I started a blog of this name in 2006, which turned into a monthly column in Book and Magazine Collector. As the name suggests it was written to encourage book-lovers to take a different approach to building up a collection. There are millions of old books out there, and many are far more interesting than the same old titles and themes trotted out by established authorities like… well, Book and Magazine Collector, for one. I hated all those ‘Hundred Most Expensive Books You’ll Never Own’ articles and encouraged collectors to look elsewhere for inspiration. I still do…
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Oxford, or, Paper Beats Stone.
Just a brief post as we are in the middle of a particularly busy time for fairs. As the image suggests I am off to Oxford next week for the two-day PBFA Oxford Premier Fair, Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th…
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The 2025 Book Fairs Begin – I’m On The Road!
The 2025 P.B.F.A book fairs have begun, and there’s a clue in the map: I’m away at York until the 13th at a huge fair at the racecourse. This lovely pictorial map is by Estra Clarke, by the way, and…
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Books, maps, ephemera and more needed urgently – can you help?
The seasons change, but book fair season never seems to end! I have had one practically every weekend since September, including the Brighton fair last Saturday the 26th October. Next week I’m back in London for the ETC Bloomsbury Fair,…
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Free Tickets to the Brighton book fair!
This is just a short post to let you know the flyers have arrived and soon I’ll be putting them in the shops all around town. Each one is a free ticket and you can also find a free ticket…
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The 2024 Brighton Book Fair is approaching – and I need to buy books!
Great news for book lovers – the Brighton Book Fair returns to the main hall of Brighton Racecourse on Saturday October 26th. This is our fourth year there and as the manager I’m really looking forward to meeting my fellow…
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