Albert Henry Spencer
Albert Henry Spencer | |
|---|---|
| Born | Albert Henry Spencer 8 March 1886 Balmain, New South Wales, Australia |
| Died | 20 February 1971 (aged 84) Parkville, Australia |
| Occupation | Bookseller |
| Years active | 1900–1959 |
| Known for | Founder of Hill of Content bookshop |
Albert Henry Spencer (8 March 1886 – 20 February 1971), commonly referred to as A. H. Spencer, was an Australian bookseller who specialized in antiquarian literature and Australiana. He established Melbourne's renowned Hill of Content bookshop, which is considered among the city's premier literary establishments. Spencer is acknowledged as "one of the final connections to a heroic era of Australian bookselling and collecting".
Early life
Spencer was born in Balmain, New South Wales to Henry Spencer, a labourer originally from Denmark, and Alice Jane (née Prynne). After losing his father at the age of two, his family faced financial difficulties. He attended Waverley Superior Public School, where an early appreciation for poetry ignited his enduring love for literature. At fourteen, he left formal education to work as a boot-clicker, contributing to his family's income.
Angus & Robertson, Sydney
Within eight months, Spencer began working at the bookselling and publishing firm Angus & Robertson as an errand boy, delivering books to distinguished clients such as David Scott Mitchell, whose collection later formed the basis of the Mitchell Library. From 1900 until 1922, he was mentored by prominent figures including George Robertson, Frederick Wymark, and Jim Tyrrell. Spencer honed his expertise in Australiana and managed Angus & Robertson’s secondhand book division. During this period, he cultivated connections with eminent collectors like businessman Sir William Dixson and Judge Sir John Ferguson.
Hill of Content, Melbourne
Determined to launch his own bookstore without rivaling Angus & Robertson, Spencer founded the Hill of Content in Melbourne in 1922. With backing from Frank Hobill Cole, George Robertson, and a £1,000 loan from Henry White, the shop was established at 86 Bourke Street—its location to this day. The store quickly became a significant venue for antiquarian, secondhand, and quality new books.
The shop attracted an early clientele that included distinguished book collectors, literary personalities, and prominent figures from Melbourne and Sydney such as Sir William Dixon, Daryl and Lionel Lindsay, Dame Nellie Melba, Tom Roberts, Arthur Streeton, alongside various politicians and professionals. It also welcomed visitors like British Poet Laureate John Masefield during the Victorian Centenary Celebrations of 1934.
Capitalizing on his reputation and extensive network during the 1920s, Spencer was entrusted with handling major private library dispersals including those of Frank Hobill Cole, Robert Carl Sticht, and Henry White. Edgar Charles Harris joined Hill of Content in 1923 to assist with managing these significant collections. The sale of Sticht’s library was vital for the shop’s financial stability, while other sales provided additional revenue.
Spencer organized Hill of Content as a private company by issuing preference shares primarily to medical professionals among his clientele. He also published several works—mainly poetry—under the imprint "A. H. Spencer, Hill of Content." Throughout World War II, Spencer supported Britain’s war effort by displaying posters in his shop windows and employed bold personal advertising campaigns for his publications.
Later years
In 1952, Spencer sold the Hill of Content bookstore to Angus & Robertson and continued his work by running the Shining Sea Bookroom from his residence in Sandringham. During the same year, he facilitated the relocation of Sir William Dixson's collection to the Public Library of New South Wales. By 1957, Spencer had returned to Angus & Robertson, joining their Melbourne Elizabeth Street location, and in 1959 he released his autobiography, The Hill of Content.
Personal life
Spencer wed pianist Eileen Rebecca O'Connor in 1909, and together they had two children named Robert and Joan. He was affiliated with the Presbyterian Church and was an active member of both the Freemasons and Rotary International. Spencer passed away in Parkville on 20 February 1971.
Further reading
- Australian Booksellers Association, The Early Australian Booksellers: The Australian Booksellers Association Memorial Book of Fellowship (Adelaide: Australian Booksellers Association, 1980)
- A. H. Spencer, The Hill of Content: Books, Art, Music, People (Sydney: Angus & Robertson, 1959).