John McKenzie stands in front of his store, with Sue Robinson
by Mayukh Ghosh
The young man, in his mid-twenties, operated from his parents' home.
One day a man rung him to say that he would be visiting him to buy a few Wisdens.
Mr. Pineter.
He duly arrived and our man's mother opened the door.
And stood amazed.
In front of her was one of the world's most famous playwrights.
She shouted upstairs to say that Harold Pinter was there to visit him but his son replied confidently, " No, no. It's Mr. Pineter."
It was embarrassing but they became good friends.
He used to visit Pinter's house and played table tennis with him.
John McKenzie's father was a journalist in South Africa. They moved to England in the mid-1950s and he had his first taste of a Test match in 1960.
England v South Africa at Lord's.
Unfortunately they went on the wrong day and missed Geoff Griffin's hat-trick.
But three years later he didn't miss when Colin Cowdrey came out to bat with a broken arm.
By that time, still in his teens, he was gradually becoming a collector.
Neville Cardus' Australian Summer ignited the flame and there was no looking back.
He adored Bradman and Hammond.
The first auction he ever attended was the sale of Wally Hammond’s effects in the late 1960’s.
As soon as he left school he found jobs in two prestigious antiquarian bookshops- Francis Edwards and Ben Weinreb.
They didn't sell cricket books but there McKenzie learnt about the best ways to run the business.
There were the second-hand bookshops in London which helped him build his collection in those early days.
"In my early days I was fortunate enough to obtain rarities such as:
Lambeth’s Guide 1816
A complete set of original edition Wisdens
Two editions of Felix on the Bat
Many of these appeared in my first catalogue in 1972."
Then in 1984, along with the Library Association, he published the revised edition of Padwick's Bibliography of Cricket.
Six years earlier, he had become a publisher.
He republished St. Ivo and The Ashes by R.D. Beeston.
John Arlott wrote the foreword and there were only 75 copies.
He has published over 50 books. Some of them are new editions of 18th century rare books.
He has found able support in the long term staffs Sue Robinson and Jean Stephens.
He has recently published catalogue number 200.
A man who started with some basic lists of cricket books in the early 1970s now finds that his catalogues themselves have become collectibles.
Memorable moments?
Plenty.
"One outstanding book I remember buying had previously been Arthur Shrewsbury’s copy, signed by him, but that was a long time ago!
I also bought several signed items in the early 1990’s when W.G. Grace’s library was sold.
The most memorable auction I attend was in 1985 when the Tony Winder collection was sold.
I remember I was asked by Hanif Mohammad to stock copies of his autobiography, which I did. He invited me to his flat in Knightsbridge where he signed copies for me."
A much revered man.
Summed up well by an Australian collector: " It is hard to say much about JW McKenzie except that he has a fine memory, like all good dealers, he is very welcoming to visitors to his shop, and like me enjoys a pint. It is always an educational joy to share an hour or two with him. A great man.
John McKenzie was born on December 14, 1946.