224. The Booksellers; movie review

THE BOOKSELLERS
Cert 15
96 mins
BBFC advice: Contains moderate sex references, brief nudity, infrequent strong language

I describe myself as a 'list fiend.'
From trying to watch every film released in the UK to ticking off Good Beer Guide pubs, going through cookbooks page by page to my current obsession of playing the top 100 golf courses in England.
I am guided in my reading by bestseller lists and have an extensive football programme collection and have been to getting on for 150 grounds.
having been a newspaper editor, I reckon I would be ripe to become a book collector and, consequently, was fascinated by D.W. Young's documentary.
Most of its action takes place in New York City which was once the home to hundreds of antiquarian book shops but now hosts a handful.
However, it is the venue for a book fair which is clearly revered as the big daddy among enthusiasts.
I was intrigued by the diversity of those who collected and trade in books and manuscripts and the scale of their respective obsessions.
One tale was even told of a collector who spent $1.5m to reinforce his apartment such was the combined weight of his books.
The Booksellers is very illuminating - stretching far beyond the first edition market which I had presumed was the industry's foundation.
It highlights how dealers and collectors have different motivations, often craving very different types of material.
The lengths and expense to which some go to fulfil their passion are quite extraordinary.
And, of course, they give their predictions on the future of books which range from the rosy to the doom-laden.
Young's movie took me into a previously unexplored arena and flicked a switch which may yet lead me to explore book collection further.
But only if I clear out our loft first.

Reasons to watch: Unveils a whole new world

Reasons to avoid: Many will find this geekish

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: Brief photos/pictures

Overall rating: 7.5/10

Did you know?  The world record for the most expensive book ever sold is a science book: the Codex Leicester, which is a fancy name for what is essentially Leonardo da Vinci's science diary. It was purchased in 1994 for $30.8 million.

The final word. DW Young: “We knew we wouldn’t have a problem finding interesting booksellers and collectors to speak with. We always had a belief that the people of this world would have a lot to offer.” AnOther

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