Introducing the Cornstalk Gang

Peter Howard - In response to the ABAA Newsletter

2011-07-28T22:21:00.000-07:00

I first met Peter in Tokyo in 1990. I was walking along the streets of the Ginza when I spotted this man, dessed untidily (who am I to make a comment like this) , and wearing a tee shirt with the ABAA logo displayed. So I approached him and introduced myself as a bookseller from Sydney. He introduced me to his wife Allison and we became firm friends, He invited - no - demanded that I come and stay with him in California which I subsequently did.

Peter and I met in many cities in the world and went scouting together. I loved his love of books and his knowledge and I had never met anyone like him and I am not expecting to.

His generosity was fantastic. If I was coming to San Francisco he would demand to know when my plane was arriving so he could pick me up and was offended when I did not give him the infomation. Sometimes I stayed in his house but more often I stayed in a hotel and this always caused him to berate me. He could not understand why I would stay in a hotel in preference to his house.

I spent a few hours with Peter the day after the last San Francisco Bookfair and we both knew that it was farewell and we said tender words to each other as we hugged as I was leaving.

Of course Peter was mad but I loved him and his madness inspired me. He could be rude and shout and he did shout at me more thn once but this shouting never upset me. And I used to laugh when Alison was present and she would chide him for his rudeness. Alison was the big part in their successful partnership and Peter would not have been the man he was without her. She provided a soft and gentle side to him and their love, care and concern for each other was always there to see.

Peter cared for his fellow booksellers and collected many eccentric and normal booksellers around him. He believed in bookselling as a great profession and in his eyes it was the most noble profession. He performed many acts of great generosity to booksellers and at times was almost a charity.

One of the great highlights of my bookselling career has been my friendship with this mad, eccentric, lovable and generous man.

I shall miss Peter.

Paul Feain
Cornstalk Bookshop

Royal Books / Steinbach / McConnell / Fang Ling / PBFA & The wrap

2011-07-18T23:11:00.000-07:00

Kevin Johnston from Royal Books

The first time I met Kevin was at the Colorado Rare Book School. He was a lecturer there. He got up and spoke about his past life and what excites him about book selling. He loves books about movies, which isn't surprising really because he wrote two wonderful bibliographies called “The Dark Page 1 and 2. Illustrated volumes of first editions books that that inspired films in dustwrappers.

On Kevin's stand a poster of a Hitchock film. “The 39 Steps” that was originally a book by John Buchan. The film staring Robert Donat and Madeleine Carroll, from 1935.

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Michael Steinbach – Rare Books

I remember the first time I met Michael. He had a grin on his face from ear to ear and he wore the same grin today. Another charming man with beautiful books. He is a very respected man in the book trade and at one time was on the committee of Ilab. Michael may not look it, but he has been trading in the book business for a very long time.

I look over his stand. He has some very graphical beautiful books. I grin back at him and say "Those books are a little bit naughty". Hidden, although not that well, on the bottom shelf sit a sort of pillow book.

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McConnell Fine Books in Deal, Kent. UK

ROUSSEAU, Jean-Jacques

The Confessions of Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
Preface by Jules Claretie.
Illustrated by Maurice Leloir. (In English).

ROUSSEAU

The first time I met Nick was in our shop in Sydney. He was visiting a relative, but still manage some time to go to some bookshops while he was in town. He has been specialising fine bindings for over 30 years. And I can see why he does it.

Why not surround yourself with full leather gilt bindings?

When I see his books, I think of learned gentleman sitting in their study or library in front of a fire reading and sipping tea.

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Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association - Another fair

This fair was inviting. Not quite as impressive as Olympia fair, the stalls are just tables of books. It feels like an old school hall or market. The books are not as grand, but the atmosphere was slightly more exciting. Why? I think it is because people hope to find a bargain.

I definitely had fun rummaging. For me it was like a good house call. You know the collection in front of you has something good in it, but you just haven't found it yet.

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Fang Ling Jong

Fang-Ling Jong and myself

Fang-Ling and I worked together during the first two International Antiquarian Bookfairs in Hong Kong. She was a very hard working publicist. I found out that she has moved on to bigger and better things. She was in London to promote her new book: - Tales of Bookshops. Tawain, Vista, 2010.

".... uniquely exploring the Western book world through an Asian's eyes; though its text is in Chinese, its color photography is unmatched in any language, with an emphasis on antiquarian bookshops, particularly in the Bay Area." (www.abaa.org)

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The wrap

I sit on the plane and reflect. Have I had a successful trip? Well, the answer is, yes. I spoke to many people about the fair. Most people seemed enthusiastic about it and they all seemed to be talking to one another about it. I walked around the room and people I had never met already knew who I was and what I was here for.

And then I thought about the other booksellers. Did they have a successful fair? Well, I know that a lot is riding on a book fair. Booksellers not only need to be at the fair but they have to bring their books to sell. They are heavy and awkward to carry. They often travel great distances. But this is only half the battle. Once books and booksellers arrive they battle different time zones, unfamiliar and uncomfortable surrounding, different languages, lack of sleep and small installation crisis's. They need to stand for long periods of time and be polite to colleagues and customers. If they can do all this and then only if they get a lucky will they may have a successful fair.

So, why and how do they do it?

Booksellers are a rare breed. A friend once said that it was a "gentleman's trade". But it is much, much more than this. A book selling is a as much about the books as about the friendships made along the way.

Michael Graves-Johnston

2011-07-18T00:15:00.000-07:00

My first book fair was the International fair held in Melbourne. At the time I was young and attending university. I worked part time for Paul at his second hand store in Newtown. I had never been to any book fair before so it was a real learning experience. Hordes of people came though the doors to fill the beautiful Melbourne Exhibition Hall. They ask me questions that I was not yet able to answer. People threw money into Paul's hands. I wrote receipt after receipt and gently wrapped the books up for the customers.

