Dates

• Existence: 1848-2002. - 2002

Biography

James Thin was the founder of the Family firm of booksellers. He opened his first bookshop at Infirmary Street, Edinburgh in 1848. This shop remained the main store, expanding to take over adjoining properties on South Bridge. Its location opposite Edinburgh University Old College promoted its business as general and academic booksellers.

The business converted to a limited status in the 1970s and rapidly expanded to a high in 1998 with 35 UK branches and 650 staff. In 1994 Thin bought 20 Volume One shops. However, James Thin went into voluntary administration in January 2002 and 8 shops were bought by Ottakars and 12 shops, including South Bridge, were bought by Blackwell’s. James Thin’s publishing house Mercat Press had a management buy out. Throughout its long history the company remained in the control of the Thin family.

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