World Book Day: A Look Inside Vellum Libraries With Clemmie Jackson-Stops
“A library is an immensely personal space - the books one has are very revealing and I love the relationship I build with my clients as we work to build their collections.” - Founder of Vellum Libraries, Clemmie Jackson-Stops.
In celebration of World Book Day and the immeasurable value of a book and reading, we ‘virtually’ sat down with self-confessed bibliophile and founder of Vellum Libraries, Clemmie Jackson-Stops.
Clemmie is a book consultant and curator of personal libraries, with luxury hotels, interior designers, architects, and individuals among her arsenal of clientele around the world. Clemmie thoughtfully hand-picks and creates the perfect book collection upon request for fellow book lovers perhaps unable to find the perfect novel that suits their preferences. Get to know Clemmie with us below and discover a few suggestions she made for you, our Société reader.
In the insightful words of Argentine writer and journalist, Carlos María Domínguez, “To build up a library is to create a life. It’s never just a random collection of books.”
How did you come to possess such a wealth of knowledge that enables you to curate an ideal collection of books for your clients?
Before setting up Vellum I worked in the book industry for over twelve years. Latterly, I had the absolute pleasure of working for one of London’s finest bookshops, curating libraries and choosing books for clients around the world. There are few better jobs and it made me realise that piecing together book collections, however large or small, was the dream. I love talking to fellow bibliophiles about their reading taste and their aspirations for their book collections. What people read, how, and why they choose their books and what they love is endlessly interesting to me. Plus, I get to spend most of my days handling wonderful books!
What are the key preferences you need to know about your clients when creating a bespoke library?
Well, as much as possible really! I will have a fairly lengthy conversation (or two) with the client which will allow me to pin down a really thorough brief. This will range from the books they have already, the space they would like to fill, what aesthetic they want to achieve and, most importantly, what their interests are and what they want to read or collect in the future. A library is an immensely personal space - the books one has are very revealing and I love the relationship I build with my clients as we work to build their collections.
Can you tell us a little bit about your ‘Lockdown Libraries’ collection everyone is talking about?
Well, the Lockdown Libraries began as a bit of fun and light relief in the first lockdown but they have proved so popular we are still going nearly a year later. After a brief reading consultation by email or phone, I choose five books to suit the recipient’s reading taste. It can be hardback/paperback, fiction/nonfiction or a mix. The books are sent beautifully wrapped with a handwritten note. It is a lovely way to connect with friends and family that we can’t otherwise see.
You mention you also curate antiquarian collections. Where do you find these kinds of books?
Every project I work on is different but when it comes to antiquarian books, I source the books myself and work with trusted antiquarian specialists chosen to suit each project.
Can you tell us a little about some of your most notable or unusual commissions?
Well, my favourite brief of the last year came from author and journalist, Sophy Roberts, who asked me to curate 100 books thinner than a mobile phone - books that you can read in one sitting, in the bath or over the course of one evening. It was a wonderful journey around the literary world to choose them and I discovered some fabulous reading for myself too!
Have you any favourite authors?
Well, the list is fairly endless as you can imagine! But if you insist on a name then I love Michael Ondaatje’s novels. I also read a lot of non-fiction - letters, diaries and biographies, particularly the twentieth century.
… And your most treasured book?
I think I treasure all my books as a collection the most. They represent so many different people, moments, places and events. Every book, or certainly each shelf, holds another memory. They are a record of my life.
Could you suggest some classics or bestsellers for the bibliophiles among us to read whilst in lockdown?
Lockdown has been a different literary experience for all of us. Some have found themselves reading more than ever before, and for others, the right book has been difficult to pin down in this time of heightened anxiety and fragmented concentration. So, for the former, I would recommend The Eighth Life, a wonderful translated epic family saga by Georgian writer Nino Haratischvili. And if you need something diverting but brief then try A Chess Story by Stefan Zweig.