Aimed at reaching a public who haven’t started to collect books yet, but who might want to, “Start Collecting Books Now”, a new PBFA initiative was launched at the 2008 York National Book Fair.

The designer Mark Hearld, York based artist, has produced delightful artwork making it hard to resist picking up a copy. The design mirrors his designs for the York National Book Fair publicity which he has also rebranded this year. Mark is inspired by British artists such as Eric Ravilious, John Piper and Edward Bawden, who appropriately was the last designer commissioned by the PBFA . Bawden famously designed the cat logo. Mark said about the project, “It has been exciting working for the PBFA following in the great Edward Bawdens’ footsteps. I am passionate about books… collecting books so taking on this commission is just right. I’ve learnt to draw cats in the process but I think it is the mice which hit the spot!”

Mark has an accelerating national reputation and recent projects include work for Penguin Books, and the poster for the forthcoming Tate Britain’s Curwen Studios 50th anniversary exhibition. Mark studied Illustration at Glasgow School of Art, followed by an MA in Natural History Illustration at the Royal College of Art.

Jill Tiffin, of the PBFA, who has masterminded the project, said “there is no doubt we need to reach a wider and younger audience. We hope this initiative will be the first step in attracting a new generation of book collectors”. The booklet draws together information on how and where to buy books, it encourages visits to fairs and bookshops as well as tackling on line buying.

You will be able to pick up a copy of the booklet at the York National Book Fair, now the largest book fair for the sale of out of print titles, maps and ephemera in Britain. The catalogue for the book fair, which includes books for sale, can be viewed on line at www.yorkbookfair.com Here you can print out complimentary tickets else admission is £2.00 at the door. Throughout the weekend event, there is a free shuttle bus from the railway station to the Racecourse. It runs every twenty minutes.

For more details and images please contact

Janette Ray
Publicity Manager
01904 623088
books@janetteray.co.uk