15 Years of Old & Unusual
Toronto's Most Unusual Bookshop
Antiquarian & arcane books, rare ephemera, and the legendary Biblio-Mat — the world's first random book vending machine. Featured in The New York Times.
Antiquarian & arcane books, rare ephemera, and the legendary Biblio-Mat — the world's first random book vending machine. Featured in The New York Times.
We specialize in the odd, the obscure, and the forgotten. From 19th-century scientific curiosities to vintage pulp fiction, every item in our shop has a story waiting to be rediscovered.
Carefully curated rare and vintage books spanning centuries. Specializing in the unusual, out-of-print, and visually striking titles you won't find anywhere else.
Vintage prints, advertisements, postcards, maps, and paper curiosities. Fragments of history that capture moments frozen in time — beautifully preserved.
Drop in a toonie, pull the lever, and receive a completely random vintage book. Every book a surprise. No two alike. Collect all 112 million titles — or at least try.
Expert evaluation of your vintage books and collections. Whether you've inherited a library or unearthed a single curious volume, we'll tell you what you've got.
We ship our rare finds to collectors and curious minds around the globe. Every item is carefully packaged to ensure it arrives in the condition it left our shop.
Looking for something specific? Our network of collectors and dealers stretches across the continent. If it exists, we can probably track it down for you.
Profiled by The New York Times Style Magazine, the Biblio-Mat is our beloved mechanical oracle. Insert $2, pull the chrome lever, and listen as the machine whirs and clanks before dispensing a completely random vintage book into the brass tray below.
Featured in international media and visited by bibliophiles from around the world, the Biblio-Mat embodies everything The Monkey's Paw stands for — serendipity, wonder, and the joy of not knowing exactly what you'll discover.
Founded in Toronto's west end, The Monkey's Paw began as a simple idea: create a space where forgotten books and paper treasures could find new homes with people who appreciate the unusual. Named after W.W. Jacobs' classic tale, our shop celebrates the strange, the unexpected, and the delightfully odd.
For 15 years, we've been a destination for collectors, artists, researchers, and the casually curious. Our shelves hold everything from Victorian etiquette manuals to mid-century sci-fi pulp, medical oddities to vintage travel guides — each piece hand-selected for its uniqueness and charm.
Bibliophiles, collectors, and curious wanderers from across Toronto and beyond have made The Monkey's Paw their home for the unusual.
"A magical little shop tucked away in Toronto. The Biblio-Mat alone is worth the visit — I got a beautiful 1920s botanical guide for $2. The owner clearly cares deeply about every item on the shelves."
"This is the bookshop of my dreams. Floor-to-ceiling shelves of the most fascinating, bizarre, and beautiful old books. I spent two hours here and could have stayed all day. A Toronto treasure."
"I came for the Biblio-Mat and stayed for the incredible ephemera collection. Found the perfect vintage medical illustrations for my design project. The staff was knowledgeable and passionate."
Located in the heart of Toronto, we welcome visitors from across the city and ship our rare finds to collectors worldwide. Whether you're a local regular or visiting from afar, there's always something new to discover.
Visit The Monkey's Paw in Toronto for a browse through our ever-changing collection. You never know what you'll discover — and that's exactly the point.
Have a question about our collection, looking for a specific item, or want to arrange an appraisal? We typically respond within 24 hours.