Henry Bohn Books- Liverpool
Written and Photographed By
Liverpool, renowned for its maritime history and cultural vibrancy, is also home to a rich literary heritage. Henry Bohn Books, an iconic establishment that has stood as a testament to the enduring love of literature since the late 1980s, is among the city's many hidden gems.
Contrary to popular belief, the owner of the bookshop isn't named Henry Bohn, but rather Michael McCabe—a passionate book collector hailing from Seaforth. In the 1980s, McCabe found himself struggling to make ends meet while relying on night shifts at a factory and government benefits. Faced with an unpayable bill, he turned to selling some of his beloved books at a local car boot sale. Unfortunately, his efforts to stay afloat were reported to Social Security, leading to the threat of his benefits being cut off. He was however given an opportunity with the Enterprise Allowance Scheme which allowed him £40 a week for one year, this would classify him as ‘self-employed’.
Michael McCabe opened his first bookshop with his wife Anis McCabe in 1988 on the corner connecting Berry Street and Seel Street. Being directly opposite Lime Street Station was no doubt a perfect location for the bookshop as it would have drawn the attention of many visitors by being one of the first buildings they saw on the way into the city.
The name of the bookshop was chosen on a whim when McCabe needed a business name to open a bank account. The real Henry George Bohn (4 January 1796 – 22 August 1884) was a prominent Victorian-era publisher, author, and bookseller. He is perhaps best known for creating ‘Bohn's Libraries,’ a series aimed at mass markets. These collections featured affordable editions of classic works and translations, covering a wide range of subjects including history, archaeology, science, theology, and the classics.
After opening and closing many of their stores, Henry Bohn Books is now located on London Road, just round the corner from The Empire Theatre. The books are generally organized on tall, wooden shelves and categorized by subject. There are many books in piles and boxes on the floor with many also on display at the entrance. The space to wander is limited but not restrictive. Despite the shop’s size, there are believed to be over 15,000 books over the two floors despite no stock count ever taking place, with more residing in storage. According to McCabe one of the oldest books in the shop dates back to 1501 with many others dating back to the 1600s.
Henry Bohn Books also has a collection of classical and jazz music in the form of LPs and CDs as well as books covering almost every subject including, history, classic literature, science and many more.
My favourite finds in Henry Bohn Books include, Madame Bovary (Gustave Flaubert), Oliver Twist (Charles Dickens), Moby Dick (Herman Melville), Hamlet (William Shakespeare), The Woman In White (Wilkie Collins), Frankenstein (Mary Shelley), and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame (Victor Hugo). Each of the books found was in near-perfect condition and incredibly priced.
Henry Bohn Books is open Monday - Saturday 11 am - 6 pm so what are you waiting for ?
Written by the incredible jupicallisto
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