Dylan’s book store bus at botanic garden fair
THE famous Book Bus Dylan’s Book Store plus a rare collection of Kathryn Wilson pewter will be on display at the National Botanic Garden of Wales Antiques Fair and Vintage Market this weekend.
The prestigious National Botanic Garden of Wales in the Carmarthenshire countryside is on the outskirts of Carmarthen, just 15 minutes away from the end of the M4.
The fair has proved a huge success with record crowds last year, meaning an extra date has been added in July.
New for this year is the introduction of the famous Book Bus Dylan’s Book Store, which travels all round the country showcasing an amazing display of rare Welsh antiquarian books plus a selection of affordable novels.
Jeff Towns, who owns the bus, is one of the world’s leading Dylan Thomas experts. An antiquarian book dealer by trade, based in the poet’s home town of Swansea, Jeff was originally known, both locally and globally, as Jeff the Books. He is now known simply, affectionately and professionally as The Dylan Thomas Guy.
This labour of love has left Jeff with a wealth of Dylan Thomas knowledge, extensive contacts and many, many manuscripts, notes, letters, pictures and books by and about Dylan Thomas.
Jeff’s Dylan Thomas collections sit in museums and institutions from Kyoto in Japan, to Texas, via San Francisco and all the way from Abertawe to Aberystwyth and the National Library of Wales.
His Dylan Thomas exhibitions have hung in Barcelona, at the Royal National Theatre in London and are a permanent fixture in The Dylan Thomas Centre in Swansea.
He has sold rare Dylan Thomas books and manuscripts to Mick Jagger, Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, Prince Charles, Peter Blake, Cerys Matthews, Catherine Zeta Jones and Allen Ginsberg.
Jeff is still an active and evergreen antiquarian bookseller, a published author, a public speaker, documentary maker, regular media commentator and an artistic consultant.
You will find Jeff’s bus situated in the Vintage Market in the Millennium courtyard.
The fair likes to bring some rare items to the market. One important collection being showcased is an amazing collection of pewter.
Kathryn Wilson has built up a wealth of knowledge on the subject and has a good selection of new stock to whet collector’s appetites. This will include a quart measure inscribed John Davies. A Bristol Blue Droopy measure by George Hayter will also take pride of place in her display.
Kathryn has many Bristol mugs in her collection plus a pre-imperial Bristol quart mug and a diminutive Schnabelstitze measure.
Kathryn’s impressive collection also includes some rare coins. Two pennies from the British Copper company of Landore and Walthhamstow and two postcards of Dolaucothi Mansion and one of Llanerchydol Hall, Welshpool, are also ones to highlight.
You will find Kathryn’s eclectic collection in the Gallery Room opposite the shop.
Fair organiser Brita Rodgers said: “I am sure collectors will find the large quantity of impressive stands, showing off a variety of themes from ancient Chinese to the retro ’60s and country farmhouse, to be very appealing.
“There is also gorgeous Victorian linen, vintage clothes and costume jewellery and an appealing display of nostalgic interior designs; plus fishing reels and collections of rare Royal Worcester, Moorcroft and Lorna Bailey pottery.”
Fans of collectibles, curios and classic antiques should make their way to the various botanic garden venues – including the Lord Foster-designed Great Glasshouse – for displays of Welsh art and pottery, quality jewellery and outstanding militaria collections.
The fair opens at 10am and closes at 4.30pm. Admission to the garden for the antiques weekend is £4. Entry is free for garden members and parking is free for all. Dogs are allowed into the gardens this weekend. For more information about the fairs contact Brita Rogers on 01267 220260 or 07790 293367 or visit www.derwenantiques. co.uk