A farewell celebration for retiring U of T Bookstore bookseller Nick Pashley was a big draw on Thursday night – 60-odd people attended, including a who’s who of indie booksellers and a healthy sampling of publishing types.

The party was held at a North Toronto pub and organized by Peter and Diane Waldock of North 49 Books and Kate Walker & Company’s Saffron Beckwith. Pashley received an honorary Libris award, and Peter Waldock broke out his impression of the Queen (see picture, above). Ben McNally, about to open his own bookstore, delivered a speech, as did David Stimpson, who first hired Pashley at the U of T Bookstore. Pashley himself, who will leave the store at the end of this month after 27 years, spoke to the assembled partygoers.

Booksellers on the scene included Richard Bachmann; Bryan Prince; Frans Donker and son Ian; Charlie Huisken; Al Navis; Chuck Erion and Tricia Siemens; Paul McNally and daughter Sarah; John Snyder; and Samantha Holmes. Also on hand were Carey Low and Nick Smith from Canadian Manda Group; Random House’s Louise Dennys; M&S’s Doug Gibson; Kids Can Press’s Judy Brunsek; PGC’s Graham Fidler; HarperCollins Canada’s Lloyd Kelly; and many more.

To view photos from the event, click here.