Books and David Bowie in Brixton

The first warmish day of summer 2017 encouraged me to visit the memorial to David Bowie in Brixton, London.

Hatchards 1797 London
Hatchards 1797 London

The day started well as I walked past Hatchards Picadilly branch – where a David Bowie poster for the collector edition of the Terry O’Neill book drew me in to the store.

Bowie book outside Hatchards
Bowie book outside Hatchards

Hatchards, established in 1797, is London’s oldest bookshop and with 3 ‘Royal Appointments’ certainly the best-connected one, though I doubt if the Bowie book was on the Royal’s ‘must have’ list.

Bradt Guide in Hatchards
Bradt Guide in Hatchards

Downstairs I searched for, and found, my Bradt Guide to Oman which was displayed on the bottom shelf 🤨 underneath Arabian Sands by Wilfred Thesiger.

Tony Walsh at David Bowie Memorial Brixton
Tony Walsh at David Bowie Memorial Brixton

Green Park to Brixton is an easy tube ride and I crossed over to Tunstall Rd to see the 2013 picture by James Cochran of David as Aladdin Sane.

David Bowie Memorial
David Bowie Memorial

Its not quite as large as photos make it appear, but it is a wonderful portrayal and good to be photo’d in front of, my fan moment.

David Bowie's childhood home Stansfield Road
David Bowie’s childhood home Stansfield Road

A short walk from the picture is the reason that it was painted there and became David Bowie’s memorial; his childhood home was at Stansfield Road from his birthdate for 6 years.

Author: Tony Walsh

Book author including the current Bradt guide to Oman