AustLit

'Beautiful and valuable books, arcane terms and conventions, eccentric personalities – these are the mainstays of the fascinating world of antiquarian books.

'Kay Craddock has lived in that world for over forty years. She embarked in business from very modest beginnings and overcame considerable personal and cultural obstacles to reach pre-eminence in the international rare book trade.

'In telling their remarkable story, Rare chronicles the fascinating social history of the book trade in the second half of the twentieth century – when antiquarian bookselling emerged as a recognisable profession.

'Stuart Kells has written a thoroughly compelling book which paints an unforgettable picture of the principal figures in Kay (and her mother Muriel's circle), and which also explores how these identities influenced the supply of and demand for old, rare, finely printed and finely bound books.

'Rare gives the reader access to a world that few have entered. It is also a highly personal account of the challenging journey of an amazing Australian woman' (Publication summary)