Saint Agnes Books

04/01/2026

Sick of what’s on telly? Why not get stuck into a real epic? This vintage edition could be yours for a tenner!

05/12/2025

❄️☃️ Saint Agnes books will be open for Mingle and Jingle. Open a book and step into another world. ⛄️❄️

19/11/2025

Still 2 hours remaining to bid in this rare collection of Mills and Boon books by Mary Burchell. Real name Ida Cook, and her sister rescued dozens of Jewish people from N**i Germany. All the books are presentation copies signed by the author. The collection includes Ida Cook’s auto biography and a signed photograph.

A collection of 42 works, all but 4 FIRST EDITIONS, ALL PRESENTATION COPIES INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR, all but 2 publisher's cloth, of those 35 in pictorial dust-jackets (18 price-clipped, some frayed at edges, some loss to upper cover one, and spine of another), 8vo, all but 2 Mills and Boon, 1940-19...

10/11/2025

Bidding is now open at Bonhams:

A collection of 42 works, all but 4 FIRST EDITIONS, ALL PRESENTATION COPIES INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR, all but 2 publisher's cloth, of those 35 in pictorial dust-jackets (18 price-clipped, some frayed at edges, some loss to upper cover one, and spine of another), 8vo, all but 2 Mills and Boon, 1940-19...

30/10/2025

One author. Two names. Twenty-nine Jewish refugees saved from N**i Germany. An extraordinary collection of signed first editions. More on those NOW!

A few weeks ago I was fortunate to find, amongst some books I bought at auction, an extraordinary collection of first edition Mills and Boon novels by Mary Burchell. Along with more than forty first editions, all signed and dedicated by the author, I found two copies of her autobiography, also signed and dedicated. It soon became clear that Mary Burchell was, in fact, Ida Cook. The books were all gifts to three women who Cook mentions in her biography. Ida Cook, and her sister, who were huge opera fans were in contact with a number of Jewish friends when Hi**er came to power in Germany. When they heard about the persecution of Jews by the N**is, the Cook sisters set about rescuing dozens of Jewish people from the N**is.

This is an amazing story and one that I knew nothing about until now. Selfless action to help strangers in need of sanctuary.

The books have now gone up to London for auction and you can see some examples here:

A collection of 42 works, all but 4 FIRST EDITIONS, ALL PRESENTATION COPIES INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR, all but 2 publisher's cloth, of those 35 in pictorial dust-jackets (18 price-clipped, some frayed at edges, some loss to upper cover one, and spine of another), 8vo, all but 2 Mills and Boon, 1940-19...

30/10/2025

One author. Two names. Twenty-nine Jewish refugees saved from N**i Germany. An extraordinary collection of signed first editions (more on those later).

Ida Cook, or Mary Burchell as she was know to the many thousands of fans of her romantic fiction, was something of a hero. I’ll let Helena explain:

How did two English opera-loving sisters help dozens of Jews escape N**i Germany?

17/10/2025

We have a pretty wide selection of fiction and nonfiction, including some really special editions. No need to buy brand new this Christmas. Put some preloved books on your Christmas list!

15/10/2025

Biographies in abundance at Saint Agnes Books. Come and say hello. We’re in the Church Hall with Treasure Antiques.

09/10/2025

My first car was a mini. Same age as me. Sold to the scrappy for £5. You couldn’t buy this book for that, let alone a 1972 mini!

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for The Last Works Mini - The End Of A Legend, Purves & Brenchley, Dbl. Signed HB, at the best online prices at eBay UK! Free delivery for many products!

07/10/2025

We are delighted to announce that as of today, 10% from all sales at our eBay shop will be donated to Macmillan Cancer Support.

Follow aggiebooks on eBay. Buying, Selling, Collecting on eBay has never been more exciting!

20/09/2025

We are not into censorship here at St Agnes Books but we’re not above a bit of good honest piss-taking!

19/09/2025

This vintage 1938 magazine contains an extraordinary article (with disclaimer from the editor) about the impressive Japanese airforce. Little did they know!

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for FLYING The New Air Weekly, July 30, 1938, Vol 1, No18 at the best online prices at eBay UK! Free delivery for many products!