Introducing "A Third Book of Booksellers" by Sheila Markham

In 1991, Sheila Markham began interviewing prominent figures of the antiquarian book trade for The Bookdealer magazine, which, sadly, is no longer in print. Fortunately, the interviews did not disappear with the publication; Sheila continued the conversations, and they have since been published both online and in book form.

Over more than three decades, she has created an extraordinary oral history of the rare book world, one that reaches far beyond the British Isles, where she is based. Her interviews capture the voices, stories, humour, and insights of booksellers across the globe, preserving the human side of a profession often perceived solely through its catalogues, online platforms, and occasional book fairs.

Eighty-one of these interviews have so far been published in two volumes:

A Book of Booksellers (2004), a hardback limited to 500 copies (now out of print), followed by a paperback edition with Oak Knoll Press in 2007;

A Second Book of Booksellers (2014), also limited to 500 copies and still available.

Both volumes were widely praised. Frank Herrmann described the first as “the most instructive book about the antiquarian book trade that has appeared for years,” and Nicolas Barker found the second “just as full of the rich loam of character that made the first such capital reading.” They have become standard reading, forming part of the London Rare Books School’s course on The Modern Rare Book Trade.

We are now delighted to announce the forthcoming publication of A Third Book of Booksellers, to be released on 1 December 2025 by Sheila Markham in a limited edition of 500 copies, with an introduction by Richard Ovenden. Orders may be placed through Bernard Quaritch Ltd., where the launch event will also be held. A perfect Christmas gift for any book nerd!

Sheila’s “Conversations with the Antiquarian Book Trade” are cherished for good reason. Far more than interviews, they open a door into the everyday realities of our profession. They capture the personal stories of booksellers, the many paths that can lead into the trade, and the highs and lows that shape a bookseller’s life: from the excitement of a major sale to the far less glamorous work behind preparing and running fairs. They also reflect on the mentors who guided them, the colleagues who helped them build their businesses, and they offer candid, often deeply personal accounts of both successes and setbacks.

As we count down to the launch of A Third Book of Booksellers, ILAB is very grateful to Sheila Markham for allowing us again to share a selection of her interviews on our website. Over the coming week, we will offer a “sneak peek” and spotlight conversations with bookseller colleagues whom many of our readers may know in passing but whose stories and insights Sheila captures in a way that reveals much more.

Stay tuned!

To connect with Sheila and find out more about this project, please visit her website HERE