BOB DOBSON – A LANCASHIRE LAD OF BOOKS (Offer at bottom)
This month the LHL Noticeboard highlights Bob Dobson, A follower of LHL and a
man consumed by his beloved Lancashire and in particular books. Bob introduces
himself and then makes an offer for any and all who might be interested in acquiring
some reading materials from him. Please read on…..
I was born and bred in Accrington ( You can't BUY class). Educated at Accrington
Grammar School, on leaving I worked briefly as a clerk for the National Coal Board
before becoming a member of the Lancashire Constabulary
I entered the world of second hand books in 1968 after meeting a chap who was a
dealer. We became friends and I joined a newly-formed local history society. At that
time, I was a "Z-Cars" cop working throughout the northern half of the county. Within a
short time, I decided to specialise in Lancashire-interest books, selling my stock by
issuing a typed list sent out by post. In the early 70s, I had two books published by
Dalesman Publishing -"Lancashire Nicknames & Sayings" and "Concerning Clogs"
By this time, I was also selling Yorkshire-interest books.,and decided to become a
publisher myself under the name of "Landy Publishing" . The name was taken from a
shunting engine I had seen on Fleetwood docks, which had been owned by the
Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Company in times past. My first book was "Clattering
Clogs" which comprised material - poems and tales. I moved onto publishing local
history books by others and Lancashire dialect anthologies, continuing after retiring
from the county force to become a full-time book dealer, publisher and organiser of
second hand book fairs.
In 1999 I was offered a job as editor of a monthly magazine about Lancashire which
Dalesman Publishing proposed to start in 2001. At that time, I wasn't a computer-
user, and turned the offer down. It was a good job I did, as the proposed magazine
never came to fruition. Before the offer was made, I had published 4 quarterly issues
of "The Really Lancashire Magazine" but ceased as I couldn't make it pay.
I have retained my email address( landypublishing@yahoo.co.uk ) and today I work
from home and have a store-room near by. I have never had a shop nor a website
and I no longer have an on-line presence, but I do have an extensive mailing list.
Now I am trying to "sell up" by selling my stock at half the catalogue price. I still have
an interest in the world of books and of Lancashire's many aspects and would be
pleased to receive any enquiries.
Bob's Offer
I am trying to sell up my Lancashire-interest catalogue of second hand books. I
have another list of miscellaneous second hand books, some of which may interest
LHL readers. I welcome visitors to view my stock at my store-room near
Blackpool. Contact me on 01253 886103 and /or landypublishing@yahoo.co.uk..
My miscellaneous list has several Cumbria-related books and some on social
history.
I ought to mention that a pal of mine publishes a monthly newsletter aimed at those
who attend book fairs in the North West and those who regard themselves as ";book
people" - Gerry gives free advertising in the newsletter - drop him a line
at gerrycotterbooks@gmail.com
Thank you everyone,
BOB