Archives Fine Books
For lovers of books & print culture
Brisbane City
Publishing, Journalism & Podcasts
This project will raise funds to engage Brisbane architectural historian Marianne Taylor, a.k.a. The House Detective, to research one of Brisbane's early commercial buildings at 40 Charlotte St, Brisbane. Built in 1919-20 by local printer John Mills (Himself) the building is now heritage listed and home to several boutique businesses including Brisbane's oldest second hand bookstore Archives Fine Books.
Marianne Taylor, The House Detective
John Mills decided to build after striking out on his own as a printer. Legend has it that the words "John Mills Himself" inscribed at the top of the buidling refer to split from a previous partnership. His sense of humour was futher demonstrated in a sign showing the back of his head with the line, "This is John. Meet me face to face". This sign now hangs above the entrance to the coffee shop, also called John Mills Himself, that can be found on the lower level of the buidling.
The House Detective will produce a book about the history building and some of the businesses and personalities that have inhabited "John Mills Himself" over the past century so that future historians, architects, and book lovers will have a link to the history of the building, the printer who built it and the bookstore that has inhabited it for 40 years.
A 98-page book will be produced in a print run of 200 copies, 35 of which will be signed by The House Detective and Hamish Alcorn & Dawn Albinger, current owners of Archives Fine Books. It will be hardcover and colour illustrated.
Everyone that donates to this project will have their name recorded in the program at the book's launch, which is intended for April 2026.
There are a range of rewards, with everyone that donates $65 or more receiving a "Subscriber's Copy", with their name appearing on the Subscriber's List within the book, in recognition of their contribution in bringing the book to life.
Archives Fine Books has initiated the campaign, and will co-host a reward event and the book launch. The House Detective is offering her services at a discounted rate, and offering to co-host a reward event. Copies of the book will be donated to the State Library of Queensland and the National Library of Australia.
Budget Overview
The total cost to produce the John Mills Himself Legacy project is $12,855. Here's the breakdown:
- Research, writing & layout $5000
- Print run of 200 hardcover colour copies $7132
- Shipping from printer to Brisbane $723
No Reward
I'm in it for the fun but I look forward to seeing my name in the print program at the book launch as a supporter of this great project.
$1 OR MORE5 chosen
Subscriber's Copy
Receive a Subscriber's Copy of the book with your name listed on the subscriber's page as having supported the book coming into being. NB Shipping will be added, unless you choose to collect from 40 Charlotte St, Brisbane.
$65 OR MORE35 chosen / 65 available
Est. delivery is Mar 26
A night of gothic romance with The House Detective plus a Subscriber's Copy
Spend a gothic candlelit night with Marianne Taylor, the House Detective, as she shares her own special connection to the building and the bookstore and reads from her favourite gothic novel, Jane Eyre. Plus receive a subscriber's copy of the book with your name listed on the subscriber's page as having helped bring the book into being. NB Shipping will be added, unless you choose to collect from 40 Charlotte St, Brisbane.
$85 OR MORE11 chosen / 14 available
Est. delivery is Mar 26
A tipple for ten
Join Hamish Alcorn for a glass of whiskey and a selection of C. J. Dennis poems which he will read in the back room at Archives Fine Books. When the bottle is empty and the poems digested, Hamish will shout any stayers to a night cap at Frog's Hollow (the whiskey bar next door). Participants in this pledge will also receive a subscriber's copy of the book, with their name listed on the subscriber's page. Hamish says in more civilised times, he would have offered cigars as well. C.J. Dennis is personal favourite of his, and largely overlooked today. Expect to hear a short passionate defense of Dennis' place in the Australian canon, as well as Hamish's reading of his poetry. This is an exclusive one-off offer for 10 people.
$100 OR MORE5 chosen / 5 available
Est. delivery is Mar 26
A night of gothic romance with The House Detective plus a Signed Subscriber's Copy and invitation to the launch
Spend a gothic candlelit night with Marianne Taylor, the House Detective, as she shares her own special connection to the building and the bookstore and reads from her favourite gothic novel, Jane Eyre. Plus, receive an invitation to the launch where you will receive a copy signed by The House Detective and Archives Fine Books owners Hamish Alcorn & Dawn Albinger; with your name listed on the subscriber's page as having helped bring the book into being. Of the 200 copies being printed, only 35 will be signed. NB Shipping will be added, unless you attend the launch, or choose to collect from 40 Charlotte St, Brisbane.
$125 OR MORE20 chosen / 5 available
Est. delivery is Mar 26
Dedication rights PLUS invitations to the night of gothic romance, the book launch AND signed copies!
The book will be dedicated to the person of your choosing! A book dedication is a small section, usually given its own page at the start of a book, where the author gives special mention, acknowledgment or thanks to a person or group of people. To have a book dedicated to you is considered an honour. This is the best way we can think to properly thank the special person that contributes significantly to this project. Plus you will receive an invitation for two to the candle lit night of gothic romance where Marianne Taylor will read from Jane Eyre. And last but not least you will receive 4 tickets to the book's launch, where you will receive 4 signed copies to share with family and friends. NB Shipping for the five signed copies will be added, unless you attend the launch, or choose to collect from 40 Charlotte St, Brisbane.
1 chosen / 0 available
Est. delivery is Apr 26