Collection: Children and Illustrated 2023

It’s good to be back. My last catalogue was before the pandemic, in 2019. Typically I would aim to issue two a year, in Spring and Autumn, but everything changed in early 2020, and we all know the rest. Our selling model reverted online. Fortunately for us our IT guru had already led us a way down the road to internet success and we came to be very grateful.
 
As the non-furloughed worker permitted to travel to the shop the first few months were hectic. I drove in everyday, sometimes twice. There was no traffic at all on the 5-mile trip. Once I didn’t even need to stop for a light, just sailed on past at 30mph not even slowing down until I parked up outside. So there were benefits.
 
Ray our dispatch manager and I were dealing with over forty orders a week, often for multiple books and prints. We had a conveyor system going with me processing the paperwork and finding things on the shelves and laying them out in a snaking line across cupboards and sometimes the floor. We were a team.
 
The effects though run deep. It has taken nearly four years to rebuild the stock to a level where I could even contemplate a catalogue, and the luxury of holding books back for it. A good portion of the material here is off the market, not on the internet nor on show in the shop. Old-fashioned bookselling. I’m not sure it’s the best way but it is my way.
 
I hope you find something to tempt you. I always welcome wants lists so, if you don’t see anything to buy but would still like to stay on the mailing list, feel free to outline what you’re looking for in an email to me at rh@sotherans.co.uk. I make a note of these things and always try to channel my books to the right people.
 
Best wishes to you all. And thank you for sticking with us!