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Originally Posted by Hip Priest
They certainly do. And the book world has more than it's fair share of characters.
I know a dealer who has a lovely shop that's usually empty. Why is it empty? BEcause it's in a little back alley where people don't see it, because he won't advertise and won't even be listed in the telephone dirctory or free internet listings. Why? Because he 'doesn't want customers'. Why? Because if you don't strike him as a book lover then he isn't interested, just won't do business with you (whether buying or selling) at all. Whereass if you've heard of him from a fellow customer and searched him out, then that's cool. He had about eight 1930's council posters in stock and a regular customer wanted to buy them all. 'You can't buy them all, you can buy three at the most. Then someone else can buy some too.' 'If I can't have them all then I don't want any'. 'Fine'.
I've had a few rare little items off him - if he likes you then he's the most genuine and pleasant chap you could hope to meet.
...as long as he thinks you're a 'proper' book person, he likes you. That's his criteria. It is elitist, though, yeah, it's like you have to pass an exam to shop there I suppose. But I think that's okay in a way - I judge some shops not worthy of my custom, I certainly make them pass an exam I suppose. He only sells the finest stuff, though, no cheap paperback novels and whatnot.
but I think the poster incident - although strange - shows that he's a nice guy. He didn't want some other interested customers to lose out. I bought the one from 1947 about applying for a cinema license. Or Cinematograph Entertainment License, if you prefer.
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Further to this, I'd like to add that near his shop is an auction house, where they have auctions every Tuesday, meaning that more people come into his shop and browse. So he stays shut on a Tuesday - splendid policy.
Anyway, I went there on Monday, and for some reason - we have a lot in common - I get on with this guy phenomenally well. I buy two books for £17, and leave one that's £25 (£20 to me) because I don't have enough spare cash on me. But as I'm leaving, after our chat, he gets the book and
gives it to me. I was quite rightly speechless at this generosity, it's not often something touches you like that. What a thoroughly splendid chap.
(the book, if you're interested, is
Charcoal Ironmasters of Cheshire and LAncashire, 1600 - 1785 by B. G. Awty, B.A.