Jiang Xun, the founder of Model Books, died unexpectedly

Jiang Xun, founder, poet, book binding designer and engraving collector of Model Books, died unexpectedly in Beijing on January 16, 2022, at the age of 51. His wife Xing Na revealed that in view of the epidemic, Jiang Xun's future affairs are simple, and an online memorial service will be held in the future.

Committed to creating the most beautiful reading space in Beijing

Jiang Xun graduated from the Central Academy of Fine Arts and has held dozens of large-scale art exhibitions in Beijing, Shanghai and other places over the years. In recent years, he has focused on book cover design, and his works have been selected for domestic book fairs many times, and have won many awards such as "The First China Publishing Government Binding Design Award" and "China's Most Beautiful Book".

In 2014, Jiang Xun founded the Model Bookstore Yangmeizhu Xiejie Street Store, committed to creating the most beautiful reading space in Beijing. In 2017, the Model Bookstore Tianqiao Art Center store opened (it has been closed due to the epidemic). In 2018, the Model Bookstore Financial Street Art Center store opened (it has been closed due to the epidemic). In 2019, the Model Bookstore Poetry Space Store opened, becoming the first church bookstore in China. In 2021, Model Bookstore Source Bookstore and Model Bookstore Friendship Bookstore will open one after another.

Located on Tong Linge Road in Beijing's Xicheng District, the "Model Bookstore + Poetry Space" is opened in an old church with a history of 113 years. The bookstore also has two ancient letterpress printing machines, which allow readers to feel the printing process in addition to reading; there is a cultural and creative products area on the left side, and the installation of ancient movable type printing on the right side - the movable type is "mold" and the container is "fan", which is the origin of the name "Model Bookstore". This bookstore has twice won the title of "the most beautiful bookstore" and has become a mutual punching place between netizens.

An accident occurred while moving books in the warehouse

"He died unexpectedly while moving books in the warehouse." Xing Na told the Beijing Youth Daily reporter on the 18th. Xing Na introduced that all the warehouses of the Model Bookstore were in Tongzhou, and on the 16th, Jiang Xun went out to the warehouse in Tongzhou at 8 o'clock in the morning to sort out books with two porters, and unfortunately there was an accident.

"Jiang Xun has put a lot of effort into these 6 stores." Xing Na revealed that during the epidemic for two years, they saved all 6 stores. Last year, in order to maintain the normal operation of the bookstore, they sold a house of more than 200 square meters in Guozijian and are now renting a house. Despite this, funding remains the biggest problem that plagues model bookstores, which try to increase revenue by selling books live. At the same time, Xing Na stressed, "I will do my best to keep these bookstores running, although it may be difficult for me." Because Jiang Xun once said, 'If I'm gone one day, I hope the model brand will always be there.' ’”

I wanted to accompany the bookstore for longer

Unfortunately, it did not materialize

In addition to book binding design and bookstore opening, Jiang Xun also likes to collect and appreciate ancient book engravings, especially the research on ancient engraving collections, and is the collector with the largest collection of ancient engravings in China. In 2009, he cooperated with the National Library to establish the Wenjin Sculpture Museum, which is open to the public free of charge all year round. Xing Na said she hopes to donate the ancient carvings in the Wenjin Sculpture Museum to the state so that it can continue, and then donate or sell the museum to subsidize the bookstore.

After learning the news of Jiang Xun's unexpected death, the publisher Cheng Sanguo bluntly said that he was "too shocked." He wrote on Weibo, "Model Bookstore has gained particularly good momentum in recent years, and he is one of the few bookstore people who start from art and do business very decently, which is particularly rare in the current bookstore situation." The last concert at the church bookstore was still unfinished, and I asked him to talk about printmaking, to see his collection of line-bound books and engravings, and did not want him to leave like this. Pray that he will bless the 'Model Bookstore' in book heaven all the way. In the article remembering Jiang Xun, Xing Na wrote, "Jiang Xun once wanted to accompany this bookstore for 40-50 years, but it is obvious that the day is not what people want, so he entered the paradise of books." ”

Article/Reporter Zhang Enjie Intern Li Tong