At the end of the first day I was utterly exhausted, but Paul said we were going to dinner and I should wear something nice. We walked into the centre of town and I was taken up a flight of stairs to a very nice Chinese restaurant. Paul walked over to a large table with two people sitting at it. It was Michael Graves-Johnston (Oscar) and his wife Carol. We sat and ate beautiful food and sipped delicious wine. The book sellers reminisced about old times, joking and laughing. A very pleasant night.

It was at this point that I figured out what book selling was really all about. Book fairs are hard work, but it is the friendships made along the way that are important.

Every time I see Oscar and Carol I think about this moment, a moment that altered my path in life.

Michael Graves-Johnston display

Michael Graves-Johnston has been a bookseller for over thirty years. He specializes in Africa, the Pacific, and tribal and ancient civilisations.

Oscar, Paul, Ellie, Gabrielle, Carol

The Opening

2011-06-30T16:55:00.000-07:00

Just before the opening I head outside for a quick bit to eat. There is a long line of people trailing down the street waiting to get into the book fair. I enter the hall that is now filled with nervous booksellers.

When the doors open and the people flood in the temperature rises within the venue. People zip from stand to stand hoping they haven't missed out. These customers may look like gentlemen, but when they are after a book you better move out of their way!

The space stays lively until a few minutes to close. People walk from the venue with bags of books under their arms. I think this is a good sign.

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James Hallgate of Lucius Books

James would have to be one of the most level headed and lovely booksellers that I have ever met. There is always an air of calm about this man, even when setting up for a fair one of the most exhausting times. From time to time James will visit us in Australia. He will fly all around the world to get that special book. The books he has on offer look pristine. He deals in modern firsts, in many ways a very tricky field. Whinnie the Pooh and artwork for a James bond cover are amongst his wares.

Edmund Brumfitt from Pickering and Chatto

2011-06-27T17:27:00.000-07:00

Edmund Brumfitt from Pickering and Chatto

Edmund Brumfitt was one of the first international bookseller that I ever met. I'd just started working at The Cornstalk Bookshop and one afternoon had gone to an old friend's house for a get together. Edmund was there and spoke of a book shop in London that he worked called Pickering and Chatto. Quite a few years later I walk through Olympia fair I run into his familiar face. I ask him how he is going.

He has a big grin on his face as he tells me that he is well and still enjoying book selling after 12 years. Pickering and Chatto have been in operation for nearly two hundred years so Edmund is a relatively young bookseller. His stand is filled with interesting nick-nacks and ephemeral items. My eyes dashed around excitedly. I was unsure about which thing looked most interesting and so I said. "What is your favourite thing on the stand?" He picks up and international fair book with glossy elaborately decorated covers. Within the covers is a sort of scrap book with among other things photographs and memorial cards. It was a really lovely item, and I immediately understood why he chose it.

Opening Morning

2011-06-26T19:25:00.000-07:00

At the beginning of the fair, there is an exciting buzz. Trading has already begun before the doors have even opened.

Some people are stressfully putting the finishing details on there stands at the very last minute. Others have grins on their faces as they say hello to their good friends and colleagues. It is the greatest moment in every book fair. A room full of hope.

The books here are fantastic and at times to me unbelievable. Some things here I have only read about in books. Today, I look up close and even touch some pages.

There are beautiful books all over the hall. I like beautiful books, but today my favourite books are the fashion books. There are displayed men in military uniforms and women in various dresses. These images often coloured by hand. It is at this point today that I think, I was to open my own bookshop today, this is the material I'd like to deal in. Of course yesterday it was philosophical books, the day before medical books. But here lies the pleasure of a book fair. You see those books, those objects that hold something important in your heart, are important for you because of some small memory you have as a child or an adult.

Frank Werner of Brockhaus Antiquarian from Germany

As I strolled the book fair this morning, I met a man who quite striking, turns out to be a charming and jolly man with an obvious love for ethnology.

I see some objects on his stand, things that I have never seen before. Palm bark books with a language that I don't recognise, and next to these, bamboo sticks about the length of a ruler with a similar script. Frank told me that these books are from a Batik cannibalistic tribe who designed their own language possibly before the Europeans. They were very beautiful objects, ones that I would have like to touch but didn't dare because of their meaning in history.

Cannibal palm leaf book from Brockhaus Antiquarian

The were four objects in total. The first two were recipes for magical and medical positions which were illustrated with pictures to show the causes of the ailments. Another objects, this one bamboo, he tells me is a threatening letter. “oh?” I say and he replies "I would not like to receive a threatening letter from a cannibal." I nodded my head in agreement.

A fun day at set-up!

2011-06-23T20:30:00.000-07:00

I went to the book fair yesterday and helped and watched most people set up. It was interesting just to be there to watch people and not have the stress of the situation take over me. I was very impressed by the use of porters at the show. It gave it a much nicer quality than if you have to do these things like moving boxes around yourself.

Douglas Stewart Fine Books display

I walked around the fair and said hello to all those people I recognised. It was nice to see so many familiar faces. Although it was a little daunting to see how many people I will be introducing myself to. I don't think much will happen today because it is the first day of trade and I would hate to get in people's way.

After the fair, I went to dinner with Douglas Stewart. It was his first time exhibiting at Olympia. He explained that coming to this fair, was something he aspired to as a young bookseller. It was very obvious how excited he was and how much it meant to him. In celebration he produced a very sexy catalogue. A high gloss thick card with a strikingly beautiful cover. He told me that while he is at the fair he will be sending this same catalogue to his special customers!

For dinner we went to this cute little place called Maggie's in Kensington Street. It had hanging baskets of lavender and posies of dried roses and large bowls of fruit for decoration. The lighting was low and intimate and there was a jolly feeling within the cosy atmosphere. The meal and the staff was lovely. I had a great time with Douglas and his sweet, smart assistant Caitlyn Littlewood.

