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Bill Collier who had been collecting Jazz records since he was a teen, worked in the record departmewnt of this shop. International book shop the forerunner of Collets in Charing Cross road. Here, hsi deep knowledge of Jazz styles was put to good use. Serving the small but growing number of fans eager to learn more about the hsitory of the gnre. It was a shop that prided itself on having the latest improts form the USA.

Michael Softley at age 16 brought Big BIll Broonzy and Shake Ratle and Roll here.

Eric Idle age 18 brought Dudley Moore, Alan Bennett, and Jonathan Mille LP. He learnt it by heart.

Iain Rankin brought LP's when student.


Comments

Dave Harwood
10 Aug 2025 at 10:07
I found this in the 'Bookseller' dated 21st June 1947:
“BOOK business for sale. The International Bookshop, 52 Charing Cross Road, W.C.2, now offer their premises at 120 Shaftesbury Avenue, W.1. (100 yards from Charing Cross Road towards Piccadilly) for sale. Lease and fittings to be sold separately (rent £550 a year, £600 after five years, thirteen years to run) or business to be sold as a going concern.”
...and this in the 2nd October 1948 edition:
“COLLET’S HOLDINGS (BOOKSHOPS), LTD., of Southampton Place, W.C.1, have taken over the International Bookshop, Ltd., of 52 Charing Cross Road. This shop will be known as “Collet’s International Bookshop”. The manager of this shop will be Mr. George Proffer, who has been transferred there from Collet’s Hampstead branch.”

Details

Location

52 Charing Cross Road WC2H 0BB Soho / London
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