Peter Howard - In response to the ABAA Newsletter

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

 Kevin Johnston from Royal Books

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

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

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)

--------------------------------------------------------

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

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

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 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

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

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

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!

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 

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

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

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!

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!

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!

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!

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

            
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

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

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 Stodolski

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