An interview with Lucius Books
Biblio checks in with Lucius Books to learn more about their book business, collecting interests and more! To view and shop their inventory, click here.
When did you get started in bookselling?
We started selling books in 1992.
What drew you to bookselling?
My father was a collector of first editions and as kids on weekends and holidays we were dragged into bookshops and to book sales. I started to read book collecting magazines and the listings in them that told you what people were looking to buy, so I started looking out for them. The thrill of the chase has never left me.
Did you have any mentors in becoming a bookseller?
I don't know about mentors but I used to visit antiquarian bookfairs and bookshops up and down the country. I always gravitated towards the high end modern first edition booksellers to admire their stock and descriptions. Nigel Williams in Cecil Court always had nice books, and was a lovely man to boot, closer to home Peter Miller at Ken Spelman Booksellers in York is an outstanding bookseller with a vast knowledge and a great eye.
What are your specialties as a dealer?
Modern first editions, signed and inscribed copies, manuscripts, original artwork, counter culture, literary objects.
What's the most amazing book you've ever sold?
They are all amazing, that's why we bought them!
What is your favorite part of being a bookseller?
The thrill of the chase and then placing that book or object with a happy customer.
Do you have an open storefront or have you in the past?
Yes, we've had a city centre shop in York for over 10 years now and have just moved to new larger premises on Micklegate in central York.
If so, do/did you have any bookstore pets?
Nope.
What is the funniest / strangest / scariest thing that ever happened in your store?
We've had more than one person start a conversation with themselves whilst stood looking into our full length mirror.
What is your favorite bookshop (other than your own)?
Tindley and Everett in Cecil Court, Peter Stern in Boston, Cornstalk Bookshop in Sydney to name a few.
What do you personally like to read? Collect?
Biographies, economics, crime fiction.
What's your favorite book you personally own? Would you sell it, if the price were right?
I have a small collection of books inscribed to me by authors or publishers where we have been able to contribute material or images used in the book. Always very pleasing to see the finished product and know you have had a little part in it. - I wouldn't sell them.
What one book would you buy if price were no object?
I haven't found it yet.
If you were stranded on a desert island and could bring three books, what would they be?
Raft building for beginners, The Oxford English Dictionary and My Family and Other Animals.
