An interview with Tommygun books
Biblio checks in with Tommygun books to learn more about their book business, collecting interests and more! To view and shop their inventory, click here.
When did you get started in bookselling?
I started about 30 years ago.
What drew you to bookselling?
My mother was an antique dealer and big reader. I couldn't afford antiques but enjoyed reading and the book collecting was slightly more arcane and open to finding treasures.
Did you have any mentors in becoming a bookseller?
Not really, Ive forgotten his name but the main guy from Any amount of books in Charringcross rd, London was fun and knowledgeable and reasonably fair.
What are your specialties as a dealer?
Buy low sell high :) I like illustrated books, even comics and Faction, fiction in a factual period of time. Modern first editions mainly and books that others find collectable.
What's the most amazing book you've ever sold?
I've had a few which passed through my hands before the Internet was around and able to sharpen my knowledge. Orwells "Down and out in Paris" without a DW. 2 copies of Ballards "Drowned world" both in good nick. "To kill a mockingbird (not great but with a DW) and Piere Boulles "Monkey Planet" in great condition.
What is your favorite part of being a bookseller?
The thrill of the hunt and wasting time browsing the shops and the books.
Do you have an open storefront or have you in the past?
No
If so, do/did you have any bookstore pets?
No
What is your favorite bookshop (other than your own)?
Any charity shop for shopping and Cecil court in London for drooling.
What do you personally like to read? Collect?
Flashman, Hornblower, and Bond, to collect and to read.
What's your favorite book you personally own? Would you sell it, if the price were right?
The Arabian nights illustrated by Rene Bull. Sure Id sell if the price were right but I am emotionally attached to the book having read it myself and to my children. The stories have the perfect mix of mystery, fantasy and blood (sex in the other versions) which seems to enthrall children.
What one book would you buy if price were no object?
A nice copy of "The Grapes of Wrath". Not the most valuable book but one that hit me in the heart.
If you were stranded on a desert island and could bring three books, what would they be?
Am I allowed an Encyclopedia? Assuming I don't have access to Google. Maybe a collected works of Louis Macneice for me to spend time trying to understand him. A collected P.G.Wodehouse for a laugh and I guess a collected Shakespeare, after all, Ill have a lot of time. If it reality is only 3 books one would have to be a very good Dictionary. I can happily browse a dictionary for ages....or should I be getting a collected Bear Grylls survival in the outdoors book?