Published April 24, 2018 by Katherine Cowdrey
Sir Peter Blake, often referred to as the "Godfather of British Pop Art", has designed the collectors' edition tote for this year's Books Are My Bag (BAMB) campaign, annually celebrating bookshops in the UK and Ireland.
Blake, 85, who co-created the sleeve design for the 1967 Beatles' album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, has created the BAMB tote in his signature pop art style, using colours red, green, yellow and cornflower blue to spell out the word "read" with a fuscia border.
It will be made available in bookshops up and down the country from Bookshop Day, this year being celebrated on Saturday 6th October, when bookshops will also hold author talks, book signings and special events. Further details are to be announced later in the year.
The Bookseller Association's Alan Staton commented: “We are absolutely thrilled that Sir Peter has given his support to booksellers and the campaign in this way. His wonderful design will be loved by booksellers and their customers.”
The public vote for the Books Are My Bag Readers Awards, curated by bookshops, will also open on Bookshop Day, with the awards themselves being presented on 13th November.
Meryl Halls, m.d. at the Booksellers Association, said: “Bookshop Day and the Books Are My Bag Readers Awards have both really captured the public’s imagination since they were launched in 2016, and they’ve both already become key dates in the publishing calendar. We’ve got lots of exciting things instore for this year’s Books Are My Bag campaign – watch this space.”
Over the last five years, over a million people have worn a Books Are My Bag canvas bag in support of the campaign. Booksellers can order the Peter Blake limited edition bags by visiting the BAMB website and logging into the BA member area between 10th April and 4th May.