The Second Shelf opened its doors less than a year and a half ago, in a quiet Soho courtyard in London, with the goal of encouraging the collection of rare books and modern first editions by women and in response to a male-dominated trade that has primarily prized books by men and that reflects the gender imbalance of the literary canon.

Our shop stocks collectible books by and about women, trans women, and non-binary writers at a range of prices. We are closed to customers at this time but have kept our small staff employed during the pandemic and are launching a shop online. It is our aim to survive. 

We also produce a literary magazine called The Second Shelf and commission freelance women writers, artists, designers, illustrators, photographers.

Your purchase supports our ability to weather the storm, maintain a closed shop as long as necessary, but stay safe and open online as a feminist business. Books by women should be collected and have value and we love what we do. 

Thank you! From, The Second Shelf