Bespoke design work led to finding treasures in out of the way places
Since 1988 I've been designing and creating unique bespoke creations such as displays and corporate gifts for corporate clients like the BBC, the Wildlife Trusts, the Foreign Office and English Heritage and personal items like a children's playhouse, a globe and bespoke coffee table book for private clients in LA and London so far.
Clients have also asked me to find existing, but hard to find items such as original art, letters and rare books, many of them signed and with extra illustrations drawn inside.
I seem to have an eye for the unusual and rare and a nose for an interesting story and a mystery. My shop started when I discovered a beautifully bound set of original hand drawn Georgian architectural drawings in a very out of the way location. They were beautifully drawn and featured gorgeous copper plate hand writing. They were detailed drawings of a building in Regent St which included shops, offices and barristers' chambers.
These drawings turned out to be by famous architect Decimus Burton who designed much of Georgian London.
Next I found a copy of Anne Frank's diary in Amsterdam. This book is considered a landmark of feminist writing. This was the scruffiest book you ever saw and was the rough proof copy of the first English edition of Anne Frank's famous wartime diary. It had a piece of plain brown kraft paper for a cover and a simple rubber stamp on the front indicating it was a rough proof. I saw the significance of this very modest looking book and offered my copy at the New York Antiquarian Book Fair where it sold on the first morning.
Amongst notable recent finds are architectural design drawings for the exterior murals on a billionaire's guest houses in the woods at Wyntoon, California. These were drawn by a famous Hollywood set designer and art director.
You'll find these drawings by Willy Pogany in the shop right now along with a witty letter from Roald Dahl, illustrations by the man who drew Winnie the Pooh and a copy of the first Doctor Who story signed by Tom Baker, the actor who has played the Doctor for the longest time so far.
Initially my shop existed exclusively in the real world, then I opened my first online shop in December 2024. I still trade through my real world contacts, around the world, but everything we offer is listed on here for convenience. I'm constantly adding more items so do make sure to check back occasionally to see what is new.
Have a good look around and see what treasures you can find in my store, with prices starting from around £30.
If you're working to a budget, do feel free to contact me on here and make me an offer.
You can also ask me to find anything at all for you.
We currently have some very interesting items relevant to America250 and more will be added during 2026.
You will find details of our bespoke design services for private clients at:
www.bespoke-impact.com
And for corporate clients at:
www.bespoke-impact.design
