The Elements of Mechanism

I'm a profound collector of human experiences, which leads me to curate books from all periods; I'm perpetually fascinated by the differences in writing styles and perspectives. As a kid, I was all about jumble sales (comics, annuals) and those physical shops that are ever-diminishing. My granddad's book collection was amazing, and in no small way ensured that I could never saunter past a bookshop without a nagging thought suggesting I could have just walked past treasure! Most times, I just HAD to go on in, and I have many a shelf filled. As my profession – documentary film-making – is more like an occasional fund-raising hobby than a well-paying job, I have always had to be open to new ways to raise the funds required to keep curating and translating real-life human stories on camera. During COVID, I spent time caring for a D-Day veteran, which turned into my first self-published book, featuring video via QR codes on the pages. He's no longer with us, so I'm proud to have done that in a VERY unconventional way. Recently, an established publisher made an offer for a more traditional work, but I also need to go wandering further afield (I'm mid-fifties, now, so I should get a wriggle on!), so I know I cannot do all that while habitually collecting! So here's my bookshop. Read on if you want to know more about my documentary film-making, but TLDR: every item has been collected on my previous travels and is in my house. Every purchase helps fund "Project Filmanthropic", my long-term purpose in life; curating and translating other people's stories (along with a few of my own, too!) MORE: After graduating uni' in 1996, I set up a boutique film & TV company, getting by on small projects from local businesses; four very lean years! Even though I was mostly skint, I am proud to say I still found time to get involved with various charitable schemes, inspired by my Prince's Youth Business Trust Mentor, Derek Rollinson. In early 2000, I had an idea that turned into a TV show that I edited in my bedroom-based 'studio'! As my company got more commercial TV projects -and by now I was in front of camera- it felt only right that I re-invest some of my success in continuing Derek's legacy, and have worked with Age UK, Macmillan, Prostate Cancer UK, Mind, Childern In Need and more by producing short films to raise awareness and help shoulder some of the burdens of life that we all have to carry at some point. About 12 years ago, I decided to go back behind the camera to tell real human stories; I had to re-learn and re-invest, which meant putting my house where my mouth was! Having been an avid collector of all kinds of items, it only makes sense for me to help fund monthly bills (film-making is REALLY expensive) by selling them (and others I might pick up) so that I can continue to tell stories that matter, and help us bond through human experiences, far and wide. You can check out lots of archive on my website link: www.RichLifeStories.com Every single purchase made helps keep previously treasured items out of landfills. An object's history may be a mystery, but I can't help think that 'make do and mend' is a way better mindset than ordering cheap tat from East Asia—and a lot better for the planet too!…