Books on Coventry

Oh that brings back memories, the yellow-cellophane, it used to line those old draper's shops which sold liberty bodices, vests and huge flannel knickers

Don't know if any of you have read a booklet called, 'Christmas in Old Coventry'. It was produced by Coventry Age Concern in the early 90's. I was the editor and it was based on contributions from people who entered a competition with the same name. It's very interesting - the Coventry Telegraph reprinted some of it a few years ago.

I must mention a particularly lovely book that might be bargain of the week on eBay at the moment. It's called "Sydney Bunney's Coventry", and is one of the most charming books on our city around. Sydney's watercolours are known for their accuracy, and many of his views show scenes of old Coventry that you'll never see in any photograph. Someone might snap it up for 2 quid (a fiver with P&P), and I'd love it to be one of you.... but don't step on each other's toes and force the price up!!

One of my favourites is "George Eliot's Coventry: A Provincial Town in the 1830's and 1840's. It not only tells of her life in the city but includes information about that great philanthropist Charles Grey. Published by the Coventry Historical Association in 1970. Unfortunately it's quite a rare book and not currently available on Amazon, but one copy is for sale on ABE Books.

Correction.... WAS for sale on ABE books!!! I just snapped it up - thank you for letting me know about that one DBC!

I shall get a copy of Sydney Bunney's work but in the meantime, I was keen to find out about his life and found this article which is very interesting. LINK

All just to mention if anyone looks on ebay - I've just bought a couple of used but pretty much perfect copies of Alton Douglas's Coventry photo books for a couple of pounds only! Always worth a lookout for

That really is interesting Foxcote, thank you for telling us about it. It makes a huge difference looking through the book and having more of an idea about the artist himself. The book has a little bit of information at the start, but not as much as that article.

Has anybody ever come across a copy of Coventry Picture Palaces by Gil Robottom. I believe he died shortly before publishing it and it was published by the Mercia Cinema Society which I think is now defunct. I have tried most bookshops and websites (both new and secondhand) and have got a permanent search on ebay for it but to no avail.

Oh I hate that when you can't get the publication you badly want. I am sure if anyone sees one, they will be straight on to help you. I have just had a look on the second hand book sites familiar to me but as you say - no luck yet.

After reading about 'Bunney's' life and seeing some of his work, I reckon there should be a 'Coventry Blue Plaque' trail of such folks and Albany Road should be Number one

Thanks for the link Foxcote. If it wasn't for this forum I would not have heard of Sydney Bunney but I shall keep an eye open for his works now. I might get lucky even here downunder !!

Thank you for that and yes I agree it is annoying. The problem is I have yet to come across anybody who has even seen a copy of the book. It's mentioned in a couple of Coventry Telegraph articles and is listed as published in 2008 but I wonder whether it was ever actually published.

Oh, I have definitely seen it, the Coventry Library seems to have it but not on loan? Coventry Picture Palaces Two copies not on loan it says, don't understand but I think they may be able to help. The book's details and cover is on 'Google Books' if you put the search in, but I reckon the library might be the ones to help you.

That could mean either both copies have been stolen or that it's only available from the Local History Centre. Personally I very much resent that there's no longer a local history section in the main lending library.