Left on the Shelf Books, the UK’s largest dealer in radical second-hand books, pamphlets and journals, has changed hands following the retirement of its founder and long-term owner Dave Cope.

Set up in 1992 after Cope bought the second-hand stock of Central Books, and for many years the main retail and wholesale outlet for the Communist Party of Great Britain, Left on the Shelf relocated to Kendal in Cumbria in 2004. The business has now been acquired by Mark Thwaite, a long-standing customer and trained librarian who has worked for several years in publishing and the book trade, selling second-hand books as a sideline.

Left on the Shelf is a key resource for anyone interested in labour history, stocking everything from early twentieth century classics by Marx and Engels to TUC Congress Reports, CPGB pamphlets from the 1920s onwards and modern classics from Verso, Pluto, and Zed. The stock now also includes badges, posters, ceramics, T-shirts, busts, music and any other radical item that comes along. Most sales come via ABE Books, but the store is open by appointment.

New owner Mark Thwaite has launched Left on the Shelf on Facebook and Instagram, with regular postings of its collectibles and rarities, and is producing a monthly newsletter. A great deal of new stock has already been added (from anarchism and art history to feminism and labour movement studies), and he says there’s much more to come. 

On buying the business, Thwaite faced an immediate large increase in rent, and increased costs across the board, so Left on the Shelf is appealing for support. Thwaite says that following Left on the Shelf on social media and subscribing to the newsletter really helps. He will also be looking at the possibility of doing some physical book stalls at trade union conferences and other large events, and would welcome suggestions. Left on the Shelf also welcomes “wants lists”, and offers of new stock.

Don’t forget to mention the SSLH for a 10% discount on your first order.

Website
ABEBooks
Instagram
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Email: Mark Thwaite – leftontheshelf@phonecoop.coop