“Man Shines Shoes” is the 16th book published by Penkiln Burn. It was first released as paper back edition of 40 copies, specifically published for those having their shoes polished by Bill Drummond in Sherwood Forest on 3 October 2011.
A second hardcover edition of 1,000 copies got published in 2014,including an Italian translation by Verena Nala. The back cover states it was published in 2013 which would actually predate the 15th book, “Man Makes Bed“.
Back Cover Blurb
THIS BOOK IS ABOUT:
Polishing shoes, The Venice Biennale, Grand Central Station, brogues, Bill Drummond, not giving a fuck, caring too much, Chinese youth hostels in Italy, Poly Styrene, bondage, the smell of Chinese cooking, graffiti, German Sausage Dogs, all coppers being bastards and becoming a shoe-shine boy for the first time at the age of 58.
AND CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING WORDS:
In the Drummond household we all had our chores to be done before breakfast. My chore of choice, above making the beds, filling the log basket or coal scuttle, was always polishing the shoes, and they were polished every day. To me that was not a chore. I always loved polishing shoes, the whole ritual, the smell of the polish, and of course the final satisfying shine…
At the age of 58, I was to become a shoe-shine boy…
You see this is what is missing from the career of Lady Gaga. She has never gone through her shoe-shining girl period. And in turn this is exactly where I am going right by entering it as now. She will be so jealous…
After polishing the sixth pair of shoes there was a lull in business. I counted my takings – nine Euros. This felt like the first honest money I had earned since I was in my early 20s doing a proper job…
This book will not be available through the usual channels. But will be available directly from Bill Drummond when he is pyling his trade as a shoe shine boy.<span class="su-quote-cite">Bill Drummond</span>
Has anyone ever seen the paperback version?