Basic HTML Version
JAMES O’DONOGHUE FENNING
The following is reprinted from the Antiquarian Booksellers
Association Newsletter on the occasion of Jim being awarded his
Fifty Years Badge of membership of the ABA.
50 Years a Bookseller
My grandfather, Thomas Joseph Fenning, ran a modest bookshop on
Wood Quay, beside The Irish House and opposite the Four Courts,
Dublin. His eldest son, Seumas, showed a strong interest in books,
struck out on his own and, after a short while spent some time working
for the Robinson Brothers in Newcastle – an opportunity he put to
considerable use, picking up a keen appreciation of quality books.
Back in Dublin he worked on his own account and enjoyed the pick of
many a fine library. He formed a strong association with Herbert
Marley of Wm. Dawsons & Sons. Though I never worked directly with
my father, our temperaments were far too close for that, he was always
on hand and provided a constant and valuable source of information
and opinions. In April 1958, Marley offered me a job, which it was
opportune for me to accept. Six months at their warehouse in Farnham,
Surrey handling books as well as periodicals gave me plenty to learn.
Six months at their London office in Pall Mall followed. There I was
blessed by the tutelage of Miss Diver (I never knew her first name) and
Eric Osborne – both late of Raphael King. Dr Feisenberg was always in
the background, but I rarely had a query that warranted disturbing him.
During this time, Dawsons purchased Deighton Bell in Cambridge and
sent David Bickersteth from their Farnham branch to manage it. Shortly
afterwards I was offered the job of running Deighton Bell’s rare book
department. This I was delighted to accept and spent five happy years
there. Quite out of my depth, of course, but the real joy was in meeting
Christina Brady, with whom I have delightfully spent the last 47 years.
Then, five years later, Dawsons acquired Frank Hammonds in Sutton
Coldfield and offered me the managership. We spent another five years
there before leaving Dawsons and returning to Dublin to work on our
own account. We have managed to keep our heads above water since
then and are most grateful for the good fortune we have enjoyed and the
friends we have made.
James Fenning, November 2011.
AUCTIONEER’S NOTE:
I have known Jim Fenning for over thirty years, both as a philatelist and
as a distinguished bookseller. I have advised him on stamps and he in
turn has enlightened me on aspects of antiquarian books. I was
saddened at his passing last month, but I did enjoy the last few months
working with him and his good friend and fellow book dealer, Joe
Collins, in lotting his stock. Despite his illness his sense of humour
stayed with him and he was a delight to be with.
We have, as far as possible, kept Jim’s original catalogue notes in full –
where they have been edited for the printed catalogue, the full entry will
be on the internet version. We have especially included his entertaining
pithy comments, such as this from Lot 149 –
Even in her lifetime Amanda
McKittrick Ros (born Anna Margaret McKittrick) was known as the World’s
Worst Novelist, and on a short reading of this book one would be pushed to
disagree –
or this from Lot 296 –
Appleton had a remarkable ability to found
societies, but his reputation for faulty book-keeping proved a handicap.
There
are plenty more to entertain you in this remarkable catalogue of over
3,500 volumes.
Jim Fenning is one of the last, not just of a family line of Dublin
booksellers, but also of a generation of erudite antiquarian booksellers
in these islands. His expert knowledge, imparted generously to others
such as myself, will be missed greatly.
Our thoughts are with his lovely wife, Christina, and we hope this
catalogue will serve as a memento of a kind, wise and gentle man.
Ian Whyte, September 2012.
WHYTES
,
3
Circa 1916 photograph of Fenning’s shop at 3 Wood Quay, including Jim Fenning’s
grandfather and his father and uncle standing in the doorway.
Wood Quay, including
Fenning's Bookshop
in the 1950s.