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Sean Phillips (owner of Gotcha By The Books) began selling books in Brisbane in 1985.  It remains the only real job he’s ever had.  He got his first experience in the book trade with the late Emmanuel Meschers in the early days of Archives Bookshop.  Sean ran his own bookstore in Brisbane’s West End in 1993.  In the early 2000’s he founded Gotcha By The Books, selling online out of his parents’ house.  Since 2010 he’s been working from home, having converted the downstairs of the house into a bookshop.

At Gotcha By The Books we specialize in Poetry, Australian Poetry, Literature, Art Books, Artists’ Books, Australiana, Drama and Performing Arts, Literary Criticism, Philosophy, and related subjects.  We are always looking for unique items, rare or unusual books, on all and any subject.

As well as operating online, Gotcha By The Books is open by appointment.  Visitors are always welcome.  Please contact us if you wish to drop in and browse through our books.

We buy books on all subjects, with focus on Art Books, Old and Antiquarian Books, Poetry, Australian Poetry, but we don’t limit ourselves to those areas.  Please get in touch if you have books that you wish to sell.  We also purchase old photographs, and ephemera.

  • Payment within Australia can be made by Paypal, Direct Deposit, Visa and Mastercard.
  • Payment from overseas can be made by Paypal, Visa, Mastercard, or International Bank Transfer.
  • Titles remain the property of Gotcha By The Books until full payment is received.
  • Telephone and e-mail orders welcome at any time. further details or information on any title is available on request
  • Pro-Forma Invoicing can be arranged for Libraries, Educational Establishments & Government Departments.
  • We endeavour to describe books accurately, listing all relevant faults, but also welcome requests for extra information.  We are always happy to supply more photos of books if required. If you receive a book from us which you consider to be ‘not as described’ we are happy to refund, including return shipping.
  • Shipping is via Australia Post and includes automated tracking emails at no extra expense.  We can ship by express post, with insurance, registered, and so forth on request.