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A Dash around some of London's finest Bookshops
Had an hour or so to kill this morning, and thought I'd have a quick gander
at the offerings of the Charing X Road lot - Quinto, Any Amount of Books, Henry Pordes and a couple of the Cecil Court'ers' - Red Snapper and Rees O'Neill. Always feel slightly intimidated by the Cecil Court shops, due to their usually high prices, and so generally only wander into one or two - often those with a cheap table outside. To begin this frantic 'see how many shops one can visit within the hour' contest was Rees O'Neill. My, what a lovely shop, all organised, tidy, alphabetical - just right. Not too much stock, but what was there was great in selection and quality. First few volumes I picked up were G. Greene 1sts in immaculate wrappers - too pricey for this collector, End of the Affair at around £250 - Im hoping to get a similar condition copy for around £100 - am I in cuckoo land? Moved on to E. Waugh - nice copy of Scott King's - but not as good as mine, and at 4 times the price, £40 - I wasnt hopeful. The reissue of Vile Bodies - hmm, looks suspiciously like the one I was outbid for on eBay a few months back - went for £7.50 - this was £50ish. The Sermons of Monsignor Knox - nice, slightly worn/browned - £200+ if I can remember correctly. But then a £25 copy of The Loved One, with some wear to spine, but not priceclipped, was snapped up. So - thats the end of that shop, as my wallet dictated. Over the way, (about 10 yards) to Red Snapper Books - again a nice cheapie table outside lured me in - Picked up the reissue of Auden's New Year Letter for £3, marked down from £30 - very apt, I though, esp. at that price - Rest of the stock was fantastic, if a bit centered on Beat/etc generation - but sadly out of my price range - didnt dare inquire of the Jacketed 1st of Brideshead in the window - nor the 1st OFOTCN by Kesey. Challenging the ravaging winds of Charing Cross Road, I arrived at Quinto - and I must say that I was quite dissapointed. 25% sale starting that day didnt whet my appetite, as IMHO the prices were 30- 50% too high to begin with - one dealer, on hearing this felt that it was an ominous sign of a company needing sales...However, the entire stock is to be changed in early Janurary - so hopefully better pickings next year! Any Amount of Books was much more interesting - and a nicer looking shop, but unforunately it was a matter of in - look at 1sts and Lit Crit for my authors - find nothing, and out - I was in a rush, as the window of Henry Pordes appeared fantastic, with leather bound 7 Pillars, and Vellum Letters of Gertrude Bell! Pordes wins my vote for the finest shop - lovely atmosphere, bubbly, interesting and knowledgeable staff/managers - great selection of Antiquarian, rare, secondhand and remainded books - all at reasonable prices. Again no striking firsts unlike the shops in Cecil Court - but cheaper prices - one customer commented that a certain art book was £45 in un autre magasin, and only £18.95 in Pordes - another satisfied customer. By far the busiest shop with constant ringing of the tills. When I had found the T.E. Lawrence section I was ecstatic to spot the 1st Uk tome of an authorised biography - for only £22.50 - it damn near killed me the rest of the day on Oxford Street and in Knightsbridge - but it is home, intact, and in its fine/fine, unread condition looks superb on the shelf - Almost bought a copy for double that price a few weeks ago. Leather was simply sumptuous here, if a bit pricey - but I admit the condition was excellent, and on the whole, original. Wishing everyone a nice Christmas, and a brag filled New Year! Cheers, Tom L-M |
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#2
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