Meet Exhibitor John Atkinson Fine and Rare Books
Posted on 27th March 2019
“We get the chance [at Firsts London] to meet customers old, present and new and talk to them about their collections and interests, which is very important”
John Atkinson Fine and Rare Books is a family run business located in Harrogate, Yorkshire and run by husband and wife Dr John Atkinson and Lottie Atkinson. The business has been operating for over eight years. John’s initial interest in rare books started at the tender age of 7 when he purchased a first edition at a car book sale for 10p. Eighteen years later he sold that same book for £40.
After graduating from the University of Newcastle with a PhD specialising in Sociophonetics, John decided to follow his passion and pursue a career in rare books. Lottie had previously worked in primary education and brought an advanced knowledge of children’s books.
The company specialises in first editions and iconic novels, as well as books published in 1950s and 1960s, particularly by female writers. One of their most memorable purchases has been a first edition of I, Claudius signed on the day of publication by Robert Graves. A favourite sale was Douglas Adams’ personal copy of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
Their current collection features:
Evelyn Waugh’s Decline and Fall, First UK Edition, Chapman and Hall, 1928
A Complete Set of James Bond novels by Ian Fleming comprising Casino Royale, Live and Let Die, Moonraker, Diamonds are Forever, From Russia, with Love, Dr No, Goldfinger, For Your Eyes Only, Thunderball, The Spy who Loved Me, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, You Only Live Twice, Golden Gun and Octopussy Cape
J K Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, First UK Edition Paperback, Bloomsbury, 1997.
