Is it CMS Bookshop or CSS Bookshop – What is the Oldest Bookshop in Nigeria and the Whole World ?

South Africa:

1. Clarke’s Bookshop – Cape Town
   • Established in 1956, Clarke’s Bookshop is one of the oldest and most iconic bookstores in South Africa. Located on Long Street in Cape Town, it specializes in Africana, rare books, and South African literature. It has been a key part of the country’s literary scene for decades, serving as a hub for local authors and book lovers.
2. Van Schaik Bookstore – Pretoria
   • Founded in 1914, Van Schaik Bookstore is one of South Africa’s oldest book retailers, with branches across the country. It began as a small shop catering to the academic community and has grown to become a significant player in the educational book market.

Egypt:

1. Diwan Bookstore – Cairo
   • Established in 2002, Diwan may not be as old as other bookstores on this list, but it quickly became a cultural landmark in Egypt. It offers a wide range of books in both Arabic and English, and it has been instrumental in promoting a reading culture in modern Egypt.

Nigeria:

1. CSS Bookshop – Lagos
   • Founded in 1869, CSS Bookshop is one of the oldest bookstores in Nigeria and possibly in West Africa. Located in Marina, Lagos, it started as a Christian bookshop and has expanded over the years to include a variety of literature and educational materials. It has played a crucial role in the intellectual development of the country.

Kenya:

1. Prestige Bookshop – Nairobi
   • Founded in 1978, Prestige Bookshop is one of Nairobi’s oldest and most respected bookstores. It has been a vital part of Kenya’s literary culture, offering a diverse range of books and hosting various literary events.

Ghana:

1. Kingdom Books and Stationery – Accra
   • Established in the early 1990s, Kingdom Books and Stationery is one of Ghana’s leading bookstores, with multiple branches across the country. It offers a wide selection of books, from academic texts to general literature, and has become a go-to destination for book lovers in Ghana.

Some of the oldest bookshops in the world have rich histories that span centuries. Here are a few of the most notable:

1. Bertrand Bookstore (Livraria Bertrand) – Lisbon, Portugal
   Established in 1732, Bertrand Bookstore holds the Guinness World Record for being the oldest operating bookstore in the world. Located in Lisbon, Portugal, this bookshop has been a hub for literary minds for nearly 300 years. Despite experiencing an earthquake in 1755 that forced it to move locations, it has remained a significant cultural landmark in Lisbon.
2. Hatchards – London, UK
   Founded in 1797, Hatchards is the oldest bookshop in London. Located on Piccadilly, it has been a favorite of literary figures and royalty alike. The bookshop has a reputation for its collection of rare and fine books, as well as for its association with British high society.
3. Galignani – Paris, France
   Galignani, established in 1801, is considered one of the oldest English-language bookstores on the European continent. Located on Rue de Rivoli in Paris, it has served the expatriate and literary communities for centuries. The shop is renowned for its extensive collection of English and French books, catering to a diverse clientele.
4. Leiden Bookstore (Boekhandel Van Stockum) – Leiden, Netherlands
   Founded in 1833, this bookshop has been a cornerstone of the academic community in Leiden, home to one of the oldest universities in the Netherlands. The bookstore has catered to scholars and students for nearly two centuries, offering a wide range of academic texts and rare books.
5. John Smith & Son – Glasgow, Scotland
   Established in 1751, John Smith & Son is the oldest bookselling company in the English-speaking world. Originally started in Glasgow, it served the University of Glasgow community and has since expanded to serve academic institutions across the UK.

In the United States, some of the oldest bookshops have a rich history and have played a significant role in the country’s literary culture. Here are a few of the most notable:

1. Moravian Book Shop – Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
   Established in 1745, the Moravian Book Shop is the oldest continuously operating bookstore in the United States. Located in the historic district of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, it was founded by the Moravian Church and originally sold religious texts. Over the years, it has expanded its offerings to include a wide range of books, gifts, and local products. The shop is also known for its connection to the Moravian community and its role in the town’s cultural life.
2. Benjamin Franklin’s Printing Office – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
   While not a traditional bookshop, Benjamin Franklin’s Printing Office, established in 1728, played a crucial role in early American publishing and book distribution. Franklin’s press was instrumental in printing books, pamphlets, and newspapers that shaped public opinion during the colonial era. The site, now a museum, offers a glimpse into the early history of printing in America.
3. The Old Corner Bookstore – Boston, Massachusetts
   Established in 1718 as an apothecary, the building that housed the Old Corner Bookstore became a bookstore and publisher’s shop in the early 19th century. Located in downtown Boston, it became a gathering place for famous American authors like Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Though it no longer operates as a bookstore, it is a significant historical site.
4. Porter Square Books – Cambridge, Massachusetts
   While not as old as others on this list, Porter Square Books, founded in 1874, has a long history in the Boston area. The store has a strong connection to the local community and is known for its extensive selection of books and author events. It represents the tradition of independent bookstores in America.
5. The Grolier Poetry Book Shop – Cambridge, Massachusetts
   Founded in 1927, The Grolier Poetry Book Shop is the oldest continuous all-poetry bookstore in the United States. Located near Harvard University, it has been a hub for poets and poetry lovers for nearly a century. The shop has hosted readings by some of the most famous poets of the 20th century, including T.S. Eliot and Robert Lowell.

China:

1. Xinhua Bookstore – Beijing
   • Founded in the 1930s, Xinhua Bookstore is one of the oldest and most widespread bookshop chains in China. It was established by the Communist Party of China to promote literacy and distribute books to the masses. Xinhua bookstores are still widely recognized across the country today.
2. Shanghai Foreign Languages Bookstore – Shanghai
   • Established in 1952, this bookshop specializes in foreign language books and is a key cultural institution in Shanghai. It has a rich history as a hub for intellectuals and students seeking literature and educational materials in various languages.

India:

1. Higginbotham’s – Chennai
   • Founded in 1844 by Abel Joshua Higginbotham, this is the oldest bookstore in India and one of the oldest in the world. Located on Mount Road (Anna Salai) in Chennai, Higginbotham’s has been a cornerstone of the city’s literary culture for over 175 years.
2. Bahrisons Booksellers – Delhi
   • Established in 1953 by Balraj Bahri, Bahrisons is one of Delhi’s oldest and most beloved bookstores. Located in Khan Market, it has been a favorite among readers for decades, offering a wide range of books and hosting literary events.

Russia:

1. Dom Knigi (House of Books) – St. Petersburg
   • Also known as the Singer House, this iconic bookstore was founded in 1919. Located on Nevsky Prospekt, it is housed in a historic Art Nouveau building. Dom Knigi is one of Russia’s most famous bookshops and has a vast collection of Russian and international literature.
2. Moskva Book House – Moscow
   • Established in 1958, the Moskva Book House is one of the largest and oldest bookstores in Russia. Located on Novy Arbat Avenue, it is a key cultural landmark in Moscow, offering an extensive range of books in various genres.

These bookstores are not only retail spaces but also cultural institutions that have played significant roles in the literary and intellectual history of their respective countries.