A PROUD 37 YEAR HISTORY

Since 1989 Unicorn Bookshop is a legacy name in the book trade.  From humble beginnings it has earned a revered reputation internationally as a leading purveyor of quality hard to find books, historic newspapers, posters, maps and ephemera.

1989 Founded

Unicorn Bookshop was established in a small brick and mortar shop in Alnwick Street in the historic regional town of Warkworth, New Zealand by the late Richard C.F. Wasley (1944 - 2011).  Records confirm that Unicorn Bookshop remained in this stop until at least 1993 as the shop features in Harry Bioletti's popular book on Warkworth history.

1994-2003  Shop relocated 

Sometime between 1994 and 2003 Richard Wasley relocated the shop around the corner to 15 Neville Street where it was a well-known part of the local Warkworth retail community. 

2011 Ownership change

Richard Wasley passed away in May 2011 and the business changed owners soon after. 

2014  Ownership change, shop refurbished, business digitalised.

Whilst located in Neville Street the business changed hands to new owners Karen and Justin Sollitt in September 2014.  The Neville Street shop was completely refurbished and relaunched in October 2014 as well as the business being established in digital trading.

2016  Unicorn Bookshop goes vintage and 100% digital

After a 27 year institutional association with the Warkworth retail community, Unicorn Bookshop was recalibrated to operate purely digital, as well as specialising only in its range of vintage, rare and antiquarian books that was traditionally only a small part of the business.

2018  Newspapers, maps, ephemera added

In mid-2018 Unicorn Bookshop expanded its product range to include paper derivative memorabilia and ephemera.

2019  TradeMe store opened

In November 2019 Unicorn Bookshop established a professional seller storefront on the Trademe digital platform.

2020  Kauri Books acquisition

In August 2020 Unicorn Bookshop purchased the stock/business of Kauri Books, prominent rare book dealers in Auckland and merged this into Unicorn Bookshop's digital platform.

2021  Facebook interest groups established

Since 2021 Unicorn commenced establishing several Facebook Groups to share items of the specific vintage collections that we procure. These Groups have since gained a large audience numbering in the tens of thousands worldwide.

2026  Unicorn Bookshop today

Vintage, out of print, rare and antiquarian books, newspapers, maps, posters and ephemera is now all Unicorn Bookshop does.

The quaint little shop that Richard Wasley started all those years ago is today a leading international purveyor serving customers throughout New Zealand and across 42 countries.