Arthur Probsthain
 | |
| Industry | Specialty retail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1903 |
| Founder | Arthur Probsthain |
| Headquarters | , United Kingdom |
Number of locations | 2 stores |
Area served | London |
| Products | New, used and rare books |
| Website | https://www.teaandtattle.com/bookshop |
Arthur Probsthain is an independent bookstore based in London, specialising in antique Asian and African books.[1]
History
[edit]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.[4] Arthur Probsthain's nephew Walter Sheringham joined him in the business and inherited it on Probsthain's death in 1941. Sheringham married Eve, and their two sons Michael and Lesley joined the business in the 1970s. As of 2003[update] Lesley's two sons Tim and Christopher (Arthur Probsthain's great-great-nephews) were involved in the business.[5] There is now also a tearoom, "Tea and Tattle", sharing the premises.[6]
The bookstore claims to be one of the oldest Asian bookstore in London after Bernard Quaritch.
Collection
[edit]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.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ "Browse a bookshop: Arthur Probsthain, Bloomsbury, London". The Guardian. 25 February 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Saudi Aramco World : London's Oriental Bookshops". Archive.aramcoworld.com. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
- ^ a b Eric Abrahamsen (9 February 2013). "More Chinese books in London! Arthur Probsthain's Bookshop". Paper-republic.org. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
- ^ "Grand old dame of Russell Street|Books|chinadaily.com.cn". Usa.chinadaily.com.cn. 19 October 2011. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
- ^ "How it all began ..." Tea and Tattle. Archived from the original on 25 February 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
- ^ "Tea and Tattle". TripAdvisor. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
Tea and Tattle is a new Tea Room located at 41 Great Russell Street.... As you walk in the door at 41 Great Russell Street, you walk into a family-run bookshop/gallery, steeped in history (established since 1903).
- ^ Harman, Nicky. "My Favorite Bookstore: Nicky Harman on Arthur Probsthain Oriental and African Bookseller – Words Without Borders". Retrieved 1 June 2018.
External links
[edit]- Official website Archived 11 December 2023
- How it all began History of the bookshop, archived 25 February 2024
