An interview with Antique Books Den
Biblio checks in with Antique Books Den to learn more about their book business, collecting interests and more! To view and shop their inventory, click here.
When did you get started in bookselling?
Over the years my interest in antique, used and rare books grew. I enjoyed finding and keeping older books so much that I decided to start an online store in 2010.
What drew you to bookselling?
Antique/ older books have character and history. Holding one in your hands and enjoying a good book can help you experience the joy of older books. A book over 100 years old should be cherished and well taken care of. Antique books are a part of history and provide knowledge from the past.
Did you have any mentors in becoming a bookseller?
What are your specialties as a dealer?
I have a wide variety of books. Antique books in a wide variety are my favorite. Odd books are a joy to find and there are always customers searching for them. Most of my books fall into history, fiction, famous authors, art and autobiographical/ biographical.
What's the most amazing book you've ever sold?
A set of 4 books that weighed 50 pounds each(200 pounds total). Quite large. Encyclopedias that were published mid 1800s. I shipped them to a buyer in the UK for $400 in shipping. The buyer was terribly happy when he got them. And I was glad to not have to move them around again. Another experience was sending and communicating with a person in California when I sold him a nice copy of Man of La Mancha. He worked on repairing the top of the Golden Gate Bridge and sent me photos from the top. It has also been very interesting selling all over the world.
What is your favorite part of being a bookseller?
Preserving books and selling them to customers that love them.
Do you have an open storefront or have you in the past?
No, online only. However, some old books tend to be very fragile. I am very particular in lightly cleaning them, keeping them in an area with the right humidity and selling good quality inventory.
What do you personally like to read? Collect?
