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Commonwealth Books

Shops
 Boston, 02109

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Call: +1 617-338-6328
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About

Commonwealth Books is a used and antiquarian bookshop on Spring Lane, a narrow brick lane off Washington Street that the shop calls the oldest street in Boston, laid out around 1630. It has been in Boston since 1995, and its stock of more than 40,000 selected titles runs, in the shop’s words, from medieval manuscript leaves to recent mysteries, with bins of old prints and engravings dating from the 1600s to the 1940s.

It suits browsers who like scholarly books, collectors of prints and maps, and anyone following the Freedom Trail through Downtown Crossing, since the shop says the lane lies on the trail and the Old South Meeting House is about a minute’s walk away. The awning promises what the website repeats: it is open every day of the year except two.

What is on the shelves

The emphasis is on the arts, architecture, history, literature, philosophy and religion, with deep holdings in art monographs, decorative arts and poetry and an antiquarian section the shop describes as quite strong. The aim, it says, is an interesting and affordable collection of hard-to-find books for both the scholar and the collector. Part of the stock is also listed on AbeBooks and eBay, which helps if you want to check for a title before you go.

Prints, engravings and maps

Browsing bins near the front hold loose antique prints and engravings, sleeved and sorted, and the shop also stocks a large selection of antique maps. A print is an easy souvenir to carry home flat, and the shop also ships prints, priced by size, if yours is too large for the suitcase.

Getting there

The shop puts State Street station, on the Orange and Blue lines, about 90 feet from its front door; turn right at the top of the stairs and look for the sign. Government Center on the Green Line is a few minutes’ walk. Carts of books usually stand outside the door on the lane, which makes the entrance easy to spot.

Sources: Commonwealth Books, store hours, terms and shipping, our stores. Checked September 30, 2026.

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Contact Information

Company Name
Commonwealth Books
Phone Number
See Phone Number
Call: +1 617-338-6328
Location
9 Spring Lane
Boston, 02109
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About Commonwealth Books

Quick answer: Commonwealth Books is a bookstore at 9 Spring Lane, Boston, MA 02109. Used and antiquarian bookshop on Spring Lane since 1995: 40,000+ titles, antique prints and maps, open daily steps from State Street station.

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Commonwealth Books is a used and antiquarian bookshop on Spring Lane, a narrow brick lane off Washington Street that the shop calls the oldest street in Boston, laid out around 1630. It has been in Boston since 1995, and its stock of more than 40,000 selected titles runs, in the shop’s words, from medieval manuscript leaves to recent mysteries, with bins of old prints and engravings dating from the 1600s to the 1940s.

It suits browsers who like scholarly books, collectors of prints and maps, and anyone following the Freedom Trail through Downtown Crossing, since the shop says the lane lies on the trail and the Old South Meeting House is about a minute’s walk away. The awning promises what the website repeats: it is open every day of the year except two.

What is on the shelves

The emphasis is on the arts, architecture, history, literature, philosophy and religion, with deep holdings in art monographs, decorative arts and poetry and an antiquarian section the shop describes as quite strong. The aim, it says, is an interesting and affordable collection of hard-to-find books for both the scholar and the collector. Part of the stock is also listed on AbeBooks and eBay, which helps if you want to check for a title before you go.

Prints, engravings and maps

Browsing bins near the front hold loose antique prints and engravings, sleeved and sorted, and the shop also stocks a large selection of antique maps. A print is an easy souvenir to carry home flat, and the shop also ships prints, priced by size, if yours is too large for the suitcase.

Getting there

The shop puts State Street station, on the Orange and Blue lines, about 90 feet from its front door; turn right at the top of the stairs and look for the sign. Government Center on the Green Line is a few minutes’ walk. Carts of books usually stand outside the door on the lane, which makes the entrance easy to spot.

Sources: Commonwealth Books, store hours, terms and shipping, our stores. Checked September 30, 2026.

Shops Bookstores Used Books Shopping Downtown Crossing shops
Phone: +1 617-338-6328

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Where is Commonwealth Books?+
At 9 Spring Lane, Boston, MA 02109, at the corner of Spring Lane and Washington Street in Downtown Crossing. The phone number is +1 617-338-6328.
Q. What are the opening hours?+
The shop’s website lists Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with appointments possible at other times. It says it closes only on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Q. Which T stop is closest?+
State Street, on the Orange and Blue lines. The shop says its door is about 90 feet from the station stairs. Government Center on the Green Line is a few minutes’ walk.
Q. Does the shop sell antique prints and maps?+
Yes. It keeps bins of old prints and engravings from the 1600s to the 1940s and a large selection of antique maps.
Q. Will the shop ship purchases?+
Yes. Domestic orders go by UPS Ground at $7.50 for the first book and $1 for each additional one; international orders go by USPS airmail at cost. Prints up to 27 by 23 inches cost $7.50 plus $1 per additional print, and larger prints have higher rates.
Q. How can I pay?+
The shop accepts cash, checks and all major credit cards. Returns are accepted only if a book is not as described.
Q. Is there another Commonwealth Books location?+
Yes, in Newport, Rhode Island, at 29 Touro Street in the 1750 Oliver Hazard Perry House, open Thursday to Sunday. Its former Milk Street shop in Boston closed in 2015.

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