Caitlyn Littlewood and Douglas Stewart

Douglas Stewart began his life in the book trade when he was still at school. He now runs a very successful business in Prahan, Melbourne that specialises in rare, collectible and antiquarian books. To find out more go to his beautiful web site: http://www.douglasstewart.com.au

2011-06-22T20:09:00.000-07:00

I've been to London dozens of times, but this is the first time I arrived feeling well rested. I jumped on a train because it didn't seem too difficult and I was right! It cost one quarter the price and is so much more efficient than staying in London traffic in a taxi. Fifteen minutes to Paddington Station and I'm sure there are only a few stops until my final destination. It's 6:30am here and I don't quite like the idea of waking up my hosts. If it was me, I'd still be in bed.

When I exit the Heathrow Express at the Station, I am blown away by the architectural feat of the arches spanning the space, and an art Deco pattern strengthening the impression of scale.

***

The last time I wrote I was at Paddington train station drinking a tea and eating a croissant. Europe and the UK are the only places that you know, that if even if they look like the shop is a little dodgy, maybe even a bit too fast foody, that the pastry is going to be delicious. Buttery, flaky and crispy and soft all at the same time. I think this time I visit I'm going to enjoy myself.

It took me a while to get myself down to the right platform in the correct direction. The train was arriving on the platform so I hopped on. It was the wrong train, but I figured it out before the next station. I hopped off and checked that the next train has my destination. I also had a chance to check out the driver -a Rastifarian, eating a sandwich out of foil with a grin on his face. One hand on the brake the other on the sandwich.

I switched trains, cursing at all the stairs and the weight of my suitcase. I was really tough on my limit, only one pair of shoes and an outfit for each day and I wondered where this wait weight was coming from. I curse the ream of photocopies and the bottle of alcohol that I bought as a gift for my host. I really hope he likes it.

I arrived at my station with very little hassle, and probably a little too early for my host who was still having a shower when the door bell rang. His daughter answered the door, still in her pyjamas. I introduced myself as politely as I could and told her why I had arrived with a big suitcase. Paul hadn't told my host what time I would be arriving and was rather shocked to find me sitting at his breakfast table.

As we caught up my host's dog George bounced around begging for a walk. My host quickly showed me to the bathroom with a bath and then went off to walk the dog. It had been such a long time since I had had a bath. It was very very nice to soak, especially after such a long journey. I had been going since 830am on the 7th and it was now 5pm on the 8th in Sydney but breakfast time in London.

After getting ready I went down for another chat with my host to find out if I could help in any way. He basically said no, so I went for a long walk to Brixton Village. It was fantastic going past so many open spaces, having parks in the middle of the city. Nobody seemed to use them, but that doesn't really surprise me as it was cold enough (in summer) to get a bit chilly around the edges.

I walked past all the shops of Brixton, noticing firstly how many of them were closed and secondly the the feel of optimism had left. It was quite obvious to me that in the year since I had been here last that London had taken a very hard hit.

I started to get a little hungry and went into a supermarket and checked out things that we don't usually find in Australia. Pomegranate seeds ready to eat with a spoon. Big juicy luscious raspberries and so many varieties of yoghurt and chocolate. I buy some raspberries and vanilla yoghurt and have a decadent feed in the park.

The park that I choose has workmen finishing a children's playground that has a castle among other cool things. Three men sweep, blow leaves and tidy the area. They work hard and don't take a break. In Sydney, it seems that they are forever having a 'smoko'. As I sit in the park a light breeze starts up and I begin to shiver. Buttoning up my coat, I start the journey back to the warm house that awaits me. That is where I am now. Curling up in a doona or duvet as they may call it here. I think a little lunchtime nap is in order.

Olympia Bookfair

2011-06-05T18:24:00.000-07:00

One of the reason I love working as a bookseller is how often I get to travel and meet interesting people. Tomorrow I jump on a plane and head for London to promote International Antiquarian Bookfair in Hong Kong. I will be attending Olympia Bookfair, one of the world's most prestigious fairs. In the next few weeks I will tell you my experiences.

An oral history of the bookshop

2011-05-31T23:13:00.000-07:00

Between trips to Spain, Germany and Melbourne, Paul squeezed an interviewed by Virginia McCleod as part of the Sydney City Council oral history. This small section of the interview will give you insight into the running of our book shop, collecting and the book trade in Australia and around the world.

click on this link http://www.cornstalk.com.au/interview.htm

More highlights from The James Kemsley Norman Lindsay Collection!

2011-03-30T21:59:00.000-07:00

Featuring Oblation with Norman Lindsay's original rejected cover art bound in, an unpublished novel by Linday - A Misfit in Souls - with original pen and ink drawings, The Health Reader illustrated by a young Lindsay, Harry Morant's Bushman and Buccaneer and the beautifully illustrated and extremely rare children's title, Australian Nursery Rimes.

All items are available for viewing as part of The James Kemsley Norman Lindsay Collection which will be sold as one lot on Monday, 18 April at The Sebel Hotel, Surry Hills. For more information please see www.sydneyrarebookauctions.com

Please click here to view our video tour!

Another video tour from Paul!

2011-03-30T19:24:00.000-07:00

Paul takes us on a tour of the complete Idriess Collection which will be auctioned as one lot as part of the first Sydney Rare Book Auction on Monday, 18 April, 2011. This collection can be viewed on Saturday 16 April and Sunday 17 April at The Sebel Hotel, 28 Albion St, Surry Hills. To view the illustrated, online catalogue please visit www.sydneyrarebookauctions.com

Please click here to view the video.

Check out the best bits from The James Kemsley Norman Lindsay Collection!

2011-03-24T23:05:00.001-07:00

Click here to watch Paul take us on a tour of The James Kemsley Norman Lindsay Collection!

Paul Feain takes us on a video tour!

2011-03-24T22:36:00.000-07:00

Please click here to watch SRBA Director, Paul Feain as he takes us on a video tour of some of the wonderful highlights from the upcoming SRBA auction. Includes an original 1916 Henry Lawson manuscript, a 1617 atlas that includes a map noting Terra Australis, a signed Patrick White novel and a first edition of Sturt's exploration of South Australia.

