An interview with Sigedon LTD

Biblio checks in with Sigedon LTD 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?

I first started at 19 years at the family bookshop. Worked my way trough college by working at the same time. There was a lot of good times and bad times but during my first years I understood that this was the only job I wanted to ever have.

What drew you to bookselling?

I was born into the job. My father was a bookseller for over 35 years and now I'm just continuing the family tradition.

Did you have any mentors in becoming a bookseller?

Since my father was a bookseller I learned everything I could from him. After he passed I was self thought. Having a large reference library pays off indeed.

What's the most amazing book you've ever sold?

It wasn't technically my book but I was present. My father sold our summer house when I was about 14 or 15 and used money to buy a grand total of 5 books. I couldn't wrap my mind around what happened. A few years later, he sold the books for about 10 times the price of the summer house. That was also the moment I realized that I started thinking seriously about my future in the booktrade.

What is your favorite part of being a bookseller?

The people. I am fascinated by what I can learn from the people involved in this world. Booksellers are not the friendliest lot (when you don't know them) but the buyers are another story. I got to meet very interesting people. I met electricians with a passion for astronomical books, restaurant owners that buy books to donate to monasteries and hedge fund managers interested in poetry. There is absolutely no rule when it comes to who is a collector.

Do you have an open storefront or have you in the past?

I had two bookstores opened at different locations. After the economic crisis in 2008 we had to close down because of the expensive rent.

If so, do/did you have any bookstore pets?

We currently have a cat named Fifi. It diligently sniffs all newly acquired books on a regular basis.

What is your favorite bookshop (other than your own)?

I once visited this peculiar bookstore in Moscow. I believe that the net worth of a shelf of books was worth a few million dollars. Everything I touched or laid eyes on was so rare and expensive. It is also the first time I saw (what I think were) armed security officers in a bookstore.

What do you personally like to read? Collect?

First editions (or translations) of philosophical works are my passion. I don't actively collect but I do set aside something for myself from time to time.

What's your favorite book you personally own? Would you sell it, if the price were right?

Signed books by a contemporary hero of my people. Because of privacy reasons I won't divulge the identity of the author.