Bernard Shapero

Bernard John Shapero
Born	Template:Birth year and age United Kingdom
Occupation	Antiquarian rare book dealer
Known for	Founder of Shapero Rare Books; record purchase of Doria Atlas

Bernard John Shapero (born August 1963) is a prominent British specialist in antiquarian rare books and paper-based works. He established Shapero Rare Books, located at 94 New Bond Street in Mayfair, London. In 2005, Slate recognized him as "London's foremost rare-book dealer and possibly the leading dealer globally today."

Early life

Shapero was born in August 1963 and began his involvement in book dealing during the late 1970s while attending Highgate School. His father was a collector of armour and gold coins.

Career

In October 2005, Shapero acquired the Doria Atlas for £1.46 million, setting a new record for the highest sum paid for an atlas at that time. This record was later surpassed in 2006 by the purchase of the Cosmographia. The Doria Atlas had been rescued from a fire at Wardington Manor in Oxfordshire in April 2004, an event where local residents formed a human chain to save library items.

Shapero Rare Books maintained an inventory of approximately 6,000 titles, with prices ranging from £50 up to more than £200,000, averaging around £6,000 per item. Eventually, the company was sold to Philip Blackwell, who is a director within the family-owned Blackwell Publishing.

Personal life

Shapero lives in Hampstead, London, with his wife Emma Lewis and their three children. Their residence features a blend of Victorian design and contemporary architectural additions.