Exact Editions is delighted to announce that the full archive of The Book Collector is now available to subscribers. Founded by Ian Fleming in 1952, The Book Collector is the leading literary journal commenting on all aspects of ‘the book’; publishing, paper, bindings, design, manuscripts, collections, first editions and more.
Ian Fleming, most famously known as the author of Casino Royale and introducing the world to the fictional British spy, ‘Bond, James Bond’, also had a lesser-known passion for book collecting. It was a personal hobby that he rarely publicised. His impressive collection of first editions focused on the crucial books of modern civilisation; TV, atomic fission, X-Rays, birth control, the motor car, penicillin; topics which he said “started something”.
In 1952, Fleming also started a unique periodical for bibliophiles that soon became hailed as the most important journal of its kind in the world: ‘The Book Collector’. Following its inception, Nicolas Barker eventually took up the reins as owner and editor until 2016, when after 50 years at the helm, he handed it over to the founders’ nephews, James and Fergus Fleming. Today it remains the only journal in the world that deals with all aspects of the book, covering subjects ranging from typography to national heritage policy, from medieval libraries to modern first editions.
Published quarterly, subscribers to the new digital edition will be able to browse the entirety of the archive going all the way back to to its very first issue published in 1947. Spanning over 70 years, each issue offers 192 pages of wit, pleasure and knowledge on all aspects of the book through the ages. Featuring fascinating articles from international experts, book reviews, sales results, exhibition details and more, the range and sharpness of the writing will attract all who are interested in our literary heritage.
The extensive archive is an valuable resource for both students and academics with the years and decades easily navigated by its cutting-edge stacking interface and each issue is fully searchable, allowing subscribers to be able to key in any subject, author or date and get immediate results.
For institutions interested in requesting a free trial of The Book Collector, please click here
Annual or quarterly subscriptions are available to purchase by clicking here
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