How a former rice dealer grew to become a collector and promoter of uncommon books
Other than gathering previous uncommon books and magazines from district cities and distant villages throughout the nation, this Natore guide collector promotes his assortment on social media and connects with collectors from all around the nation
At the moment, the web page ‘Outdated Assortment’ has 35,000 followers. So way over 6,000 folks have purchased previous books from Shariful Islam. Pictures: Courtesy
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At the moment, the web page ‘Outdated Assortment’ has 35,000 followers. So way over 6,000 folks have purchased previous books from Shariful Islam. Pictures: Courtesy
Over a decade in the past, Shariful Islam, a rice dealer in Naogaon again then, went to Kishoreganj to go to his in-laws. Throughout his keep, he seen folks chatting with grocers and shopping for and promoting a type of previous paper. He noticed that the worth of solely two pages of a newspaper which might be a couple of years previous is Tk 20, whereas the present worth of a whole newspaper is Tk10 or much less.
He was shocked and wished to know the explanation.
By way of the consumers and sellers, he realized that these have been bamboo paper, produced on the Pakshi mill. Years again, this paper was used to publish newspapers and authorities gazettes. The villagers have been utilizing this paper to make cigarettes and smoke, leading to its worth hike.
Ever since Sharif started gathering previous newspapers from the village retailers at a charge of Tk350 per kg.
Afterwards, Sharif began gathering previous books and magazines out of curiosity, and he finally obtained to know that there are particular folks all around the nation who’re additionally obsessed with shopping for and promoting previous books. He started visiting district cities and distant villages throughout the nation to complement his assortment.
In 2018, SM Sharif launched a Fb web page referred to as ‘Outdated Assortment.’ That is the place Sharif started selling his wealthy private assortment of books. With time, it grew to become not solely a trove of previous books, magazines and what have you ever, but in addition a technique to join guide collectors from throughout the nation, who can place orders for books on-line.
At the moment, the web page has 35,000 followers. So way over 6,000 folks have purchased previous books from him.
Firstly of this enterprise, a health care provider from Tangail purchased an previous newspaper for Tk1,000. Gadgets like detective collection books revealed by Seba Prokashani are additionally in excessive demand amongst guide collectors. Most notably, he offered a guide named ‘Aparinata Pap’ (1967) revealed by Seba Prokashani, for Tk22,000. The guide was written by Sheikh Abdul Hakim, the well-known creator of the Masud Rana collection.
Picture: Courtesy
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Picture: Courtesy
One other jewel in his assortment is the previous and in style guide ‘Sharaban Tahura’, which has been priced at Tk35,000. These two are the costliest books in his assortment thus far.
Not too long ago, Sharif opened a brand new social media web page referred to as ‘Outdated and Uncommon Guide Assortment’.
From curiosity to a collector
Sharif’s small godown-like store situated subsequent to Pagla Mosque in Kishoreganj Sadar homes many beneficial previous books and magazines that are witness to the course of our historical past.
Over time, loads of historical past grew to become distorted, and it’s these distortions which might be introduced to the brand new era. Due to Sharif’s assortment, writers, researchers, intellectuals, legal professionals and eminent folks began to commonly contact Sharif to achieve entry to genuine information of historical past.
“I began gathering previous books, magazines, previous cash, cash, postage stamps, previous mannequin radios and a whole lot of year-old plates out of curiosity. On the time, I had no marketing strategy or goal. So I collected them for myself. I used to maintain it. My spouse was very upset about the truth that I maintain filling my room with dusty, soiled previous books,” stated Sharif.
When Sharif began taking photos of his assortment and posting them on social media, folks took an curiosity and began contacting him. “Some have been so that they have been prepared to purchase them at a excessive worth. However the issue is, I’ve just one authentic copy of every guide. So if I gave it to 1 particular person, it might not be potential to provide it to others; the remaining can be disenchanted,” he defined.
And this was when his social media web page started to take off and garner curiosity from different guide collectors like himself.
Picture: Courtesy
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Picture: Courtesy
Based on Sharif, there are some consumers who won’t buy the rest aside from the unique copy of the primary version of the guide. In that case, the guide collectors are prepared to pay a number of instances greater than the worth of the guide.
“I even have 80 to 100-year-old books in my assortment. Some books have been offered out, as they weren’t photocopied from the unique. I would not have additional copies. But when anybody needs out there photocopies of different books for much less cash, they’re supplied these,” stated Sharif.
“I’ve saved a couple of books of Puthi literature from the 1320 Bangla yr. Within the earlier days, Puthi studying classes have been held in villages, when it was extremely popular. I’ve additionally saved some books from the nationwide curriculum of the Pakistan interval. I’m to know what these books have been like. Many individuals order these; some order the books for his or her kids,” Sharif additional added.
“Some folks even name me Boiwala”
Sharif’s assortment has additionally garnered him respect and dignity, and other people have come to learn about him.
“Being related to books, I get loads of love and respect from society. Many individuals doubted me at first, they thought that it was not possible for anybody to have such an previous guide. However after I ship the guide to them, they thank me and invite me for tea as a courtesy. It’s a nice achievement for an individual like me,” stated Sharif.
Sharif’s love for previous books has conjured a time period of endearment. “Some folks name me Boiwala,” he stated.
Picture: Courtesy
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Picture: Courtesy
Sharif recalled a few of his most joyous and endearing tales of discovering previous books. He sourced many of the beneficial previous books and magazines from thrift retailers. Within the course of, he additionally developed a very good rapport with the shopkeepers.
Whereas Sharif has to rummage via the filth and dirt to search out his treasured treasures, the euphoria of discovering these gems is what retains him going. After all, generally his searches finish in futility and that disappointment hurts. What hurts extra is that the extra he engages in his guide search, the extra he finds himself shedding curiosity in studying books. He likens this sense to neglecting a liked one after getting them.
However regardless of these challenges, Sharif has future plans to construct a library-slash-book museum in his district of Naogaon. He needs to construct an area the place readers and guide lovers can come and see uncommon books and magazines. He additionally intends to make his personal guide godown a beloved area amongst bookworms.
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