John Philipps is the proprietor of an extraordinary book store on London Road, St Leonards. He hands me and my friend comp slips with a beautiful picture of the Scarlet Pimpernel on them.
The shop is absolutely rammed and even has a Whizzer & Chips annual in the window. This really impresses me somehow.
Looking to do some collage work (and on an extreme budget!), I asked if he had any books he was going to throw out. “No”, he said matter of factly, “I never throw anything out”.
“Do you have any damaged books, maybe?”, I asked.
“I repair them!”, he said.
After a while I was browsing amazing and expensive photographic books. He pulled out a huge Magnum Photography book. One of the photographers lives, or lived nearby and he knows the family well. I, of course, want to meet this elite ninja of photography, and maybe next time, I will. One day I’ll be on Magnum. One day.
The shop has two floors, the upper reached by a wide sweeping staircase almost buried in books. The upstairs is literally a book mountain.
I had put my bag and coat on a chair whilst browsing. By the time I came back, they were already covered in books, which seemed to be breeding by the minute.
Love this shop. Known John since 1987. Have spent hours in his shop, over the years, reading, talking with him. Only Lockdown and my arthritis put a stop on that. They tell me John has died. Has he? It seems impossible. He has so much life in him. Please tell me it is not true? If it is, please tell me how, when and why? And what is to happen with his books? And where to send my condolences? To his daughter? Where is she? The world is a sadder place without such as John Phillipps.
Mary Rothwell
Hello Mary, thank you for your comment. I was not aware of this news. If that is the case, it is very sad news indeed. I also spent many happy hours in that shop, and likely read more books in there than I actually bought. John and I would spend hours exploring and talking about interesting books. If I can find out any more, I’ll get in touch.
Hi, I’m Catherine Sutton (nee Philipps), John Philipps’ daughter. We’ve been reading this article lately and just seen these messages. Dad died suddenly on 8th January although he had spent Christmas in hospital, he was really ok, full of vigour and humour! So his sudden demise came as a shock to us all, despite his tender age of 86 years! He actually died of a heart attack and finally there will be a service and cremation for him on 9th march.
It has been so lovely to hear your views and memories of him. He was a much loved figure in St Leonard’s with a strong personality! We are trying to sort out the books at the moment! As you can Imagine this us quite a tall order! Many thanks, Catherine
Sorry to confirm the news, but John passed away suddenly in January of a heart attack – I expect nobody was more surprised than him. You may have seen the notice in the Hastings Observer on 19th February. John was indeed a friend to many and a real character in St Leonards, who will be sadly missed. We are pleased to read the kind comments on this site.
Hi Catherine, thank you for getting in touch and letting me know what happened. Sending my condolences to you and your family. I am currently not in St Leonards, but friend’s tell me there’s been World of Books vans outside these past few days?