About us
Welcome. I’m Jeremy O’Connor. I’m drawn to innovators, artists, writers, risk takers—people whose big ideas and bold moves changed the way we see the world.
I buy and sell rare books, manuscripts, photographs, and other artifacts that capture those turning points—moments when science, technology, art, or culture took a leap forward. These are original records of human ambition and imagination, set down in ink, on paper, by hand or by press.
Right now, we’re living through a remarkable moment in history. There’s still a chance—just barely—to hold onto the physical traces of the pre-digital world. To own the actual artifacts from a time when ideas traveled through paper and pencil, not screens and scrollbars. That’s what keeps me in this business. That’s what keeps it fun.
And speaking of turning points—check out the YouTube video below. That’s me, selling a copy of the Declaration of Independence on Pawn Stars.
I’ve been in the rare book trade for over 25 years. It started the usual way—hanging around old bookshops as a teenager, buying more than I could ever read, chasing that feeling of discovery. In 1999, a friend and I launched The Manhattan Rare Book Company. We were early to the idea of selling high-end rare books online. Not fully digital—we had a modest office in the Garment District—but aside from a few fellow dealers, no one really dropped by. It was mostly us, the books, and a lot of ambition.
We were a little reckless back then, in the best way. One of our first big purchases was a 1685 Shakespeare Fourth Folio. We bought it sight unseen, bidding by phone at Sotheby’s at four in the morning. We had no buyer lined up, no photos of the binding, just a gut feeling that it would be incredible to feature a Shakespeare Folio on our fledgling website—which launched with a grand total of eight books. “Hello, world. We have eight books.”
But it worked. And that’s how I became a rare book dealer.
And yes, I buy rare books. I say this because at least once a week someone calls and asks, “Do you buy books?”—a question that always gives me pause. I mean… what are you thinking? Crime? No—just good, old-fashioned buying (and selling). Anyway, if you’ve got something interesting to sell, I’d love to know about it. And if you're looking to buy, the shop’s open—online, by email, or just call or text me at 646-960-6760.
–Jeremy