This Month - Hay Festival - contributed by Catriona

It's the end of May, probably raining (well, this is Wales after all) and thousands of people are travelling to a field in the market town of Hay on Wye. 'What for?' you ask yourself. To visit the Hay Festival of Literature - and tour the 30 or so book shops situated in the town! Now in its 21st year the Festival is more popular than ever and this year it runs from 22nd May to 1st June.

The first Festival in 1988 was planned around a kitchen table!... Read More

Featured Book - Our Friend Jennings - contributed by Tim

"Free on Approval. Fifty rare foreign stamps given away with each of our genuine Colonial and Empire issues. Send for free lists and sheets on approval."

When S. & S. Boddington. Ltd composed their advertisement, they could have no idea of the chain of events it would unleash - not least the apparent discovery of a Penny Black stamp in the unlikely location of Bromwich major's locker!

Of course, a seasoned stamp-collector may have understood that the offer of free stamps was intended for those who made purchases Read More

Bonus Article - Crufts - contributed by Sonia

I have always loved dogs and love watching Crufts on the television. Last year, I thought I really ought to go but it fell through at the last minute. This year, at the last minute (again!), I asked Chris if she would like to go on the Thursday (believing this to be the quietest of the four days). Thursday 6th March 2008 was Toy dogs and Utility dogs day. Bruno stayed at home as I thought it might be stressful for him with the noise and crowds... Read More

A Sample of New Stock

Cardiff Yesterday No. 3 by Stewart Williams

The Gibson ES175 by Adrian Ingram

Stuart and Georgian Churches by Marcus Whiffen

Price: £25

Other Books about Cardiff

Price: £28

Other books on Musical Instruments

Price: £12

More books on Churches

Price: £8

Other Ladybird Books

Selection from our Special Book Room

New Girls at Wood End by Elsie Jeanette Oxenham

Weeds & Aliens (NN43) by Edward Salisbury

Stories From the Arabian Nights retold by Laurence Housman Illustrated by Edmund Dulac

Orlando (The Marmalade Cat) Buys a Farm by Kathleen Hale

1st edition 1957 published by Frederick Books, still in its original wrapper!
Price: £460

1st ed 1961. The idea that because weeds are a nuisance they must also be dull is dispelled in a few pages.
Price: £120

2nd ed 1907. Fifty magnificent mounted colour plates all at the back of the book. Price: £250

1st ed 1942. Beautiful colour lithographic illustrations throughout. Price: £120

News in Brief

Amongst the books catalogued this month, we have a selection of Batsfords, Enid Blyton and some books on Wales and many other titles.

Collection purchased: over 1800 pop-up books all of which are searchable on the website, we will be updating descriptions and adding photographs over the next few months.

After almost a year of hard training with Sonia, Bruno the hearing dog sat his final exam. It was a nervous affair for all but we need not have worried as he passed his test with flying colours. Bruno was presented with his new coat and you can see him sitting proud on his homepage.

For further news please click here