James Thin

Origins

The company was founded in 1848 by James Thin (1824–1915). For most its existence the firm traded under Thin's own name, only becoming James Thin Ltd. in the 1970s. Thin had previously worked for 12 years for James McIntosh, a bookseller at 5 North College Street, having joined the firm as an apprentice at the age of eleven.

On 3 April 1848, Thin opened his own shop, at 14 Infirmary Street, having taken over the assets of a Mr Rickard, a bookseller who was in financial difficulties. Thin was 24 at the time. Trade was slow at first, but improved over the next few years. Most of its sales were in the academic market, thanks in part to the shop's location close to Edinburgh University.

In 1853, Thin took a lease on two rooms above a neighbouring shop, at 54 South Bridge. The only access to these rooms was by a staircase from the street. Although the rooms were in the same corner block as the Infirmary Street premises, there was no communication between them apart from a speaking tube. Two years later Thin took over an adjacent shop at 55 South Bridge, at which point he gave up the rooms at 54. An opening was built into the back wall of 55 to give access to the Infirmary Street premises.

Trade continued to improve and Thin was soon advertising the business as "the largest retail bookselling establishment in Edinburgh". In 1854, he issued his first catalogue of second-hand books. In 1864, the shop was extended into 15 Infirmary Street, a former tavern.