To view the fully illustrated, online catalogue please visit http://www.sydneyrarebookauctions.com/

Exciting New Venture! Sydney Rare Book Auctions

2011-02-03T22:10:00.000-08:00

An extraordinary collection of Norman Lindsay books assembled by the
artist of the iconic Australian comic strip Ginger Meggs will feature
in the first auction of Sydney Rare Books Auctions, a new auction
house specializing in rare and fine books, photographs and
memorabilia.

James Kemsley, who drew Ginger Meggs for over 25 years, began
collecting Norman Lindsay when in his twenties and formed the most
comprehensive collection of Norman Lindsay's printed work ever
assembled. It contains not only all his important books with etchings
but also original unpublished material. Included is a copy of
Lindsay's own version of the Rabelais with 23 original pen and ink
drawings by Lindsay bound in to the text, and books with original
drawings by Lindsay and many signed and limited editions. The
collection is also strong in ephemera and exhibition catalogues and
will interest all Lindsayiana collectors and lovers of Australian art
of that era. Mr. Kemsley passed away in 2007 and the collection has
been consigned for auction by his widow.

The auction will also feature a large collection of art books, strong
in European and American art, but with a good selection of Australian
titles, the property of a retired school teacher from one of Sydney's
premier schools. Photography books and bookplates are included among
many other lots to be auctioned.

Sydney Rare Book Auctions will schedule auctions throughout the year
and the first auction will be held in April at the Sebel, Albion Street, Surrey
Hills. Managing director Paul Feain, owner of Cornstalk Bookshop in Glebe
and a leading member of Australia's rare book community and general
secretary of ILAB, the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers,
will conduct the auctions.

Paul and his two fellow directors of Sydney Rare Book Auctions, Ellie
Aroney and Emily Ingleton have between them over 50 years of
experience in the rare book trade.

Ellie Aroney is a graduate of the Colorado Rare Book School and has
worked in the book trade in Sydney for over 10 years. Ellie has a wealth
of international antiquarian bookselling experience having organised
the last four Hong Kong Antiquarian Bookfairs as well as running
stands at major bookfairs in Europe, America, China as well as Australia.

Emily Ingleton comes from one of the most famous book collecting
families in Australia. Her grandfather amassed one of the best
Australiana collections ever assembled and her father has been an
antiquarian bookseller and publisher for 50 years in America and Japan.
Emily has worked in the book trade in Japan, Australia and China.

Sydney Rare Book Auction will occur in April. The Norman Lindsay
collection will be sold as one lot, but there are many other lots for sale
too. To have a sneak peak at the collection click on the following link.

http://www.cornstalk.com.au/SRBA

Any queries please ring us.
+612 9552 1070
Kind regards,
Paul Feain
Ellie Aroney
Emily Ingleton

Paul's Report on International Antiquarian Bookfair in Hong Kong 2010

2011-01-20T14:24:00.000-08:00

International Antiquarian Bookfair in Hong Kong 2010

The fourth International Antiquarian Bookfair in Hong Kong was held in December 2010 at Number 1 Pacific Place and it was very successful.

Around the world we keep hearing stories of the great financioal crisis, the Euro Crisi, the overprinting of the US $ and other stories of doom and gloom.

However there was no evidence of any of this at the book fair.

There were forty one exhibitors from France, United Kingdom, USA, Australia, Taiwan, Thailand, Japan, Italy, Spain, Sweden and of course Hong Kong. It was a true International gathering of Antiquarian Booksellers.

Over one thousand people attended the fair over the three day period. And these visitors showed their appreciation of the material on offer by opening their wallets and making purchases.

Many rare and beautiful historical books, documents, maps and posters were displayed for sale. There was a great variety of subjects covering all geographic areas of the world with a particular emphasis on Asia and more especially Hong Kong and China.

Many books and maps which are very scarce were displayed. The material was mostly from the West and in Western languages with the majority being in English but French and German language material was also available as were a smaller number of Chinese items.

Total sales at the fair exceeded $8,000,000. The most expensive item sold was a hand written letter from Chairman Mao. Decorative items such as posters and maps were popular as well as ancient books with colour plates, especially those with a Chinese theme.

The customers at the fair came from Mainland China, from Hong Kong and other parts of Asia as well as Australia and Europe. There was an equal mixture of both local and expatriate customers.

The fair was considered by most exhibitors to be very successful and many have already signed up to attend the event which will be held on the first week end of December 2011.

Paul J. Feain

Hong Kong Bookfair - A place to sell books

2011-01-09T16:51:00.000-08:00

This year at the International Bookfair in Hong Kong some booksellers said it was their best ever. I was told by one bookseller that they sold half their stock and by others that it was their best sales yet. There were some big purchases at the fair, the highest 1.2 million Hong Kong dollars.

We saw some familiar faces as well as some new comers. Booksellers are no longer just coming to experience Hong Kong they are coming for business. Mainland China is buying up big in all areas. It is an exciting time for book selling.

Below are some photos that I took during the fair.

Amanda Morris from Allsworth Rare Books

Barbara Grigor-Taylor from Cavendish Rare Books
grigorbooks@aol.com

Barbara Hince from Kenneth Hince Old and Fine Books

Bernard Shapero from Bernard J. Shapero Rare Books

Bjorn Lowendahl from Mulberry Tree Rare Books
info@mulberrytreerarebooks.net

Cathy and David Lilburn from Antipodean Books, Maps and Prints

Christian Jonkers from Jonkers

Cynthia from Swindon Books

Daphne and Maria from Sage Communications - Our publicity power team.

Douglas Stewart from Douglas Stewart Rare Books

Douglas and Barbara

Lorence Johnson from Lok Man Rare Books

Me - a little exhausted from organising the fair and Cornstalk's Stand

Emily and Nicholas Ingleton from the Tuttle Corporation

ingleton@tuttletokyo.com

Fiona Kells from Book of Kells

Fredrik Muller and Co. from Fredrick Muller Rare Books

Fredrik Muller

Gerald Stodolski from Gerald AJ Stodols ki

Ian Smith from Bernard Quaritch

James Hallgate from Lucius Books and Pom Harrington from Peter Harrington

James Hallgate

Jenny Allsworth from Allsworth Rare Books

Josh and Douglas

Josh Carey from Bondi Books and Lorence Johnson from Lok Man Rare Books

Josh Carey Bondi Books

Justin Schiller and Dennis Davis from Battledore Ltd.

