FROM THE LONDON ANTIQUARIAN

Lots of old friends and lots of new ones at the London Antiquarian Book Fair. Derek Hood was taking his turn on the Designer Bookbinders stand and Shepherds were showing off their indestructible Explorer notebooks from their Wiltshire Barn Project, which helps with the rehabilitation of services personnel. The Explorer is ideal for Christmas, but hurry as they are selling like hot cakes and rightly so..

New friends included Judith Wiesner, expert conservator. Judith gave us a crash course in paper conservation, showing us why you really shouldn’t try this at home. If you have valuable paper that needs restoring look no further. You can check out the before and after images on her website if you need convincing.

We were also delighted to meet Enitharmon, one of the few British publishers commissioning collaborations between distinguished artists and writers. We brought a copy of Side by Side by Gilbert and George and lusted after the sumptuous My Yorkshire by David Hockney, in a deluxe limited edition. Not only have they have been publishing stunning books since 1997 they are based around the corner from us, once we’ve been round for coffee, we’ll tell you what they are up to next!

Last and not least Glyn and the team from the St Bride Foundation, keeping the art of printing alive, with classes and a world class typographic library. When you are in London you need to go and see them – really you do.