I caught my old neighbour Tony Hall at his bookshop for a rare appearance.

I’ve known Tony since I was a kid, spent hours in his bookshop picking up Thelwell cartoons and old pulp fiction. He is a proper book dealer, specializing in Russian History and Culture, amongst other subjects, but as he once said to me, he has the luxury of having a bookshop as his office. This picture was made around 1993/4 looking into his office. I keep meaning to drop him a note.

He’s not open much anymore, but you can hopefully catch him sometime at 30 Staines Road, Twickenham TW2 5AH. He might be the last of the absolutely independent bookshops in London.

11:02 PM

#WATERSTONES: good place to while away the time. I bought a cashmere/wool blend scarf from here when it was still #Simpsons and the sale was on. The nicest thing is that the whole place is exactly the same, just filled with books, which is even better. #bookshop #winteriscoming #winter #citylab

10:28 PM

#BOOKSHOP: Tony hasn’t been around in a long time, he’s getting on and comes in maybe once a week. He’s really a dealer in rare books with the luxury of an office that also has a bookshop in the front taking up a tiny bit of space. But I’ve roamed his shelves since I was 11 years old and all my #Thelwell books are from here. If I had the money, I’d buy his place, keep his name above the door and run my office from his. I’m not sure that places like his were ever widespread but I feel lucky to have had a bookshop as a neighbour. Further down the street is the fellow who designed and still makes the original #Stormtrooper helmets. George Lucas hates him. But more on my other neighbours another time. If you’re passing by Tony’s place and he’s in, stop by. You won’t get the chance again, most likely. #books #bookseller #neighbours #twickenham

4:20 PM

This bloody startled me as I walked home and glanced at the #oxfam #bookshop window. Strewth, I think I need a lie down.