Arthur Probsthain

Last updated
Arthur Probsthain
Industry Specialty retail
Founded1903 (1903)
FounderArthur Probsthain
Headquarters,
United Kingdom
Number of locations
2 stores
Area served
London
ProductsNew, used and rare books
OwnerMichael Sheringham
Website https://www.teaandtattle.com/bookshop

Arthur Probsthain is an independent bookstore based in London, specialising in antique Asian and African books. [1]

Contents

History

The bookstore was started in 1903 by Arthur Probsthain at Bury Place, and now bears his name. [2] [3] It has been located at 41 Great Russell Street, opposite the British Museum, since 1905. [2] [3]

The bookstore has been family owned for nearly a century and is today managed by Arthur Probsthain's nephew, Michael Sheringham. [4] The bookstore claims to be one of the oldest Asian bookstore in London after Bernard Quaritch.

Collection

The bookstore has some 150,000 books. [2] Notable items in its collection include a handwritten Quran. [2]

The store featured in the 1991 novel The Feather Men by Ranulph Fiennes. [5]

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References

  1. "Browse a bookshop: Arthur Probsthain, Bloomsbury, London". The Guardian. 25 February 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Saudi Aramco World : London's Oriental Bookshops". Archive.aramcoworld.com. Retrieved 2018-05-30.
  3. 1 2 Eric Abrahamsen (2013-02-09). "More Chinese books in London! Arthur Probsthain's Bookshop". Paper-republic.org. Retrieved 2018-05-30.
  4. "Grand old dame of Russell Street|Books|chinadaily.com.cn". Usa.chinadaily.com.cn. 2011-10-19. Retrieved 2018-05-30.
  5. Harman, Nicky. "My Favorite Bookstore: Nicky Harman on Arthur Probsthain Oriental and African Bookseller – Words Without Borders" . Retrieved 1 June 2018.

Coordinates: 51°31′04″N0°07′36″W / 51.5178°N 0.1268°W / 51.5178; -0.1268