How to Collect and Present for Book Collection Prizes

The Institute of English Studies in London is offering an insight into book collecting prize tomorrow with its latest seminar Shelf Improvement: How to Collect and Present a Prize-Worthy Book Collection.

A group of prize judges and winners will focus on key issues such as what makes a good collection, how to craft a winning entry, and what not to do during the process. Anke Timmermann (Cambridge Rose Prize) and Jeremy Carson (PBFA Young Book Collector Competition) will provide a look at what prizes are currently available for students and young collectors and give insights into their experiences of acting as judges.

They will be joined by two recent winners who will talk about their experiences of collecting books and entering prizes, Emily Clarke (Cambridge Rose Prize winner 2024 for her collection Georgette Heyer [1902-74] and the invention of the Regency) and Callum White (ABA National Book Collecting Prize winner 2025 for his collection Splitting the world: The atomic scientists and their second acts). Both will also bring along some of their collections to share with attendees.

The event at Senate House, Malet Street, London on February 3 from 6pm to 8pm is free but booking is required.