Miraculously spared the harshest effects of the Great Depression, London remained a hub of excitement and sophistication. Its European ties wove art and culture seamlessly with finance, creating a potent fusion of power and allure. A treasure trove for collectors, the city’s imperial connections attracted a wealth of rare and precious artefacts, trafficked through both elite auction houses and private dealers.

Tucked away in a narrow alley behind Paddington Station, the venerable A.R. Belmont & Sons, Purveyor of Antique and Rare Manuscripts, had plied its trade since 1847. Beneath its respectable façade, however, the establishment operates a clandestine network of suppliers whose methods of acquisition often stray beyond legality. Discretion is paramount for its clientele, who rarely questioned the murky origins of the prized volumes that adorned their collections.