Michael Sharpe Rare & Antiquarian Books, members of ABAA and ILAB, is located in a charming building in Pasadena, one of a handful of houses listed on the National Historic Register in this architecturally rich city. Built in 1901, the two-story Craftsman house was once the home of Colonel G. G. Green, developer and owner of Pasadena’s famed Green Hotel. In light of its heritage we have decorated the interior of the shop in a fine Craftsman style. Our sitting room is particularly appealing, so we hope that you will find an opportunity to come visit, relax, and enjoy the sight and feel of truly fine books and artwork.


Michael Sharpe -- businessman, philanthropist and book collector extraordinaire -- is the founder of the firm. He has collected books for over twenty years and has decided that it is time to turn the corner and enter the fraternity of booksellers. Director Nat Des Marais was the head salesperson and cataloger of Dawson’s Book Shop for fourteen years and head salesperson and cataloger at Heritage Book Shop for the past six.


As is true of the larger antiquarian book trade, the rare book business in Los Angeles certainly is in a period of transition, with many brick-and-mortar shops having fallen by the wayside in recent years. However, with an initial stock comprising holdings in voyages and travels, science and natural history, literature, fine printing, Western Americana, and books from Printing and the Mind of Man, we are confident that Michael Sharpe Rare & Antiquarian Books will go a long way to counter this trend. We are particularly keen on purchasing fine books and libraries so please contact us with your offerings at any time.