My latest Sir Walter Scott foray, Rob Roy, prompted me to request through inter library loan A.N. Wilson’s The Laird of Abbotsford: A View of Sir Walter Scott. The book was recommended by Alan Massie in his introduction to the Folio Society edition of Rob Roy, as the best modern introduction to Scott. I was so pleased with it that I wanted a copy of my own.
It is out-of-print, and I could only find one hardback copy in the U.S., though it sounded like a great one, even including Wilson’s autograph. When I checked with the bookseller, though, the copy had already been sold. After my initial disappointment it dawned on me to check UK booksellers, Wilson being a UK citizen. Lo and behold, plentiful copies in excellent condition. I sent an email to Hunter Books, and received a prompt reply that the book was in stock. Even with shipping, the book was less expensive than the U.S. copy. I placed my order through Advanced Book Exchange (where I had located the copy) and was notified that shipping could take up to eight weeks.
I was surprised and delighted to receive the book, carefully packed and in “like new” condition, only ten days later! The dust jacket even had a protective cover. It also has the mildly exotic UK currency on the dust jacket (£8.95 net). Always a fun thing.
Hunter Books is operated by Andrew Ray. I’m not sure if he has a retail storefront. At any rate, I couldn’t find mention of one. But I did find this Wikipedia entry for Burnham, Buckinghamshire, which included some links to local websites with pictures of the area.
This was the first book I have ordered from a UK bookseller, but it won’t be the last.
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