Katherine Spears from Bernard Quartich

Mireille Romand from Galerie Documents

Mistuo Nitta from Yushodo Ltd

Nigel Firth from Highgrove Florilegium

Pablo Butcher and Yves Azsemar from Indosiam Rare Books
pablo.butcher@wanadoo.fr

Pom Harrington from Peter Harrington

Pom and Ian

Rob Rulon-Miller from Rulon-Miller Books

Kazuo Namikawa from Ogawatosho - A seriously funny bookseller - known mostly for selling really cool books, but in quiet times he played air drums, warmed up for swimming races and generally made people giggle.

If you would like to exhibit or attend Hong Kong Bookfair please email me at admin@cornstalk.com.au

Email from Paul Hong Kong Bookfair

2010-11-28T21:53:00.000-08:00

I just got an excited email from Paul. He has been doing publicity for Hong Kong International Antiquarian Bookfair all week. Below are some of the images and text that Paul sent me.

The first bunch of pics are taken at Yves Azamar's Indosiam Rare Books shop. Its less than half the size of our front room and we had about 15 people in there.

The photos are the film crew for La Dolce Vita show being made on rare books and the bookfair.

Thats Yves with Anitta who is my minder this time round.

There are more Star Ferry and Harbour shots.

The next lot of pics are at Picture This Gallery where I was interviewed by the journalist from Hong Kong popular music magazine who were fascinated by the original programme from Woodstock. This comes from Lucius Books and is signed by Jimmi Hendrix.

The other interview at Picture this was by China Daily and the journalist loved The Punishments of China book as well as the original gouache paintings done in Canton in the 1830s..

Then the fruit market in Kowloon with pics of fruits or vegetables some of which I did not know what they were and no one spoke English to tell me.

There is a Taylor working from a very tiny space - smaller than under our staircase and the sewing machine looked older than me so it was definitely ancient.

The animal head and feet were laid out like they were a delicacy. Wei Jing might be able to tell you what the animal is called. My Cantonese was not good enough to get an answer

Then there are the street meat and fish markets.

I met Cynthia today and tomorrow am lunching with Chris Li and Cynthia before an interview with I think the China Economic Daily or some such paper

Paul

Lights Camera Action - Hong Kong International Antiquarian Bookfair 2010

2010-10-28T21:52:00.000-07:00

Streets of Hong Kong

If you didn’t already know, The Cornstalk Bookshop is one of three companies (Yushodo and Swindons Books are the others) that organise the Hong Kong International Antiquarian Bookfair.

This week Paul travelled to Hong Kong to publicize the fair and he came back with a surprising amount of energy. I asked him how it went.

All gussied up for the press.

It seems that he had a grueling schedule with one interview after another. He even did a live radio interview and is also part of a documentary about antiquarian books made for the local life style channel. Quite the celebrity!

I ask him what the Press found most interesting and he said, “Oh, the press loved the Pillowbook. There were lots of oos and ahs.”

The Pillowbook

[EROTICA].

Chinese Pillowbook Album

Erotic album featuring 6 full page colour printed leaves with Chinese text opposite, untitled cloth covered album. Leaves a little soiled and browned, cloth a little browned with minor wear.

(circa 1936).

Pillowbooks such as this were very popular in China and were often given to sons as part of their sex education on the occasion of their marriage and in turn the albums were often shared by the son with his new bride on their wedding night. Although erotic art has been popular in China for well over 1000 years unfortunately there has been a considerable destruction of Chinese Pillowbooks due, in part, to the influence of European missionaries and to Confucian influences so they are not as commonly found as may be expected.

A$975.00 [supplied by Sally Burdon of Asia Bookroom]

Busy days with Hong Kong Skyscrapers in the background.
Television reporter and Virginia

Another object that the press were interested in was this Signed Karl Marx book:

Marx’s ‘ideas have transformed the study of economics, history, geography, sociology and literature.

INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR FOUR DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION:
AN EXCEPTIONAL COPY

MARX, Karl. Das Kapital. Kritik der politischen Oekonomie … Erster Band. Buch I: Der Produktionsprocess des Kapitals … Hamburg, Otto Meissner, 1867.

Bernard Quaritch Ltd. of London will have a rare first edition of the first volume of Das Kapital, for sale at the Hong Kong Antiquarian Bookfair 2010. The only one to appear in Marx’s lifetime; one of 1000 copies printed, this copy was inscribed in Marx’s distinctive hand, on the verso of the title-page ‘To Professor E.S. Beesly Lond. 18 Sept. 1867. Karl Marx’. Two further volumes were published from his manuscripts by Engels, in 1885 and 1894 respectively.

Presentation copy, one of a handful of copies inscribed by Marx just four days after publication, probably upon receipt from the publisher. The first volume of Das Kapital was published on September 14th in Hamburg. The work was published in printed wrappers, and must have been sent to Marx thus, or in sheets. From September 13 to 16, Marx was in Manchester with Friedrich Engels and Paul Lafargue, discussing how to obtain advance publicity for the work. Marx clearly sat down to inscribe copies on September 18th, Draper recording copies inscribed to Beesley and five others, with two other copies also sent.

Edward Spencer Beesly (1831-1915) was a positivist and historian who studied at Wadham College, Oxford before becoming a Professor of History at University College, London. From 1860, his radical agenda included promoting international solidarity among working-class leaders. He helped organize the most important pro-Union demonstration in England during the American Civil War, and he chaired the historic meeting (28 September 1864) advocating co-operation between English and French workers in support of Polish nationalism, which led to the formation of the International Working Men’s Association (the First International), soon dominated by his friend Karl Marx’ (Martha S. Vogeler in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography).

Marx’s ‘ideas have transformed the study of economics, history, geography, sociology and literature.’ (Francis Wheen, in his introduction to Karl Marx, 1999).

