Author:
Grafton and Co., London publishers and booksellers, owned by Frank Hamel (1869-1957), also proprietor of 'The Library World' [ V. M. Arnold, chemist ]
Publication details:
Grafton & Co. (Frank Hamel), Publishers and Booksellers, Coptic House, 51 Great Russell Street, London, W.C.1. Between 1942 and 1945. V. M. Arnold, from Worcester (International Chemical Co.) and Ilford.
This small archive provides an interesting insight into the world of mid-twentieth century antiquarian bookselling. In excess of one hundred items, the collection being in good condition, lightly aged and worn, including 61 typed letters, invoices and quotations by the firm, all on its letterhead, and around 30 drafts of the letters to the firm from a somewhat difficult customer, with an interesting range of interests, his purchases dating between the seventeenth and the twentieth century, on such subjects as Russian antiquities, bookplates, the classics, Rossica and Oscar Wilde.
