Tasmanian bookshop Fullers celebrates 100 years

As an iconic Tasmanian bookshop celebrates 100 years we reveal some of the secrets that hid in the store’s cellar for decades.

WITH a cellar full of censored novels and “gentleman’s literature”, Hobart book merchant W.E. Fuller was sometimes known around town as “Pornographic Bill”.

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In fact, the legendary Fullers Bookshop pioneer – with a secret stash of banned books by the likes of Henry Miller, D.H. Lawrence and Charles Bukowski – was once raided by Hobart’s Vice Squad – a police unit dedicated to immorality.

Fullers owner Clive Tilsley (centre) with Margaret Coxall (left) and Jenny Smith, granddaughters of Bill Fuller who opened the first Fullers bookstore 100 years ago. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Sunday marked a momentous occasion for Fullers, which is Australia’s oldest independent bookshop, by turning 100 years old.

Although Bill died in 1960, the milestone was celebrated in his honour with his grandchildren from across Australia flying to Hobart for the occasion.

Fullers bookstore owner Clive Tilsley (right) hands out cake to celebrate the shop's 100 year anniversary. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Granddaughter Margaret Coxall giggled as she explained her grandfather’s moniker, adding some of the books he brought into Tasmania were banned by customs.

Current owner Clive Tilsley, who bought the store in 1982, noted Bill Fuller kept his cellar collection in an era when the state library specifically employed staff to censor its collection.