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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Citizens News, 1976-03-03, Page 515,000 volumes Unique hobby, antique books now business' up all across Canada about the same time and they were all competing to build up their libraries of Canadiana." The demand has since tapered off but the prices have remained at the inflated level, said. Mr. Smith. Outlining his method of oper- ation, Mr. Smith explained that his business is strictly mail order. Citizefis News, March 3/76 - Page 5 In his "book house" located behind his residence on highway four just south of Hensall, Jack Smith often spends hours alone at a hobby which is not only int- eresting but profitable as well. Not really alone, according to Mr. Smith, who says he has a sense of being "among friends" when he's working on his hobby and part-time business involving antique and ,used books. Mr. Smith estimates he has about 15,000 volumes in his collect- ion including 6,000 books of Can- adiana, 2,500 books on agricult- ure. He also specializes in books on the Mennonite culture and his early Canadian collection is main- ly from the early 1800's with some as old as the late 1700's. A native of the Hillsgreen area, south of Varna, Mr. Smith relates that his interest in antique books is relatively recent. He recalls having an interest in antiques and while attending auction sales, he often saw books being sold very cheaply. At one Hensall auction, he bid on a lot of books and got them for almost nothing. Checking through them after his purchase, Mr. Smith found many to be of an antique class and it sparked an interest which has continued to grow. Sitting in his "book house" which is the size of a small modern bungalow, Mr. Smith said his collection, and subseq- uent growing business, limped along until 1967. The Canadian centennial and interest in Can- adian history caused a boom and in his most active year, Mr. Smith sold over 1,000 books, at a handsome profit. "It was as though penny stocks all of a sudden became dollar stocks," said Mr. Smith, a material control manager with Northern Electric in London. "Universities began springing He has a number of "pickers" who gather books for him and and send him lists of their books. He selects those he wishes to add to his collection and they are purchased by mail. Mr. Smith in turn receives lists of books wanted by librar- ies and universities as well as • collectors. Checking out the lists against his stock, Mr. Smith then resells the volumes, again by alai'. When he was first starting his collection, Mr. Smith had all books on a card index system but soon realized that he was spending more time indexing than he was selling books. Now he has his books arranged by HEAVY HOBBY - Jack Smith of the Hensall collection of about 15,000 books. area looks over one of the many antique volumes in his News Photo section and amazingly knows most of the books on the shelves from memory. If Mr. Smith 's hobby and part- time business seems a little docile to some, it is a welcome change to' his past. Mr. Smith .spent many years as an electron- ics technician with the Canadian Air Force, living all across Can- ada including, a stint in the Yukon, in Washington with the National Security Association and on the Canadian dew -line radar system far into the Arctic. Mr. Smith did a stint with the Air Force during World War II and after the war re-enlisted and went to the Yukon with his wife Beth. One of their children was born in the Yukon in what Jack describes as rather primitive conditions. He later went with the National Security Association which he described as a wing of the C.I.A., on loan from the Canadian government. Later, as an employee of Federal Electric, he managed radar stations on the dew -line. While Mr. Smith seems to have some fond memories of his earl= ier travels, he also seems to be very happy with his present diversion. "My only complaint is that I don 't seem to have as much time for the hooks as I would like to," said Mr. Smith. Inside the Smith home, anew home Jack and Beth built three years ago, books are still very much in view. A large personal collection adorns the livingroom wall, including originals of Mrs. Jameson 's "Summer Rambles," one of the mgst famous early Canadian publications. Although Jack feels his 15,000 volumes is quite large enough, he's looking forward to the time when he can devote more of his time to. what must be a very rewarding hobby. Ball -Macaulay Limfted- CUNTON SEAFO !T l HE > SALL 482-3405 527-0910 262-2418 r TOP QUALITY PANELS BY WELDW°00 PREFINISHED PLYWOOD PANELLING Excellent real wood reproductions with a durable and washable finish. The satin finish makes it easy to clean. Choose from these favorite characteristic and distinctive wood grains— ELM OAK WALNUT PECAN CEDAR ROSEWOOD RED TAG SPECIALS Selected Panels at SAVINGS TO YOU! 4' x 8' PANELS