The London Bookshop. Parts 1 and 2 (complete).: A Pictorial Record of the Antiquarian Book trade: Portraits & Premises.

(A) The London Bookshop. Being Part One of a Pictorial Record of the Antiquarian Book trade: Portraits & Premises with prefatory reminiscence by Percy Muir.

Pinner, Private Libraries Association, 1971

Grey cloth covered boards with burgundy and gilt title band to cover and spine.

Very minor evidence of rubbing to spine extremities and corners.

Oblong (18.5 x 25cms), 95 pages, including many black and white photographs.

Limited to 1500 copies of which 700 were for sale.

Near fine.

(B) The London Bookshop. Being Part Two of a Pictorial Record of the Antiquarian Book Trade: Portraits & Premises.

Pinner, Private Libraries Association, 1977

Grey cloth covered boards with burgundy and gilt title band to cover and spine.

Cloth slightly faded with slight evidence of rubbing to spine edges. Top corner of front free end-paper creased with small tear.

Oblong (18.5 x 25cms), 75, [1, blank], [4, corrigenda to Part One + 3 blank] pages, including many black and white photographs.

Limited to 2000 copies of which 700 were for sale.

Very good+

An excellent set in the original gilt-blocked cloth. Both volumes well-preserved overall. An excellent written and pictorial record of London booksellers in the 1970s. With photographs of trade members, their bookshops (with all faults on display!), and occasional street scenes. An evocative record for anyone who remembers frequenting any/some/all of the premises recorded (19 across the 2 volumes). With, at the time of writing (and with no exaggeration), a hint of the musty smell associated with such bookshops to both volumes. A veritable touch of nostalgia (depending upon your age and past habits).

Together these 2 volumes are heavier than the average quoted in my store listings and, as a consequence, the shipping cost will be higher than that quoted in my listing. Please contact me if you wish more details.