Driff Field
Xavier Driffield | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1948 |
| Occupation(s) | Bookseller, author |
| Years active | 1980s–1990s |
| Known for | Driff's Guide |
Xavier Driffield (born 1948), also recognized by variations such as Driff Field, drif field, driffield, dryfeld, or simply Drif, was a prominent personality within the British antiquarian and secondhand book trade throughout the 1980s and 1990s. He authored multiple editions of the sharply critical Driff's Guide, which surveyed used and rare bookshops across the United Kingdom.
History
Initially working as a book hunter for private collectors, Driffield self-published his first guide in 1984 titled All The Secondhand and Antiquarian Bookshops in Britain (alternatively known as In Quest of the Perfect Book: The Antiquarian Bookshop Catalogue & Directory). The publication was distinctive for its often acerbic tone, containing remarks such as "the b[oo]ks are slowly transforming themselves back into rags" and "judging by body temp, shop seems to have expired in 1930".
This Guide popularized abbreviations including "ETGOW (easy to get on with)", "NSOC (not strong on condition)", "FARTS (follows around recommending the stock)", and "WYLAH (watches you like a hawk)". It also introduced terminology like "book fairy" to describe vendors at book fairs.
Driffield further launched a magazine titled Driffs: The Antiquarian & Second Hand Book Fortnightly, which released 22 issues before ceasing publication. Between 1984 and 1995, the Guide appeared in no fewer than five editions. In the third edition, he hinted at experiencing a mental health crisis following the second edition, though this claim was met with skepticism by some observers.
Sexual assault acquittal
Although photographic evidence existed, Driffield’s location remained largely unknown until 2014 when he faced trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court on allegations including rape and indecent assault. He was found not guilty of all accusations in November 2014.
During the trial, he was identified as Xavier Driffield; however, earlier references had used names such as "B.C.M. Driffield", "Colin Driffield", and "David Richard Ian Frederick Field". He stated that he grew up in Newbury, England. In 1991, his age was estimated to be in the forties.
In popular culture
The character Drif is depicted in Iain Sinclair's novel White Chappell, Scarlet Tracings. Additionally, he appeared in the 1992 Channel 4 documentary The Cardinal And The Corpse, alongside Alan Moore and Iain Sinclair.
See also
- Hay on Wye, noted for its high density of secondhand bookstores