A magnificent copy, with a splendid association.
[Supplied by Ian Smith and Katherine Spears from Bernard Quaritch]

Paul turns his camera on the press.

Thousands of photographs were taken of Paul and this is the only image of he got of them.

Virginia from Sage Communications who looked after Paul while he was there.

Paul loves his trip on the Ferry from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island

Hong Kong International Antiquarian Bookfair publicity does not end with this trip, Paul will return next month to do more of the same, but for now we are glad to have him home.

Paul and Gabrielle's Trip

2010-10-13T18:11:00.000-07:00

Paul and Gabrielle were away for two weeks. From what the stories told me and the images that have surfaced, they seemed to giggle a lot all the while discussing very important matters relating to books.

Here Tom and Michael discuss the affects of sunlight on books.
Left: Tom Congalton Between the Covers and also Vice President of ILAB
Right: Michael Steinbach Antiquariat Michael Steinbach

Gabrielle and Carol milling about in the Streets of Bologna.
Left: Carol Graves-Johnston wife of Oscar Graves-Johnston. London Bookseller.

The conference visited the Library of Chained books.

Carol and Oscar

More giggles....
Paul and Penelope Daly (New York Bookseller)

On the way back Paul and Gay visited Peter Howard of Serendipity Books in San Francisco.

While they were away we had our own fun at the bookshop.

The Cornstalk Gang blowing out the candles for the 30th birthday.

Cornstalk go to Brisbane

2010-10-06T21:26:00.000-07:00

Last month Paul, Wei Jing and I went to Brisbane for the ANZAAB Conference.

ANZAAB is the Australian and New Zealand Association of Antiquarian Booksellers http://www.anzaab.com .

The conference is designed as a platform for discussion for booksellers. We learnt all sorts of stuff about books as each specialist got up and shared a few secrets. We even gave a talk about the world of book selling through ebay.

It was really lovely to meet with our friends and chat about books as well as eating some yummy food. The relaxed, yet organized feel is attributed to Jorn Harbeck of Harbeck Rare Books. Thanks!

I asked Wei Jing - one of the newest members of the team what she thought about the conference.

It was nice to meet and communicate with some of the most experienced booksellers in Australia.

I got a brief idea of how ANZAAB is run and organised.

It was great to share ideas with booksellers. I learnt some new ideas and skills that we can use in our business.

It was exciting to visit the State Library of Queensland. We had a short lecture about the history of their collection and saw some rare and valuable things. It was also interesting to see the library's collection and how they protect their books.

I particularly enjoyed the talk by Ronald Cardwell. I learnt some important information for running a book business from an auditors point of view. His discussion included some ways to protect the business, as well as a specific method to record the inventory for accounting purposes.

Both Wei Jing and I agreed that while it was very nice to be away from the bookshop for a few days, it is always nice to get home.

I took these pictures the very night we got back.

Cornstalk goes to Italy

2010-10-06T21:18:00.000-07:00

The last couple of weeks Paul and Gay went to Bologna, Italy for the ILAB booksellers conference. ILAB is International League Antiquarian Booksellers http://www.ilab.org. They had a wonderful time.

This image was supplied by Nevine Marchiset. It was taken at dinner one night and was also the night of Paul and Gay's 35th wedding anniversary. Quite an achievement!

They also came back with a very exciting story spent one night at the Benneton family mansion. There was lots of praise for the food and of their day trips. Gay came back looking refreshed. I think it was all too much partying for Paul though!

Wei Jing and I gave sighs of relief when we saw them walk through the door of the bookshop last week. We are very happy to have our workers home. :)

CORNSTALK BOOKSHOP CELEBRATES 30 YEARS

2010-09-09T21:32:00.000-07:00

In 1980 I was driving my cab around Sydney and was restless. Every day I would call into bookshops and opportunity shops and buy books and I was driving the cab less and less and making less money and acquiring more books and cluttering the house.

Soon I saw a vacant shop in Glebe Point Rd and with my good friend Nan Waterford I approached the Federal Government who owned the building and after some tooing and froing we found ourselves the tenants.

The rent was $50 per week and we commenced trading on 20th September 1980. On the first Saturday that we traded we took $102 and I thought that was wonderful.

After about a year Nan and I decided peacefully that we would go in different directions and I bought her out of the partnership.

For the next couple of years I drove my cab from 2am to 10 am and then opened the bookshop. My wife Gabrielle often sat here with the kids while I went to an auction or looked at books somewhere.

For the next several years I beavered away buying and selling second hand books and specializing in Australian subjects and occasionally handling a few antiquarian books.

I attended book fairs in Brisbane, Canberra and Melbourne and in 1987 became a member of ANZAAB.

ANZAAB opened up a new world of possibilities. The Cornstalk Bookshop has attended all ANZAAB Book fairs since we became a member and we have also exhibited at International Book fairs in Tokyo, Cologne, Vienna, San Francisco, Los Angeles, London, Frankfurt, Copenhagen as well as Hong Kong.

The Cornstalk Bookshop in partnership with Yushodo of Tokyo and Swindons of Hong Kong started the book fair and we are organizing the fourth one now. We have had many of the leading booksellers from New York, London, Beijing, Tokyo, Sydney and Europe attend these fairs with thousands of visitors coming to purchase

In 1988 we opened another shop in King St Newtown and we traded in two different locations until 2005 when due to rising rents and falling retail sales we closed sadly closed the Newton operation. This business was very successful for most of the time we were there and provided us with lots of fun and we sold many millions of dollars worth of books. Unfortunately I was never smart enough to purchase the real estate there when it was affordable.

In 1995 we did purchased the building at 112 Glebe Point Road at auction paying $420,000. Many people in the next couple of weeks told me how stupid I was to pay a price of $60,000 more than the reserve. It is here in this building that we have been selling books for 30 years.

We also purchased the building behind the shop and have rented this out to bookbinders since. The first binder was a very good promising young man called David Crichton who sadly dies on his 33rd birthday from cancer. Since then the leading Sydney booking firm of Newbold and Collins has occupied these premises. There are five bookbinders working there full time and they proudly carry out the traditional bookbinding craft which is still practiced by a few traditionalists throughout the world.

