Jonkers: A History

Jonkers Rare Books was founded in 1994 by Christiaan Jonkers, at the time an undergraduate at Oxford, as an extension of his own collection of twentieth century literature.  The principles which Christiaan had employed when buying for his personal collection: that of buying only the best copies available and that a fine copy of a book was better value that a compromised copy at half the price, influenced the advice and books he offered to friends and customers.  These principles remain at the heart of Jonkers' stock selection to this day.

Upon leaving Oxford, Christiaan set the company up as a going concern, issuing catalogues and exhibiting at occasional bookfairs.  

In 1998 Jonkers merged with Bromlea Books run by Sam Johnstone and her parents, operating briefly as Bromlea & Jonkers before reverting to Jonkers Rare Books when Sam Johnstone became Sam Jonkers.  Bromlea Books had specialised in children's and illustrated books, which perfectly complemented the Jonkers expertise in nineteenth and twentieth century literature.
It was also in 1998 that the shop in Henley on Thames was acquired, bringing the carefully selected stock of books to a wider audience.  

Since then Jonkers have been quietly (and sometimes not so quietly) rooting out rare and unique books, helping clients, including some of the foremost collectors and institutions in the world, to enhance their collection.  Although the size and scope of the business has increased significantly, the underlying principles of discerning selection, honest advice and meticulous research remain as true today as when the business started.