The University of London’s first Society of Bibliophiles

In an attempt to knock the Kindle off its throne, a new society is being set up by a teacher/PhD researcher from North London in the hope that the society will ‘make books sexy again’. In an age where the overwhelming majority of us access print culture through electronic devices, we run the risk of losing a wealth of information that can only be discerned from the material text. And whilst the Kindle may be a backpacker’s best friend, a book’s material form provides us with an insight into the object’s material history.

The new Society of Bibliophiles will be hosted by the University of London and is sponsored by Auction House stalwarts, Bonhams, as well as the ABA and Maggs Bros Books. Over the course of the year they will run a programme of events, including talks, visits and private views that will target young people in an attempt to persuade them to fall back in love with the material text.

We’re open to all and aim to provide an opportunity for those who are interested book-collecting – whether it’s rare books, comics, or classic Penguins – to meet up with like-minded people. Meetings will be held monthly and the full programme of events is to be announced shortly; including talks and visits to Lambeth Palace Library, Peterhouse College, Cambridge and London Rare Books Week 2017.

We’d be delighted if you’d join us on Friday 28th October at the Keynes Library from 7-9pm for a glass of wine to celebrate the launch of this new venture. The society will be declared open by the actor-cum-book dealer, Mr. Neil Pearson (you may recognise him as the boss of Sit Up Britain from the Bridget Jones film franchise) and will hopefully give you an opportunity to see what we’re all about.

If you have any questions or would like to register your interest in attending the launch event, please do not hesitate to get in contact at: uolbibliophilessoc@gmail.com<mailto:uolbibliophilessoc@gmail.com>

Launch party key information:

Where? The Keynes Library, 43 Gordon Sq, WC1H 0PD.

When? 28th October 2016, 7-9pm

Bio: Kayleigh Betterton is a second-year Ph.D. student at Birkbeck College and a full-time English teacher at Bedford School. Her thesis is on the Disposal of Books and Dismantling of Book Collections at the Fin-de-Siècle and examines the practice of bibliophilia, book exchange and cult of material-culture. She was awarded the University of London’s first Anthony Davis Book Collecting Prize whilst studying for her MA in Victorian Studies, also at Birkbeck. The prize was awarded for her collection of Oscar Wilde first editions and endorsed her passionate advocacy of antiquarian books in state schools.