Mitchell's Library Finds New Home at Amnesty

0:00On March 20th, the personal library of celebrated poet Adrian Mitchell and his actress wife Celia has found a new home at Amnesty International's second-hand bookshop in Kintish Town. This massive collection of thousands of books, including many first editions and signed copies, was donated this week by their daughter Sasha, too. Support the human rights charity. Adrian passed away in 2008, and Celia died last year. The couple from Dartmouth Park filled their home with books and even ran ripping yarns, a beloved children's bookshop on Archway Road. Sasha knew her parents, especially her dad who backed Amnesty, would approve of the gift over starting another shop. Shop manager Beth Hayman and her volunteers are buzzing with excitement as they sort through the treasures. They describe it as a slice of cultural history, with books showing clear signs of loving care from true bibliophiles. The hall includes Edwardian and Victorian children's titles from the old shop stock, plus volumes on politics, history, feminism, poetry, and drama.

1:04Highlights so far feature signed books from Adrian's literary friends, like Ralph Stedman, and even some of his own manuscripts, which went back to Sasha. Plans are underway for a dedicated shelf in the store, online sales, auctions, and a special pop-up event to showcase the collection. It's breathing new life into these cherished reads, while funding Amnesty's vital work.