectors and designers with these sets and bindings throughout the years and have derived great satisfaction in creating and or contributing to many of the finest libraries in the world. Antiquarian material is always of great interest to our clients and visitors. Materials ranging from medieval fourteenth century illuminated manuscripts to 16th through 19th century Literary , Historical and Scientific works are always on view. First Editions of important literature is one of the most popular areas in contemporary book collecting. For the collector it affords the opportunity to possess copies of beloved books exactly as they were issued. For the rare bookseller, acquisition of such material is a most challenging and emotionally rewarding endeavor. Our abundance of literary first editions is vast and ever changing as we pursue our goal of offering superlative First Edition copies of those works which, by way of their scope and genius, have achieved immortality. Important historical works, likewise, are prominently featured on our shelves. First editions of Captain Cook’s Pacific Voyages (1789) to captain Bly’s accounting of the Bounty Mutiny (1792) are but a few examples of our current offerings within this discipline. Regarded as one of our more unusual specializations is our selection of aviation materials, most especially our focus on original world war II pilot flight logs as well as original operation manuals for famous aircrafts such as the B-17 bomber and the P-51 Mustang Fighter or the renowned British Spitfire. In this regard, we strive to ensure our visitors will discover the enchanting and the unusual wherever their eyes may come to rest. Most visitor’s exploration of the Heldfond Book Gallery concludes with a nostalgic viewing of our renowned array of rare children’s books. Some rediscover a well-remembered childhood friend while others seek to infuse a new generation with the delights of their past. Still others simply find an evocative tranquility in the stunning illustrations of innocence. It has long been our aim to present the finest and rarest editions of classic children’s illustrated works. Signed editions, limited editions, first editions occupy the children’s section in profusion and continue to amaze and delight booklovers of all ages. But we don’t stop at buying and selling. The heldfond book gallery has been active in collection development and private and commercial library design for many years as well as providing books and designs for stage and screen, retail displays, advertising campaigns and real estate staging to name a few. As long time elected members of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America and the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers, the heldfond book gallery also conducts numerous private and institutional appraisals each year. Since its inception, the heldfond book gallery has been dedicated to the service not only of book collectors and book lovers but to Marin County as well. For the preservation and appreciation of Rare Books is surely a cultural refinement which reflects most clearly the values and aspirations of the community at large. For nearly twenty years, the Heldfond Book Gallery has been active in supporting County libraries and educational institutions through appraisals and collection consultation, lectures, in-school presentations and many other activities which may serve the public good and underscore the fundamental importance of books and literacy in the development and maintenance of a civilized society. We very much hope your curiosity has been sufficiently peeked to prompt a visit to the Heldfond Book Gallery. We promise you a book experience you shall long remember.