In 2004 I was elected to the committee of the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers and subsequently was appointed secretary. The League meets twice a year in a different city in the world and this has been an exciting part of my bookselling career.

I have been responsible for working with the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of the People’s Republic of China and introducing them to ILAB and have overseen their admission to the league. I have been very fortunate to be the recipient of Chinese hospitality several times during trips to Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. At the recent June Book fair in London I shared a stand with Cathay Bookshop from Beijing who sold at the fair a twelfth century book printed in China.

Over the years I have been supported by many wonderful staff members, some of whom have gone on to operate their own secondhand bookshops. Some are professors and academics, some have had their books published. I owe a great debt to everyone on my staff and former staff members. These people are my friends and often I have drawn on their wisdom and the business would not have survived without their enthusiasm and support.

Paul Feain

The Cornstalk Bookshop 30 Birthday - a history in photos 1

2010-09-09T21:30:00.000-07:00

The Cornstalk Bookshop

That's me!30 years and still smiling.

Ellie Aroney

Yasmine Bolt

Me and my wife Gabrielle

Steven Reid . Steve used to work for me a long while ago. He now runs a very successful book shop call Gleebooks

I love the swans!

2010-08-23T21:40:00.000-07:00

In an antiquarian book shop I am surrounded by history. Many of the books are on Australian history and at the moment we even have an illuminated manuscript from c1390. I love looking through old books. Trying to picture what it would have been like. Today I got to experience this in a different way.

A short elderly man pushed his way through the doors and with a thick European ancient announced that he use to live in our shop. He meandered around the shop informing us that he knew the layout well. He popped his head around the corner and then said “But in those days, we had no electricity.” Paul asked him when he lived here. “1957” he said.

He had such delight on his face as he reminisced and he giggled as he told me that on Saturday nights his parents would lock him inside. “That wouldn’t keep me in. I would just sneak out the windows.”

NINE LEAVES OF A MEDIEVAL ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT
Paris [circa 1390] 18pp. 11x15cm. Handwritten and illuminated manuscript on vellum. A very good copy; the vellum on page seven was repaired before the manuscript was commence. Tantalizingly attractive. Four pages with an intricate gilt thorn-leaf pattern. 9 pages with a simple colour leaf pattern. 4 large (17x14mm) illuminated and illustrated initials including one initial with illustration of dragon like beast others with floral pattern. 66 smaller(8x6mm) illustrated and illuminated initials. A beautiful and very skillful work; decorated brightly with gilt, ultramarine, vermillion, white lead and rusty red. These eighteen enchanting pages are from a 1390 Book of Hours from the Totenoffizium (Office of the dead). $5000 AUD

Better World Book Trip

2010-08-12T22:31:00.000-07:00

Paul Drake head of the Antiquarian Books section at Better World Books

I was lucky enough to meet Paul Drake, who at the time was manager of the Antiquarian book section at Better World Books. One of the things that Better World Books does is buys large collections from libraries. They send some of these books to reading programs around the world and then sell the rest on the internet. A percentage of the profits made from these sales go to funding theses reading programs.

It is a massive operation. They have pallet loads of books, fork lifts to move them around and a large faction to sort, sell and mail the books. An eye opening experience.

Paul in his office.

This place is amazing it holds over 2 million books.

They do everything big here!

Packing department

Colorado Antiquarian Book Seminar

2010-08-11T00:13:00.000-07:00

I was flicking through a friend’s images on facebook and was immediately reminded about where I was this time last year. Paul sent me to America to further my education with books.

It started at the Colorado Antiquarian Book Seminar where book minded people go to learn more about these extraordinary objects. It was a unique and memorable experience which helped me develop my knowledge about books and bookselling.

I will not bore people with the details but the seminars began with a stimulating speech about book collecting by Mark Dimunation (Chief of the Rare Book and Special Collections Division for the Library of Congress) and ended with an inspiring talk about ethics by Rob Rulon-Miller (bookseller).

A star-studded cast of American book people including Daniel DeSimone (Curator of the Rosenwald Collection at the Library of Congress), Tom Congalton (Between the Covers), Librarian Steven Smith (University of Texas) Ken Royal Johnson (Royal Books -ex-FBI agent turned modern first specialist), and Greg Gibson (Ten Pound Island Book Co.)

At high point in Colorado Springs. Me on top of Pikes Peak 14,000 feet after a 21km hike through the mountains.

It's not all hard work

2010-08-05T19:57:00.000-07:00

It is not all hard work being a bookseller. In March, Paul sent me to Japan for a book fair. It was a scary and wonderful experience. I was terrified that I didn’t speak any Japanese and the fact that I was going alone, but Japan is a breath-takingly beautiful, superbly run and filled with some very lovely and helpful people.

The book fair itself was well organised, hosting some of the oldest and most prestigious book firms in the world, showing astonishing illustrated Japanese books and scrolls; an eye opening experience.

My most memorable moment was when Josh Carey from Bondi Books took me along to dinner with his Japanese book seller friends. Bondi Books is located in Tokyo, but Josh is originally from Australia and use to live around the corner from the Cornstalk Bookshop. He is a young bookseller, as were his friends; a nice change. One of the booksellers knew about an exclusive restaurant and leading us into the back streets of Tokyo, seeming to get us lost.

We make our way through the back door of a large building and squeeze into a rickety elevator. When the doors open we file through into a small space with a large heavy metal door. Someone knocks, and just like in a movie a metal window slides open. They have a quick discussion and then we are let in. The interior is dark and atmospheric and smells delightful.

Through a haze of smoke, we ate Teppanyaki and drank beer and chatted. I discovered through broken English and the kind translation of Josh that I was amongst an 8th and 13th generation book sellers. They spoke about their experiences during big earthquakes, fires that ravaged the city and epic wars. They told of books lost forever and those treasures hidden away from these perils. They boasted about big sales and their most precious books. But their proudest moments, the things that made them happiest of all, were their children and their wives or husbands. And in this technologically advanced era, they did not pull out folded photographs out of their wallets they pulled out their phones.

