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COTSWOLD Feature


The Collector’s library


In this modern age of computer technology, with the influx of tablets and Kindles into our lives, it would be easy to think book publishers days might be numbered. But for the Collector’s Library based in Eastleach near Cirencester, business is booming.


JUST over 10-years-ago the founders of the Collector’s Library saw a niche in the market for high quality literary classics at affordable prices. They began by publishing works


which were out of copyright in compact sizes, perfect to slip into your pocket or briefcase and printed on good quality, section sewn paper, bound in real cloth with ribbon markers and gilt edges. The founders came up with an


exquisite design at affordable prices and as hoped, it thrilled book lovers who suddenly saw a way of collecting all their favourite classics and creating their own beautiful home library. Today, there are now around 200 titles


in the collection, selling throughout the world. The books are gorgeous to look at and


luxurious to hold and they make perfect gifts for friends and family. And unlike many other books of that


size the print is a good size and easy to read. The directors of the company all had


publishing experience when they decided to set up the Collector’s Library. It was a decision based on instinct and


a recognition of the gap in the market and it paid off with the books being snapped up around the world including


56 COTSWOLDESSENCE | March - 2014


Russia and Chile. “Dickens and Shakespeare feature


strongly on the list, of course,” said sales director Clive Reynard. “There’s also Lawrence, Tolstoy,


Twain and Wilde.” “Some of the best sellers abroad are


not even translated, people want to read them in their original English language,” says Clive. These days, the company also publish


a good selection of modern writers. “You have to ask yourself what is a


classic?” says Clive. “For me, it is something that


withstands the test of time.” For that reason the Collector’s Library


has Frederick Forsyth and Graham Green. “Ghost stories also sell terribly well,”


says Clive. “But surprisingly Hardy hasn’t been


as popular as we had hoped.” The Collector’s Library publishes


between 15-20 books a year in April and September. August 2014 marks the centenary of


the outbreak of the first World War and to mark the occasion the company will be producing four significant books to mark the event. They are Birdsong by Sebastian


Faulks, Robert Graves’ great memoir Goodbye to All That, All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque and Poetry of the first World War. One book that is bound to be a big hit in the collection


this year is Gloucestershire’s own home-grown Laurie Lee’s Cider With Rosie. The complete and unabridged version of the writer’s


account of his life in the Slad Valley is being promoted to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Lee’s birth this year. And Cotswold Essence has six copies to give away to


lucky readers.


All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning one of these beautiful books is answer the question on the coupon and send it to: Collector’s Library Competition/ Cotswold Essence, 6 Lansdown, Stroud,Gloucestershire GL5 1BE to arrive by noon on Friday, March, 28. 2014.


Q How many titles are published each year by the


Collector’s Library? A.....................................................................................


Name................................................................................ Address............................................................................ ........................................................................................... Daytime tel no...............................................................


www.cotswoldessence.co.uk





“ ”


I cannot imagine a more


heavenly present; they are so beautifully produced and illustrated


Jilly Cooper, Novelist


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