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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The Lewes Avalanche of 1836, Colour Printed by George Baxter.
On the 27th December 1836 a huge wall of snow slipped off the Cliffe above Lewes, killing eight people. This unusual event was portrayed by local printer and inventor George Baxter in the image here. At first glance it does…
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From Monk To Punk: The Man Who Missed The Sixties.
Last week I mentioned being out and about again, ‘meeting all sorts of interesting people.’ No sooner had I typed the words than the phone rang and I found myself speaking to one of the most interesting people on the…
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Brighton Lockdown Quiz: When Did Brighton Have Three Piers?
Firstly, I’m sorry not have posted anything for a while. The truth is I have been very busy, out and about meeting all sorts of lovely people and buying some great books too. The first lockdown led to a lot…
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Swimming Against The Tide: 19th Century Brighton Women.
This little pamphlet was issued in 1987 by Brighton Council’s Women Committee ‘as a contribution to Taking Liberties Week.’ Put together by Helen Rees, it has wonderful images of wonderful women who fought against the patriarchal establishment in Brighton and…
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The Theme Of The Crime; or, Antiques, Books and Collections.
The Antiques Trade Gazette recently issued a ‘book special’ number to coincide with the London Book Fairs. There were, of course, no real book fairs this year but the PBFA and some other organisations ran ‘Virtual Fairs.’ The magazine (the…
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