Welcome to the Private Libraries Association 2026
"What is the use of a book" said Alice, "without pictures or conversation?"
There will always be pictures because there will always be words,
so let's start the conversation...
Event coming up: 21st Century Book Collecting
For PLA members and anyone else interested in books and book collecting
Spencer W Stuart will be giving an online talk about what is happening in the book collecting world
6pm (BST) on Tuesday 12th May 2026
Go
HERE
for details
A word from the PLA Secretary, Jim Maslen
Dear Fellow PLA Members,
A gentle reminder about the talk (see above) by Spencer Stuart, which will be held via Zoom on Tuesday 12 May 2026, at 6:00 p.m. BST. If you have not already contacted us and would like to participate, just let us know (HERE) and I will add your name to the list.
There will be an in-person follow up at the bookshop of Bryars & Bryars (7 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ) at 6pm on Wednesday 27th May. Numbers are limited for the bookshop event, so please book a place if possible by contacting us now HERE.
The Spring 2024 issue of Private Library is back from the readers and almost ready to go to the printer. The first article is by Simon Cooke. He analyses the development of The Book of British Ballads (1842), which Gordon N Ray in his survey of nineteenth-century illustration called ‘the most ambitious English book with wood-engravings’ in the period.
The second article, by Jason Burley, a bookseller and collector of miniature books, explores a very specific aspect of his collection, that of commercial advertising in the publications of David Bryce.
We hope that the third article (this one has no great merit in its own right) will be the first of many on books that resonate with the owner, not because of rarity or value, but because they appeal for simpler grounds. They may be unique, or chance discoveries, or the result of searching over years.
Paul Nash, who has joined the editorial team, has set the text of an article by Professor W E Butler on his Primrose Academy. This will fill the Summer 2024 issue, which will go out with the Spring 2024 issue when both are ready.
Jim Maslen, Hon Secretary 5th May 2025
To investigate membership of the PLA, please go HERE
'Early Private Presses' by David Chambers
A Review that originally appeared in the Journal 'Parenthesis' (volume 50)
By David McKitterick
By kind permission of the Fine Press Book Association
Go
HERE
Now online: 'Fine Press Bibliography 2011-2026'
Libraries and books are mostly about paper and ink, but online publication counts too! Not least when new information and insight is constantly presenting itself. And so it is with Howard Kistler's 'Fine Press Bibliography 2011-2026', first published online on 14th August 2025, and now in version 5 of 31st January 2026. 130k words across 300 pages, a magnificent achievement and lots more to come.
See the work: HERE
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2025
The PLA agm took place online (via ZOOM) at 2pm on Wednesday 10th September 2025. Those members who attended were able to participate in the management of our Association. Jim Maslen, the PLA secretary, has prepared the draft minutes.
Thank you for attending last 10th September, and see you next year.
Read the draft agm minutes: HERE
WE HAVE A NEW PRESIDENT!
Please meet
Sebastian Carter: HERE
One of the endearing vagaries of our Association is that this 'Winter 22' issue of PL will appear in 2025! What is more, it might not even be this colour!
Stop press: 23rd August 2025. It's now out...
And it has a red cover!
Become a member of the Private Libraries Association today
NEWS
