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.
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Middle Class Cookery Book
6th October 2017Mutton dressed as lamb, anyone? This is a wonderful book from the thirties and not uncommon either, although this one is in great condition. It’s refreshing to see such an honest title too. All cookery books are middle class: today…
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The Library Of Death
28th September 2017I’ve been working on my website and have made a whole new section devoted to one of the loves of my life. Me and bibliomysteries have been together for over 20 years now and we’re still going strong. We’ve had…
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Aubrey Beardsley
9th September 2017When is a Beardsley not a Beardsley? Fans of the decadent artist will find little they recognise in this slim pamphlet privately printed in Brighton, almost certainly in 1889. The cover carries the statement ‘Reprinted from the 1888 Xmas Entertainment…
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Books As They Were Bought by Mavis Eggle
7th September 2017Books As They Were Bought is the very best guide to publishers’ bindings and I’m proud to sell copies at book fairs. Many people collect books in their original paper or cloth bindings and more and more universities are displaying…
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Ye Ancient Tome
6th September 2017This wonderful ancient vellum tome will quicken the pulse of any antiquarian seeing it on my shelf. Usually the pleasure is short lived as books like these often turn out to be very dull inside, such as a boring religious…