The Diary of a Bookseller

TUESDAY, 11 NOVEMBER

Online orders: 3

Books found: 3

I am rapidly running out of space for the anonymous postcards and may have to start stapling them to Nicky.

A customer came to the counter with Highways and Byways in Galloway and Carrick, by C. H. Dick, published in 1916 and bound in blue buckram with gilt titles. This copy was in fine condition and priced at £16.50. When I asked her for the money, the customer – an elderly, well-spoken woman – spat ‘£16.50? That’s daylight robbery, I am not paying that for an old book.’ I followed her to the door and watched as she got into her brand-new Range Rover and drove off.

Highways and Byways is a truly wonderful glimpse of the area a hundred years ago. Surprisingly little has changed around here since then. Particularly the fact that – as Dick observed – the ‘district has remained unknown to the world longer than any other part of Scotland, with the possible exception of the island of Rockall’.

Till total £125.03

7 customers