Jane~ On Being A Book Collector

Visiting a Bookshop is, I know, a treat. But, if on entering you had one eye looking for something interesting to read and the other on finding a new acquisition for your Collection the visit could be even more enjoyable.

So, this Collection. What is it?

In simple terms it's deciding to start a Collection of related books. This could be editions of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice published before 1960, books with your name in the title. Any subject or element of publishing which interests you.

My Friend collects vintage editions of P & P which includes both English and foreign translations. It gives her so much pleasure beavering away through vintage bookshelves, always searching for that edition she's not seen before. Jubilation when she found a copy in a Greek Bookshop. She annotates each book with the where and when of its origins. Sometimes adding a special note such as "day in Brighton got soaked".

This Christmas I gave a friend who is obsessed with Foxes a copy of Fox by Margaret Wild. This book has hauntingly vivid illustrations and I knew she'd love it. Inside I wrote "Happy Christmas saw this book and thought of you. Also wonder if this could be the first of your collection of Fox books. When you're a hundred years old you could have a rather special collection of fiction and non-fiction books about Foxes". I hope I sowed the seed.

Remembering one Saturday just before Tier 4. A Lady approached me in our Vintage section holding a vintage edition of Eleanor Farjeon's poems illustrated by Edward Ardizonne. "Look at this" she said rather jubilantly. She collected Ardizzone but didn't have that particular edition. Sheer joy.

There aren't any rules about becoming a Collector, only those you set yourself. Perhaps there should be a Health Warning element but I don't really think so. Some obsessions are good for you.

Am I a Collector, I would say yes. I've numerous editions of Virginia Woolf's Mrs Dalloway. Collected not for the text, which I adore, but for the interesting way Publishers have perceived this book. Some jacket designs are so wrong for my beloved book others just perfect. In November Penguin rather daringly published a PINK clothbound edition with a graphic aeroplane pattern designed by Coralie Bickford-Smith. Controversial. It will join its sisters.

So, if you're already a Collector Hello and if you're about to start Welcome that's I good way to start 2021.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Jane