Second-hand Books at Outside by The Book Man

About 5 years ago, I started a second-hand book section in the shop. I’m delighted that it now attracts a loyal band of customers looking for that out-of-print title that has previously eluded them at a sensible price.

It all started when Ken Wilson asked me to sell some of his books after his retirement. Since then I have sourced books from book fairs, charity shops, the Internet and from Outside customers who no longer have the space or desire to keep all their books.

So far, I have just about managed to maintain a sufficient supply to keep the shelves full of interesting old mountaineering and climbing books. There is even a selection of foreign language books. With books priced reasonably low at between £2.50 and £25.00, the turnover is quite high and therefore you will never know what you might find.

The following 1^st editions have all recently been sold: Hard Rock - Ken Wilson; Yosemite Climber -  George Meyers; Kamet Conquered – Frank Smythe; I Chose to Climb – Chris Bonington; My Vertical World – Jerzy Kukuczka; Mountaineering in Scotland – W H Murray; 50 Years of Alpinism – Riccardo Cassin; High Peak – Eric Byne & Geoffrey Sutton.

Prices depend on scarcity and condition but in general I try to beat comparable books that are for sale on the Internet.

The above books have not been processed yet. Several are signed and some are quite collectible.

The above books have not been processed yet. Several are signed and some are quite collectible.

I have a collection of over 1200 mountaineering /climbing books so here’s a few lists for you:

These lists change daily because it’s an impossible task but today…

5 compelling books that I have read recently:

1. Tears of the Dawn: Jules Lines
2. The Tower: Kelly Cordes
3. The Bond: Simon McCartney
4. The Push: Tommy Caldwell
5. The Magician’s Glass: Ed Douglas

5 Books that have inspired me:

1. Snow on the Equator: H W Tilman
2. High Peak: Eric Byne & Geoffrey Sutton
3. Four Against Everest: Woodrow Wilson Sayre
4. Master of Rock: Pat Ament
5. Feet in the Clouds: Richard Askwith

5 books that I would keep (if I had to get rid of the rest):

1. Nanga Parbat Pilgrimage: Hermann Buhl – a present from my mum & dad and one of the first mountaineering books I read.
2. The Ascent of Everest: John Hunt – with 11 signatures from the 1953 team.
3. Classic Rock (2^nd edition, 2007): Ken Wilson – inscribed by Ken with a photo opposite that just happens to be me with my mate Mick Langton on Gillercombe Buttress.

No apologies needed for the last two!

4. Mountain Words: British hill and crag literature: my first book collaboration with Boardman Tasker shortlisted author Graham Wilson.
5. Forty Plus: Challenge walks in the North of England – also co-written with Graham Wilson.

As a bibliophile and collector myself I love this part of my job, so If you have any comments, questions, or would like some advice about buying or selling, please email ([email protected]) or ask for me in the shop when you next visit (I am normally in the shop on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays).