Antique Bookcases
A well-chosen antique bookcase is both a practical storage solution and a statement piece. Our dealers offer open bookcases, glazed library cabinets, revolving bookcases and stacking barrister cases in mahogany, oak, walnut and rosewood.
From grand Georgian breakfront library bookcases to compact Edwardian revolving stands, there is something for every room and every collection. These are pieces built to hold weight and last generations.
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Featured
A George III Mahogany Waterfall Bookcase
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Outstanding Quality Antique Victorian Mahogany Inlaid Bookcase
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Edwards & Roberts Inlaid Mahogany Bookcase
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Inlaid Table Top Revolving Bookcase
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A Lovely Regency Dwarf Bookcase
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Antique Edwardian Oak Revolving Bookcase
Regency Period Rosewood Waterfall Bookcase
Victorian Mahogany Bookcase
Antique Victorian Quality Mahogany Open Bookcase
Antique Edwardian Mahogany Breakfront Bookcase Glazed Display Cabinet Library Cabinet
English Edwardian Walnut Open Bookcase
Arts And Crafts Solid Oak Open Bookcase
Globe Wernicke six Heights Bookcase
Edwardian Mahogany Inlaid Bookcase
Golden Oak Open Adjustable Library Bookcase
English Victorian Bookcase In Figured Walnut
Antique French Rosewood & Marble Brass Ormolu Side Cabinet with Book Shelves
Arts and Crafts Solid Oak Open Bookcase
Top Quality Walnut Bookcase
Quality Antique Victorian Oak Revolving Bookcase
A George III Mahogany Waterfall Bookcase
Large Quality Satinwood Breakfront Bookcase with Original Painted Decoration
Large Sized 3 Tier Oak Revolving Bookcase
Waring & Gillow Burr Walnut Bookcase
18th Century Padouk Wood Chippendale Hanging Shelves
Top Quality English Walnut Open Library Bookcase
Buying an Antique Bookcase
Bookcases are among the most sought-after categories in antique furniture, and with good reason. A solid mahogany bookcase from the Regency period, with its adjustable shelves and elegant proportions, does exactly the same job it did two hundred years ago, only better than anything you'll find on the high street today.
When assessing a bookcase, check that shelves are present and that shelf supports are intact. Adjustable shelves on brass pegs or wooden runners are a sign of quality. Look at the back panels: original pine or oak backing boards, rather than modern plywood, confirm age and authenticity.
Styles Worth Knowing
Globe Wernicke and other stacking barrister bookcases remain hugely collectible. Their modular design means you can start with two or three sections and add more as your library grows. Georgian breakfront bookcases in mahogany are the gold standard for serious collectors, while Victorian Gothic Revival oak bookcases suit period properties beautifully.
Revolving bookcases, most commonly found in Edwardian examples, are brilliant for smaller rooms. They hold a surprising number of books in a compact footprint and make an attractive side table at the same time.
Caring for Your Antique Bookcase
Avoid overloading shelves, particularly on older pieces where the wood may have become more brittle. Keep bookcases out of direct sunlight to prevent fading, and maintain an even room temperature to reduce the risk of timber movement. Wax polish once or twice a year is all that's needed.