Sixty Years a Bookman, With Other Recollections and Reflections

A gentle, richly detailed memoir opens with the author’s childhood in the rolling Cotswold valleys, where the scent of stone and the thrill of exploring ancient quarries sparked a lifelong curiosity. He recalls the simple joys of village life—snow‑filled hollows, fossil hunts, and the stories whispered by the hills—before moving to London and stepping into the bustling world of bookselling. Those early contrasts set the tone for a narrative that weaves personal memory with the evolving landscape of the trade.

The heart of the book is a series of vivid recollections from more than six decades among books, dealers, and collectors. From the camaraderie of the Whitefriars Club to the subtle art of pricing and the delight of limited‑edition treasures, he shares anecdotes that illuminate both the pleasures and the challenges of the profession. Readers who love books, history, or simply a well‑told life story will find his observations both instructive and warmly nostalgic.