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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A Book Fair Comes To Brighton – October 30th, 2021
Here is some good news! I am very pleased to announce that on Saturday October 30th there will be a PBFA Book Fair in Brighton at the Racecourse. A book fair is like a huge second-hand bookshop coming to town…
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Shoreham on Sea: Lights! Camera! Glamour!
The story of Shoreham’s bohemian seaside village is well known but still remarkable. In the 1880s the shingle spit between the River Adur and the sea was used by fishermen, some working from old railway carriages bought from Brighton. One…
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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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