Ep.28 | Book dealer Lorence Johnston on Fahrenheit 451, The Story of Ferdinand and the business of rare books.

In this episode I met Lorence Johnston, a Hong Kong-based rare book dealer. We spoke about how Lorence began his business, discussed surprising facts of some of his current rare books including the jacket of Brad Bury’s Fahrenheit 451 and the amazing background of The Story of Ferdinand. Lorence Johnston has been running Lok Man Rare Books in Central for 15 years, working with a dizzying range of valuable books, from the world’s first atlas and 18th century travel to first editions of James Bond and Hemingway. It has been his longest time in one company ever. Asia credentials - six years in Singapore followed by 25 years in Hong Kong, with a year off in South Africa for good behaviour and an MBA. He cut his teeth as a leather trader in France, Spain, Singapore and Hong Kong, shipping millions of square feet around the world. In between leather and rare books Lorence has been involved in the dotcoms, television start-ups, luxury brands, asset management, brand financing, security systems and numerous other distractions. Lorence has also found time to enjoy two now grown-up children, rowing, sailing a couple of times to the Philippines, outriggers, squash, trail running etc. etc. (well, this is Hong Kong…), his most recent madness being a 250km trail race across the north of Madagascar. Lorence is a professional member of the Geneva based International League of Antiquarian Booksellers, and the Antiquarian Booksellers Association based in London. website www.lokmanbooks.com Instagram @lokmanrarebooks Facebook Lok Man Rare Books ----- The Last Supper Instagram @thelastsupper.asia Website The Last Supper | Email: [email protected] ----- The Last Supper is supported by the Hong Kong Art Gallery Association http://www.hk-aga.org