Our Collections
We have worked with book collections across Sussex, from general private collections to poetry to medical collections.
Josephine Austin Collection
A large portion of the books sold are from Josephine Austin's personal collection. Josephine Austin (15/03/1934 –13/04/2014) was a Poet, editor, publisher, performer. After she had cancer in her very early thirties she published her first work including, “In Focus” and over the years produced many books, “Further into Focus”, “Space Between” and “The Hurting Kind”. She qualified through the London Guildhall of Speech and Drama and realised the difficulties for poets to be recognised and have opportunities to perform their own work.
She started an International Poetry Festival, held in Hastings in 1968 which ran for over 40 years, including a loyal regular attendance of poets who performed their work from far and wide. Guests who attended the Festival were Spike Milligan, Brian Patten, along with folk singers Titus along with the lead singer, John Towner who was the regular compere. She encouraged poets to write and founded the highly successful poetry magazine “First Time” for first time poets in 1981, publishing four magazines a year until the end of her life. She received the Dorothy Tutin Award for Services to Poetry in 1986.
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Her work is strong on sensitivity and hauntingly honest. It was said that if Don Quixote had had her by his side he would have conquered the windmills; such is the inner strength and power of her written work.
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Poetry was her life, and she gathered a huge collection of poetry over the years. She wanted these books to be sold on to others with a love of poetry and literature.
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If you would like for information about Austin and her work please get in touch!
Edward Jonhston Foundation
Ditchling Museum of Art & Craft - Joe Cribb Donation