3 ms·
Similar story, different outcome: long ago I went into a used bookstore housed in an old firestation (now a theatre). It had many books shelved on its first flo
by 8bitsrule 6y ago
Similar story, different outcome: long ago I went into a used bookstore housed in an old firestation (now a theatre). It had many books shelved on its first floor, but the second floor was an acre of heaps.
Its owner was a grey-haired and bearded, gruffish old-school book dealer. I was looking for an obscure French novel which was (I did not know) unlikely to be found anywhere, then or now.
After quickly trying my luck and utterly failing, I asked about it by author and title. Melvin looked down, shuffled a bit, then said he'd have a look. Upstairs around the firepole he trudged. Five minutes of bumping, ten minutes of shuffling, and down the stairs he came holding it. "It's a little dusty," he offered.
I'd pay a sizeable sum to be able to relive that moment.
- moonchild 6y agoWhat book?
- wazoox 6y agoI had the same experience about 30 years ago. A very old man (more than 80) had a used book store with 5 meters high shelves and stacks and piles and heaps everywhere. I came in and asked "do you have the works of Antiphon, by any chance? The bilingual version?" "He think for a moment, "ah, do you mean the 1923 translation? I must have it somewhere up there..." And he went up a ladder, rummaged on some shelves, and came back with the old, uncut book, in the battered original edition. I've bought many, many books there for a while, particularly the rare (and expensive when new) "Guillaume Budé" books in their original, paper-cover, uncut editions (https://www.lesbelleslettres.com/les-budes https://www.lesbelleslettres.com/les-budes). Some very sad day, the guy died and the magic store closed forever.
- TheOtherHobbes 6y agoMy favourite dusty bookstore story is the "$15 shipping" on this. https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=30190277578 https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=3019027757...