2010-08-04T18:57:00.000-07:00

I tighten the laces on my sneakers. The grass is wet under my feet. The air is cold, mist blankets the park. At this moment I don’t have to think, just let the world pass me by. Two cute dogs play under the large spanning branches of a fig tree. A mother accompanies her son and daughter to school. Their bags packed and blue uniforms on. I think the little ones shirt is inside out and back to front. :) Business men in suits race to the station. This is a moment of bliss in what will become a very busy day. Between managing staff in the shop, organizing the boss and the people in our Hong Kong Antiquarian Bookfair, I wonder how I ever sell a book.

Let's skip forward to lunch time. The Cornstalk Bookshop is full with people. They have roamed the streets and then through the front doors. There is a warm buzz; people want to find a book. It must be the weather. It is fresh outside and the skies are grey. It’s perfect reading weather. I spoon mouthfuls of my lunch into my mouth as I chat to customers. The books you want are in the back room. Pacific books are upstairs. The phone has been running off the hook today. Lights are flashing at me. Do you have this book? Yes, I'll pop it in the post today. Do you buy books? Yes. When do you want us to visit you?

Somehow, lunch gets finished but now the ebay staff are looking at me anxiously as I help another customer. Olivia and Wei Jing are so conscientious. I smile at them - and give them a quick look 'just wait a second'. I hand the customer a couple of books and then find a few books for the ebay girls.

Now where was I? Ah... fixing the web site; patience is a skill and shortcuts don’t exist. It’s finicky work, where one letter or punctuation can bring down a page.... I just got an email from our computer technician. You have one comma in the wrong place. haha I can fix that!

Now, who can I sell a book to?

What is it really like to work in a bookshop?

2010-08-03T17:44:00.000-07:00

When people find out that I work at the Cornstalk Bookshop I see a blank look fall across their face as their mind wanders. They are picturing themselves sitting down in a cosy chair, legs curled underneath them with their favourite book in their lap sipping hot tea occasionally looking up as a customer walks in. Once their imagination settles down they look up and say “Oh, how wonderful! I wish I worked at a bookshop.”

To begin, I don’t drink tea, I drink coffee. It provides me with the necessary kick to get me through the busy day. While I sit down often, I’m not reading a book, I’m in front of the computer cataloguing books or renovating the web site. And when I’m not sitting down, which is about half the time, I take photographs of books, or am lifting heavy boxes of books up and down stairs. This book shop is in a constant state of flux.

Paul is always buying books. There is rarely a day that something new hasn’t been placed on my table for me to catalogue. I never complain unless I can’t see over the pile to help customers as they walk through the door. Sometimes this happens.

After a wonderfully relaxing Easter Break I walked into the shop only to find that Paul had been shopping. Not unusual but this time he had gone overboard. He had filled the whole bottom floor (four rooms!) with boxes of books piled higher than my head with a narrow pathway leading through to the back. At first I had a moment of glee - look at all these books I get to rummage through and then after a split second I thought, look at all these books I have to go through. How long is this going to take?

"You can never have too many books; you can only have too little space." Paul Feain

After a few weeks, Paul and I had been through every single one. It was a really lovely collection of ancient history books. Roman and Egyptian classic writings sprinkled with glossy coffee-table books filled with pages of pyramids, mummies and other artefacts. I got lost in Tutankhamen’s world and was a little sad when it was over.

CARTER, Howard. THE TOMB OF TUT.ANKH.AMEN: Discovered bythe late Earl of Carnarvon and Howard Carter. London, Cassell and Company. 1923 and 1927 both first editions. 231 & 277pp. 17 x 24 cms. Original cloth. Volume one is clean and tight with the gilt lettering and front cover design all bright. Volume two has a small bump to the front cover and a very small tear top the top of the spine (about 3 mms or one tenth of an inch). Still very good copies. Rare to find in first edition and in this condition. A third volume was issued in 1933 and this is not here. $2000

Introducing the Cornstalk Gang

2010-08-01T23:29:00.000-07:00

Paul Feain is the founder and proprietor of the Cornstalk Bookshop. He is one of those lucky few who has been able to make a living and travel the world from something he loves - BOOKS. He has been in business for over 30 years. He is a member of ANZAAB (The Australian and New Zealand Association of Antiquarian Booksellers) and also ILAB (The International League of Antiquarian Booksellers). He has been on the committees of both organisations and at present is the General Secretary of ILAB. He is also one of the founding members of the Hong Kong Antiquarian Bookfair. He loves buying and selling books, listening to Slim Dusty watching AFL and running marathons (yes that's right!).

Gabrielle Feain, Paul's wife and in joint ownership of the Cornstalk Bookshop. She is the hardest working team member; making sure that the business runs smoothly. In her spare time she enjoys babysitting her grandchild Lachlan.

Wei Jing is in charge of our ebay store amongst other things. A very efficient, hard working and intelligent woman who can speak Cantonese, Mandarin as well as English. A blessing.

Kresta is a bright, outgoing and conscientious. She is a student at Sydney University studying Literature and will most likely greet you on the weekend. She also helps out with our ebay store.

Emily is our resident graphic designer. She is gifted in all things 2D and helps out with a range of things throughout the business including ebay and the Hong Kong Antiquarian Bookfair. She studies graphic design at the University of Technology in Sydney.

Olivia is our youngest team member at 15. She still goes to school and comes to help out a couple of afternoons a week. My nickname for her is "Genius prodigy child". She is good at everything including cataloguing books and ebay.

Claire has is studying Australian Literature at univeristy. She has been with us for many years and helps out with lots of things including ebay.

At that's me, Ellie Aroney. I help manage everyone, update the web site and organise the Hong Kong Antiquarian Bookfair. Everyone on the team loves books for one reason or another. For me it is the simplistic nature of their design. The form that we see today has change very little since their invention. They are a beautiful objects that are wonderful to hold. You can flick through glossy pictures or read the stories within and to be taken to another place or time.