Something special

Words: Ed Fordham

There is something special about giving a book as a gift - it’s the sense of giving an object that will hold its emotional value, that you chose it specifically. Some people write in their books, others don’t and won’t. But, of old books the ones we often like and appreciate the most are those with inscriptions in them.

A lady came past the shop the other day and handed me a small pamphlet of a book - a collection of English poems. It’s an old schoolbook, the type used in Victorian schoolrooms to teach and learn poetry - specifically English poetry. The book has virtually no value but is quaint and nice to the touch and it sits warmly in your hand.

As she handed it to me I opened it and saw the inscription - the name of the previous owner and the date 1886. As I paused to appreciate the attractive ink handwriting - the lady said - “I knew her” - pointing at the name - “she was lovely, and I didn’t want the book to end up in a skip”.

Here was I holding a book that spanned almost 140 years of two women who knew each other and between whom this book had passed - the least I could do was respect that. I promised the lady it would not go in a skip and have put it to one side. For me, interactions such as this is what a secondhand book shop is all about. There are few books that have to go in a skip - and we pride ourselves on repurposing. Old redundant atlases are now made into map bags, we have wall-papered part of our own house with a broken copy of Lord of the Rings, and we have a scheme to make postcards and book marks out of broken books.

And of course, you can buy these books and more and give them second and third lives. The covers may not be perfect, the condition may not be immaculate - but the collected story and journey that those books have themselves had, gives us joy and wonder.

If you love books, have a friend whom you haven’t seen for a while, want a gift that is unlikely, fun and even a bit different - we can help. We are the ultimate shop for all-year-round secret-Santa’s. Please don’t leave it to Christmas - we need your help and support all year around to make this business venture work, so call in any time.

We are open on Chesterfield’s Market DaysMonday, Thursday, Friday and Saturdays broadly 9am-4pm. Please do find time to come and browse.

And as for that poetry book - we are pleased to say that poetry is probably our biggest line of sale. Your love and exploration of the craft and curated word is huge. And we ourselves are huge advocates of John Clare, John Donne and Carol Ann Duffy to name but three. We are huge fans of local poet Helen Mort and hope to have exciting news for the town about that soon.

So that little poetry book is going into a lucky draw - if you like poetry or old previously loved books - pop into the shop - place your name and phone number into our March draw and one of you will win the poetry book with our compliments. Our one request is that you love it and keep it out of the skip for someone else to enjoy.

See you soon, Ed Fordham, Proprietor.

Brockwell Books of Chesterfield can be found in The Market Hall, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S40 1AR.