Gerard returned to head Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood's Book, Manuscript, Map, Print and Photograph Department in 2023, having previously worked with the firm in the 1990’s and 2000’s.

He has a particular interest in the early modern period, holding a degree in an eclectic mix of History, Natural History, and Literature, as well as a postgraduate diploma related to Cartography.

A favourite recent find was the sole extant copy of an Italian 15th Century manuscript (a ‘codex unicus’), hidden in a later binding on a West Country bookshelf; this now graces the collection of Columbia University.

When not delving through shelves and boxes to find such treasures, he likes to get away for an occasional weekend to the Netherlands with his Dutch partner. As a professional Historian, she has a helpful tolerance for bibliophilia.