Meet Our Exhibitors at Firsts London: Beaux Books

Based in Hampshire, Beaux Books was founded in 2012 by owner Clare Trimming, after 18 years' experience in the rare book trade. Beaux Books specialises in fine and rare books on art, design, fashion and photography, with a focus on the art and culture of the 20^th century.

How did Beaux Books begin?

I founded Beaux Books in 2012. I’d previously worked for London book firms but a move to the country, the introduction of small children to the family and a desire to do-it-myself propelled me to start out on my own. I’ve always worked with material on art and design and that continues to be the case. I love making connections from one creative life to another. ‘Only connect’ is a motto in business as well as life.

Is there as ‘holy grail’ book you’re always on the lookout for but have not yet come across?

There’s always a few books on my wish list at any given time. One title which has remained stubbornly on the list for many years is the catalogue for the infamous Bruno Hat Affair of 1929. An elaborate art hoax orchestrated by the Bright Young Things, the affair involved the discovery of a hitherto unknown German artist by the name of Bruno Hat. An exhibition of Hat’s modernist works was mounted in the home of Bryan Guinness and Diana Mitford. Society and the press flocked to encounter the art world’s latest genius. Hat was in fact a disguised Tom Mitford. The paintings were created by Brian Howard and John Banting. The catalogue, copies of which are exceedingly elusive, includes an introduction by A.R. de T., none other than Evelyn Waugh. Sometimes I wonder whether the existence of a catalogue is itself is a hoax.

What kinds of collections do you absolutely love working on with customers?

I love working with customers as they are just starting out on their collecting journey. It is fun to follow the paths of connections that spring out from a single starting point. One artist leads to another and the collection can grow in surprising directions. I recently completed a project for a London hotel. The brief was to create a library seemingly built up over time by a single owner. It was an indulgence to put myself in the shoes of an imagined well-travelled bibliophile who had spent their life engaging with the major artistic events of the twentieth century.

What do you like about exhibiting at large rare book events like Firsts London?

The people! I love meeting old and new customers, and being part of the conversations that spring up around the books. I love seeing colleagues in the book trade. The rare book trade is such a friendly and supportive environment, and Firsts is an excellent opportunity for us to showcase what we do. The Saatchi Gallery is a fantastic venue and the fair aims to make people from all ages and demographics feel welcome.

Do you have a favourite item you’re planning to bring to Firsts this year?

This year we have a beautiful collection of colour sample books that we will bringing to the fair. The collection includes a first edition of Robert Ridgway’s Nomenclature of Colors for Naturalists from 1886, the original 1915 first issue of the Standard Color Card of America, a sample card of paint colours to be used for the Coronation of Edward VIII and then George VI, and a Day-Glo florescent colour chart from 1969. As well as being important reference tools for artists and designers, the charts and samples, with their rainbows of colours, are beautiful objects in their own right. These are books that need to be seen in the flesh and the book fair is the perfect place to do that.

You can visit Beaux Books at stand H63 at Firsts London.