BOOKS
Books available from the Private Libraries Association
PLA Publications to 2024
This page lists PLA publications that are available to purchase.
A more complete (to 2024) list of publications from The Private Libraries Association can be found: HERE
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A note on Paper sizes
As might be expected, antiquarian and fine-press book-collectors are a bit behind the curve when it comes to paper sizes. Explanation of the Private Libraries Association's proudly antediluvian nomenclature can be found HERE
PLA Hard-Copy Books
The Private Libraries Association publishes monographs on specialised aspects of bibliophilia, with several generally in print and available.
Our publications include books on artists and illustrators, private presses and printing, book-binding, restoration, and reflections on book collecting.
Members receive one free book every two to three years and can purchase others at the members’ discount.
Please browse our shelf below...
Newly published (November 2025):Eric Partridge and the Scholartis Pressby John Arnold
The Scholartis Press
was fairly shortlived (1927-1935) but its association with the great lexicographer Eric Partridge makes it of huge interest to book collectors everywhere.
This biography of man and press is a joint project by the Private Libraries Association
and the Bibliographical Society of Australia and New Zealand.
The book has been steered to publication during 2025 by
Paul Nash. It is the Association's current
'free'
book for members.
John Sharpe:
Publisher & Bookseller , Piccadilly 1777–1860 by Iain Bain
2021. Royal 8vo. 120 pages, 27 illustrations, in colour and b/w.
£15 [members £7.50].
A History of The Caradoc Press by James Freemantle
2019. Demy 8vo. 128 pages, 28 illustrations, in colour and b/w. 90 copies with an original leaf.
£75 [members £37.55].
Nineteenth Century Dust-Jackets by Mark Godburn
2016. Imperial 8vo. 215 pages, 110 illustrations, mostly in colour. Cloth with DJ.
£50
[members £25].
The Book and Periodical Illustrations of Arthur Hughes by Maroussia Oakley
2016. Imperial 8vo. 326 pages, 8 colour plates, 184 black and white illustrations. Cloth with DJ.
£50
[members £25]
Illustrated Periodicals of the 1860s by Simon CookeSorry, this is currently out of print
2010. Imperial 8vo. 228 pages, 4 colour plates, over 120 black and white illustrations. Cloth with DJ.
£20
[members £10].
English Country Bookshops by David Chambers
2010. Landscape crown 4to. 112 pages, 106 black and white illustrations. Cloth.
£10
[members £5]
A Modest Collection: Private Libraries Association 1956-2006 by David Chambers
2007. Royal 8vo. 378 pages, 49 illustrations plus 71 photographs of members. Cloth.
£20
[members £10].
Beyond Decoration: The Illustrations of John Everett Millais by Paul Goldman
2005. Narrow folio. 112 pages, 337 pages, 311 black and white illustrations. Cloth.
£20, members £10.
Edward Ardizzone: a Bibliographic Commentary
by Brian Alderson
2003. Royal 8vo. 309 pages + 4 colour plates, 80 black and white illustrations. Cloth.
£20, members £10.
Books in the Blood & Apart from the Text by Antony Rota
BOOKS IN THE BLOOD
2002. Demy 8vo. 313pp, 18 b&w illustrations. Cloth with DJ.
£15, members £7.50.
APART FROM THE TEXT
1998. Demy 8vo. 254pp, 35 b&w illustrations. Cloth with DJ.
£15, members £7.50.
The Book Illustrations of Orlando Jewitt by Frank Broomhead
1996. Imperial 8vo. 272pp, 168 b&w illustrations. Cloth.
£15, members £7.50.
Gogmagog: Morris & Cox and The Gogmagog Pressby David Chambers, Colin Franklin & Alan Tucker
1991. Imperial 8vo. 184pp, 16 illustrations in colour and 45 b&w illustrations.
Cloth. £15, members £7.50.
The Wood-Engravings of Blair Hughes-Stanton by Penelope Hughes-Stanton
1991. Small folio. xii, 183pp, 151 b&w illustrations of wood engravings.
Cloth. £20, members £10.
Early Lithographed Books, their Design and Production in the Age of the Hand Press by Michael TwymanSorry, this is currently out of print
1990. Crown 4to. 374pp, 282 b&w illustrations. Cloth, glassine DJ and boxed.
£30, members £15.
The Zaehnsdorfs (1842-1947), Craft Bookbindersby Frank Broomhead
James Lumsden & Son of Glasgow, their Juvenile Books and Chapbooksby S. Roscoe & R.A. Brimmell
THE ZAEHNSDORFS
1986. Royal 8vo. 109pp, 35 b&w illustrations. Cloth with glassine DJ.
£10, members £5.
JAMES LUMSDEN
1981. Royal 8vo. 160pp, 1 colour illustration and 60 b&w illustrations. Cloth.
£10, members £5.
Joan Hassall, Engravings and Drawings by David Chambers
1983. Royal 8vo. 224pp, 470 b&w illustrations. Cloth.
£15, members £7.50.
Joseph Cundall, a Victorian Publisher with a checklistby Ruari McLean
Literary Annuals and Gift Books, a Bibliography 1823 – 1903by Frederick W. Faxon
JOSEPH CUNDALL
1976. Imperial 8vo. 104pp, 4 colour plates and 50 b&w illustrations. Cloth with DJ.
£10, members £5.
LITERARY ANNUALS & GIFT BOOKS
1973. Crown 8vo. 328pp. 24 b&w illustrations. Cloth.
£10, members £5.
Cock-A-Hoop – A Bibliography of The Golden Cockerel Press by David Chambers and Christopher Sandford
1976. 8vo, 126pp, 52 illustrations. Cloth with DJ.
£10 [members £5]