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 Bookshops > South East > Kent > Deal

Secondhand and Antiquarian Bookshops in the UK 2020

Key
 Open at advertised times
Phone before travelling
Appointment necessary

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McConnell Fine Books
The Golden Hind
85 Beach Street 
DEAL  Kent  CT14 6JB   map
tel: 01304 375086  web
Open: Appointment necessary
Secondhand and antiquarian books including literature, history and books about Kent.

 Add a comment  Read commentsHide commentsIt is a long time since I have been so angry after visting a bookshop. I found the owner's attitude towards myself and other customers to be beyond the pale. His main aim is to sell "fine bindings" and little else. Stock small and unexamined as in my two minutes in the shop I was looked upon as scum and totally unwanted. Visit only if you want to be insulted. - Chris Harte 27.06.09.
    I am all for constructive opinion and have used your guide in the past. However, this review completely blurs the distinction between 'fair comment' and malicious comment. It is not at all constructive or informative and appears to be nothing more than a personal attack on the shop's proprietor. "I was looked upon as scum" "Visit only if you want to be insulted" ? And all of this formulated in a "two minute" visit. I am suprised that a publication that sets out to actively encourage book buyers to visit 'real' as opposed to 'virtual' bookshops has allowed such a comment to be posted. - Steve Baxter. 11.08.09.
    What utter nonsense your initial reviewer has written! I regularly visit the Golden Hind and have always found Nick McConnell enthusiastic, knowledgeable and utterly charming. Mr. Harte must be an idiot not to spot that this is quite obviously a shop that specialises in fine bindings and in some very good local history, and, if he had bothered to find out, would have discovered that it contains one of the finest selections of this type of book in the world, let alone in East Kent. That a reviewer can so utterly misunderstand a business and be allowed to do so much potential damage to a seller that has an international clientele and reputation is disgraceful, and he should ensure that he gets his facts right before going into print. - Nicholas Pendower 18.08.09.
    I was sorry to see the first review. It's true that the Golden Hind is not the charming little local bookshop it was in Michael Hoskins' day but Nick McConnell has at least kept it open. Important to remember that he is an antiquarian dealer not a second hand bookseller then you wont be disappointed. Stock is high quality and Nick is a very pleasant fellow who has never been rude to a customer while I was in the shop! I always visit when in the area and recommend it, depending on your interest. - Anthony Davis 13.10.09.
    Revisited after reading what the owner's friends (see above) thought of my initial comments. My opinion has not changed one iota. - Chris Harte 13.01.11.
    I agree with those who find the owner of McConnell's bookshop in Deal offhand and unhelpful. It wasn't entirely unreasonable to ask if he carried local marine subjects. It would be nice if the reviewers avoided so much personal sniping. - Lee 25.01.11.
    Now only open by appointment. - TBG 23.10.13.

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