A quiet Sunday, with only two Melbourne Rare Book Week events on today.
REMINISCENCES OF SECOND HAND BOOKSHOPS IN MELBOURNE: 1970-2015
John Arnold is an Associate Professor at Monash University lecturing in publishing and communications. He has been involved in the second-hand book trade as a dealer and collector for over forty years. In this talk he reminisced on bookshops past and present. Lots of people in the room nodding their heads as he mentioned various people and businesses. This talk was held in beautiful room in the Old Treasury Building, so I decided to colour the room in this sketch.
PENGUINS ON PARADE
Melbourne book collector, Professor Chris Browne, presented an entertaining illustrated talk about Penguin Books, focusing on their interest to book collectors, particularly looking at early Penguins from 1935 to 1970. He pointed out the important role of Penguin books during the Second World War and show how important innovations in book design were introduced by Penguin, He outlined the history of Penguin Books, both in the UK and Australia, illustrated the talk with examples from his personal collection of around 2000 Penguins.
Your post was very interesting to me Alissa, as I used to have a Secondhand Book Shop. Oh how I loved my years there – all those wonderful people that I met and chatted to. Sometimes I was asked to look at and quote on a deceased estate. One such occasion it was a large collection of OLD Penguins! And yes, I did buy them. Each day brought a new surprise. Oh such great memories – so thank you! And wishing you a wonderful trip too.
Thanks Susan. Books are wonderful – they each have their own history. You must have some wonderful tales and experiences of your time with Second Hand Books. and thank you – I had a s=wonderful three weeks in the UK. Many wonderful memories (and three sketchbooks full) !