Sexton Blake and the secondhand books incident

I picked up this old pulp, one of the Sexton Blake Library, largely because the title amused me. I found the book in Cardiff's excellent Troutmark Books which is situated in the Castle Arcade. The character of Sexton Blake of course came about in 1893 in the Halfpenny Marvel paper. The character owed much to Sherlock Holmes - in fact he's  been called the poor man's Sherlock Holmes - and was often drawn to resemble Doyle's most famous creation.

This particular book was published in 1952 and written by Walter Tyrer, a man who wrote a fair number of Sexton Blake adventures. I think the name is likely a pen name but I cant find anything out about the writer on the internet other than a list of titles he penned.

There's a rather good blog HERE that reviews many of the Sexton Blake adventures but the blog doesn't seem to be updated on a regular basis - pity.

Together with the Sexton Blake book I also picked up a bunch of old paperbacks as well as several issues of Warlord Comic. I do love browsing in secondhand books shops and Cardiff's Troutmark Books is an excellent store. I'd recommend a visit to anyone who finds themselves in Cardiff. You'll find it in the Castle Arcade which is across the road from Cardiff Castle.

THE GOOD SECOND HAND BOOKSHOP GUIDE -TROUTMARK BOOKS, CARDIFF

The Good Second-Hand Bookshop Guide is new to The Archive but will hopefully become a regular feature and, with the help of readers everywhere, grow to cover hundreds upon hundreds of such shops and hopefully spawn a printed book. Details at the end of this post and please take part. Not only will you be supporting the used book business but you will be a part of what could grow into an essential reference for book collectors.

Troutmark Books is situated inside the Castle Arcade in Cardiff near the entrance opposite Cardiff Castle. Their telephone number is 029 2038 2814

There are three floors, each rammed floor to ceiling with books, it is a great place to track long wanted rarities or simply to browse. All the books are stored by genre and then within the genres the authors are listed alphabetically which you would think should be obvious but some second-hand books shops merely place their books in the next available space - frustrating and the cause of much eye strain.

Troutmark Books is a browsers paradise with a large range of books - everything is covered - vintage paperbacks, the pulps, comics, classic literature. The place has that distinct aroma that is unique to well stocked used book stores and the staff are great - they don't interrupt you when browsing and are very knowledgeable when asked a question. Pricing is also very good - they have some pricey rare items - the day I visited there were some wartime issues of Hotspur priced at a very fair £15 given that these were in superb condition. I managed to get a copy of Conan The Buccaneer in superb condition for only £1.90 while the Saint hardback, unmarked, cost me just £6.

The shop is also very conveniently located since there is ample car parking in Sophia Gardens and from there to the shop you get a pleasing walk alongside the river.

Troutmark books was visited by Gary Dobbs on 5th Aug 2009

THE ARCHIVE WANTS TO MAKE THE SECOND HAND BOOKSHOP GUIDE A REGULAR THING - but obviously I'm limited to the number of shops I can visit so how about others getting involved? Let's make this guide global - so if anyone has a favourite second hand book shop why not email me a review to garydobbs@hotmail.co.uk and mark the subject header - second hand book guide. I will publish all reviews unedited on The Archive and if the thing gets big enough I plan to publish a print edition using the POD system. I will place a badge in the sidebar of the Archive that will link to this post so folk can easily take part and please publicise this on your own blogs, after all your readers may want to get involved.

There are several rules.

1 -Don't tell the shop owners you plan to write a review as you want their normal service to be able to comment fairly.

2-Range of books is very important.

3- Include the shop's address and if possible their telephone number.


4-Your name and date of visit to shop must be published with your review.

5-Not a rule as such but if you do buy any books then please photograph them and attach the pic to your review email.

6-Rate shops by the variety of stock they carry, pricing and of how comfortable the browsing experience becomes.