Very nice, Veronicae! Perhaps catalogs like this will be the replacement for the independent bookstore that we have been lamenting.

I was intrigued by their web exclusive offer of the seven year pens.

Rosefolly

I also like their membership program...and the guarantee.

I'll have to check out the pens. I made a short visit, but just spent time in the children's section.

I have received this catalog for some time and like it very much. In fact I use it as a resource, marking it up and requesting ILL books. I try to buy something once or twice a year, as does my mother. If we don't offer our custom, these types of sellers won't be able to stay in business. I have been very happy with everything I have received from them.

I used to get this catalogue, But I still miss the wonderful, now defunct Cahill catalogue.

I buy from bas bleu-when I buy. It is a great catalogue.
woodnymph-the Cahill was a wonder.

Thanks for heads-up of this website.

I really miss the Common Reader. If only it would come back in some form - I believe it went out of business about five years ago.

siobahn...that's the one I couldn't remember! The Common Reader. Thanks.

veronicae, or someone, please tell me about Bas Bleu. Was it just a catalogue of the latest books? And what about the Common Reader?

Veer, Bas Bleu has both old and new books, fiction, nonfiction, and children's. Their own styling is 'Champion of the Odd Little Book.' They also have a very nice selection of unusual gift items and children's toys that make me wish I had a child to buy gifts for. Their catalogs arrive quite regularly.

The Common Reader was a wonderful catalog that appeared in the mailbox just about every month and was in itself a wonderful read. Each book had a marvelous, lengthy description that was sometimes as good as the book itself. There were no gift items, just books. I used to carry those catalogs around with me until they were battered and worn. They also had their own press and reprinted OOP books that were otherwise unavailable. Luckily I purchased several of those before the end. The business unfortunately failed and was liquidated.

Anyway, here is a link to Bas Bleu

Here is a link that might be useful: Bas Bleu

Veer - it is a classy, sophisticated, relaxing, comfortable compendium of items that a person might find in a local bookshop, with a comforting invitation to browse. It is worthy of reading, more than once, rather than flipping through. It is not a glossy catalog - but a thoughtfully produced collection of interesting books and language related items, including games, stationery...

veronicae & siobhan, thanks for the information.
An interesting 'in-house' publication over here is Persephone Books bi-annual magazine. They specialise in re-prints of authors who have gone out of fashion and send a few copies of the mag when you purchase a book from them. They take great trouble with the end-papers/cover pictures etc. to reflect the 'age' of the book.
It's worth ordering a book just for the publications. ;-)

Here is a link that might be useful: Persephone Books