Portland Public Library

Once upon a tome, the misadventures of a rare bookseller, wherein the theory of the profession is partially explained, with a variety of insufficient examples,, by Oliver Darkshire ; illustrated by Rohan Eason

eng

autobiography

illustrations

no index present

non fiction

Once upon a tome

1371509645

by Oliver Darkshire ; illustrated by Rohan Eason

the misadventures of a rare bookseller, wherein the theory of the profession is partially explained, with a variety of insufficient examples,

"Some years ago, Oliver Darkshire stepped into the hushed interior of Henry Sotheran Ltd (est. 1761) to apply for a job. Allured by the smell of old books and the temptation of a management-approved afternoon nap, Darkshire was soon unteetering stacks of first editions and placating the store's resident ghost (the late Mr. Sotheran, hit by a tram). By turns unhinged and earnest, Once Upon a Tome is the colorful story of life in one of the world's oldest bookshops and a love letter to the benign, unruly world of antiquarian bookselling, where to be uncommon or strange is the best possible compliment"--, Provided by publisher

A note from the author's supervisor -- Introduction: The bookseller's apprentice -- Antiquarian & general -- Art & architecture -- Travel & exploration -- Natural history -- Modern first editions -- Appendix: Bookshop: the game

Interspersed with several diverting footnotes of a comical nature, ably illustrated by Rohan Eason, published by W. W. Norton, and humbly proposed to the consideration of the public in this year 2023