G. F. Sims (Firm) (1947-1987)
Biography
The firm of G.F.Sims (Rare Books) was founded in 1947 in Harrow, Middlesex and was moved to Hurst, Reading, Berkshire in 1952. The catalogs produced by the firm during these years are acknowledged by collectors and by members of the trade as one of the most important resources for the study of modern literary manuscripts. Many of the most important single manuscripts and collections that became available were handled by G.F. Sims. The firm was dissolved in 1987.
George F. Sims was born on August 3, 1923 in London. From 1940-1942, he was employed as an intern for the Press Association while also working for a antiquarian book dealer. From 1942-1947, Sims served in the Royal Army and mustered out as a sergeant. He founded G.F. Sims Rare Books in 1947. Sims was also an author and published his recollections of writers and the book trade in three books entitled "The Rare Book Game" (1985), "More of the Rare Book Game" (1988), and "Last of the Rare Book Game" (1990). He also wrote novels including "The Terrible Door" in 1964. Sims died in 1999.
Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:
George Sims papers
George Sims (1923-1999), author and book seller. Consists of correspondence, manuscripts, notebooks, dust jackets, catalogues, bulletins, proofs, invoices and receipts as well as clippings and ephemera related to his business as a rare book dealer ,and the publications of his mystery novels.
G.F. Sims correspondence
G. F. Sims firm (1947-1987), rare book dealer. The collection contains correspondence of the rare books firm concerning the purchase and sale of rare books and modern literary manuscripts. Contains significant correspondence from both the creators of literary manuscripts and collectors, both private and institutional.