Book token

A book token is a type of gift voucher redeemable in hundreds of participating bookshops as an alternative to cash.

History

1920s

The term "book token" was first coined in the 1920s by Harold Raymond, an English publisher who noticed that for Christmas his friends had received a collective total of only three books out of 119 total gifts.^[1] He felt that some sort of coupon could be used to take the risk out of book gift giving.

1930s

Book tokens were officially distributed in 1932. They were sold that November, just in time for the holidays.

1990s

Instead of stamps in the style of "lick and stick", book tokens were sold in voucher form to resemble British currency.

Current versions

UK

Book Tokens Ltd (part of the Booksellers Association Group of Companies) was established as the sole issuer of book tokens in the UK. They have now grown into one of the largest multi-retail gift cards in the UK and Ireland and were renamed "National Book Tokens" in 2000, the year the tokens were also sold online for the first time by firstbookshop.com. The seller of electronic book tokens promises the gift card will be able to be used at any time at all reputable book sellers with the exception of airports and some train stations. The cards do expire every two years but can be replaced for free. Gift givers can choose from different designs and receive promotions such as free books by Penguin when spending more than a certain amount.

Other countries

National book voucher schemes are also run in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway and Switzerland.

References