Carrying On
Now here's a video to warm the cockles of our bibliophilic hearts, the origin story of those ubiquitous "Keep Calm and Carry On" posters from WWII-era Britain. You know the ones: stark font, classy crown, bold two-color scheme, and endless parodies (and we meme endless).
But more fascinating than this little slice of design-o history is the discovery of their discovers: Barter Books in Alnwick, Northumberland up in the northeast of Britain, a hour south from Edinburgh and three-hours train from London. Not only is this temple to words lovingly hewn from the stone skeleton of the Victorian-era train station, replete with roaring fire in the former Waiting Room and glass cases filled with antiquarian treasures where the tracks used to be, but there's a freaking model train running over the whole shebang. Start watching at 1:15 to get a peak. Next time we're in Britain we'll be sure to get one in person.
Barter Books
Alnwick Station
Northumberland NE66 2NP
+44 (0) 1665 604888
bb@barterbooks.co.uk
