Store books - Truffles from the Invisible Library

There is more to our bookstock than meets the eye. Besides the volumes on our open shelves, we also maintain a store of older titles in the basement of Twickenham Library.

They may no longer be so physically attractive, but they will have proved their worth over the years. Often they were famous, infamous, or outrageously popular when new, and they have been sought by readers ever since. Or they may perhaps be the only book on their subject. And some will be of local interest.

Whatever the reason for their enduring usefulness, we endeavour to retain these titles for some time (often many years) after the peak of their popularity has passed.

You will find them all listed on our catalogue, but their home is unfortunately not suitable for public access and browsing. Therefore each month we will present on these pages a small selection of titles. They may have some current resonance, or simply a quirky appeal which may tickle your fancy.

Should you wish to borrow any of them, please enquire at any library.

So, in no particular order, we present:

Hans ZAUGG Decorative Trees and Shrubs.(1960)

With 67 plates in seven colours after the originals by the noted botanical artist Hans Schwarzenbach. The full-page plates depict trees and shrubs suited to the climate of Europe and North America.

Robert Kaye GREVILLE Algae Brtiannicae, or descriptions of the marine and other inarticulated plants of the British Isles, belonging to the order Algae.(1830)

Besides the descriptive text there are 19 plates of remarkably delicate colouration. An impressive example of what was achievable with the technology of the time.

James BRITTEN European Ferns, with coloured illustrations from nature by D. Blair, F.L.S. (1883)

Illustrations of great delicacy accompany an authoritative text, housed within an illustrated binding.

Peter SCOTT Wild Chorus.(1939)

The author celebrates the wildfowl he loved in words and pictures.
20 colour plates and 48 in sepia display his remarkable talent as a wildlife artist.

The Lore of Ships. (1978)

Explains and illustrated all the significant components of ships of all kinds, from the dugout canoe to the nuclear submarine. Illustrated with a variety of techniques including cutaways, diagrams and technical drawings.

The Houses Of Parliament: History, Art, Architecture.(2000)

16 distinguished authors contribute to this large, lavishly illustrated survey of the Palace of Westminster, placing it in its historical context.

John E. SOWERBY British Wild Flowers, illustrated by J.E. Sowerby, described by C. Pierpoint Johnson.(1894)

This comprehensive survey of our native flora is brought to life by around 1800 charming coloured figures illustrating each species.

Reader’s Digest Book of the Great Barrier Reef(1984)

Highly illustrated account of one of the marvels of the natural world depicting its structure, the life it supports and the threats to its continuing existence.

Cicely HAMILTON The Old Vic, with Lilian Baylis.(1926)

Story of the Royal Victoria Hall from its beginnings in the early 19^th century to its transformation into the legendary theatre of the 20^th. Illustrated with contemporary views and reproductions of historic playbills.

Mary AUSTIN California, the land of the Sun; painted by Sutton Palmer.(1914)

The author describes what is superficially a very different place from the State of today, yet the bones of landscape and environment are still there. 32 delicate watercolour plates capture the essence of the timeless land.