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 April, at Oxford Brookes University, Gipsy Lane, OX3 0BP. Then it’s Lewes, on Saturday 10th May, and TWO big fairs in London the following week.
The book shown here was published by H. Slatter in 1843 and it is surprisingly easy to find. Not, however, in this condition.
It is difficult to understand how this 182-year-old white paperback can look as it was made yesterday. One possible answer is of course that the book was collected fairly early and therefore looked after carefully. A clue might be that ‘AB 1844’ on the front cover.
It does not match the inscription inside, where a Mr Griffith notes that he bought the book in Oxford and stayed at The Angel Inn. The Inn, alas, did not fare so well as the book: it was a coaching inn and business declined rapidly with the coming of the railways. It was finally demolished in 1876. Paper beats stone!
Please get in touch on 07769 318895 if you have a collection of books to sell. I do so many book fairs that I always need to buy new stock. A quick photograph of the books on the shelves is a great way to start.
H Slatter, Oxford., 1843. Reprint. The book was reprinted many times, this copy is dated 1843.
