Two special books

The Toll-houses of Suffolk by Patrick Taylor, Polystar Press, 277 Cavendish Street, Ipswich, IP3 8BQ

This well produced 84pp book includes photographs of and comments on all the known toll-houses and a number of 'impostors', i.e. houses which look 'right' but are in the wrong places! The turnpike road system, upkeep of roads and collecting of tolls are all interestingly explained with reproductions of original documents and posters. NS

The Ipswich Mint Vol 1 (ca 973-ca 1016) by J C Sadler, a limited edition of 500 copies (l50pp) is available from the author at Lockdales, 37 Upper Orwell Street, Ipswich. Ipswich had a workshop called a mint which produced silver coins in the name of kings, in the name of the man who produced them and in the name of the town. Hundreds have survived and the author claims to have traced every specimen. The book also contains suggestions for the location of the castle and an interesting take on the origins of the name, Ipswich. JN