What I love about Copperfield's of Wimbledon is the sheer self-run nature of it all: books piled haphazardly high in places, odd things here and there not always in order, the place being part-house, part-shop with carpeted stairs and usually a tea mug resting about on the way up, how well known the proprietor is to many, and just the foibles of the place and how cosy and unlike a mainstream, high street store it is. I love the smell of new books, and pristine books can be a joy, but the scent of old books will always be more romantic to me.
There are many corners and an old feel to the place. I don't mind a bit of mustiness or mess, that is character to me. I don't want the latest best-sellers, garishly, beaming out at me loudly, with bullying promotions for mass sales. I want to stumble across something old, rare, or odd that I did not realise I was looking for - but now, here it is and I can't possibly walk away without tucking it under my arm and purchasing it.
Another draw for me here is the assortment of ancient postcards and old printed pamphlets - always useful to a 'zine creator! I'm sure the students from Wimbledon College of Art raid the place for the self-same purpose, or at least for inspiration, hopefully for books too.
Today's purchase was a biography on The Clash (one that I don't have - because half a dozen are clearly not enough yet!) for £6. (Sidenote: there are some excellent and excellent condition music books in this shop - there was a near-mint copy of a Sonic Youth biography about today as well - snap it up someone!). I paid with a ten pound note, and the guy didn't have change, so said to bring in the other £1 next time. I ended up popping back after a visit to another shop, with the coin to proffer - I genuinely like to see these businesses get money. I won't hear it that you can buy books for a penny from large online stores. I heard that often when I worked in public libraries as a byway for saying libraries were not necessary services or weren't as good providers of books. I don't want to buy from a faceless, mass-profiteering place - but that's not the half of it - I want the experience of wandering into a nice, charming old shop, out of the rain, of an afternoon, sauntering in for a slow browse, having a read of various books about the place, making up my mind casually, getting totally lost and absorbed... And being around physical, beautiful books. I am an incurable book junkie, and the sight, feel, scent and unique content of books is my life-enhancing, self-educating, explorative, spiritual, companion-like, hoarders' delight of a drug.
The website for Copperfield's book shop states that it is only 8 and a half years old. I'd have thought the place was from the 60s or 70s - but we can pretend and romanticise all the same.
Another favourite old book shop that I sincerely hope will stay in business is the one by Putney Bridge tube station: Hurlingham Books. This one has a window literally crammed with books, and is always a lovely sight to behold, making it irresistible to pass by without just a glance inside. Lots of bargains here, and I try to support it whenever I pass by.