Comments on: Selling Civilization

By: Selling Civilization « Enemies Of Promise

Selling Civilization « Enemies Of Promise — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:14:03 +0000

[...] Selling Civilization By rottenhat Antiquarian bookseller David Mason on the decline of the trade and it’s implications. [...]

By: Greggory Rapp

Greggory Rapp — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:56:17 +0000

As a collector of 25 years I find myself in agreement with much of your article. I too am friends with my local bookseller and presently spend more time being friends than being a client. For my local bookseller is one of the wisest and most educated people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.

I tip my hat to you, this wonderful article and the booksellers who despite the greatest of financial odds find themselves present and accounted.

By: Charles Vyvial

Charles Vyvial — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:29:09 +0000

Thanks David…I learned something today that I will keep with me for a long time.

By: Another old bookseller

Another old bookseller — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:02:16 +0000

Oh my. Wonderful. I echo the sentiments of Mr. Tapsell – it should have been longer.

By: Richard Sawyer

Richard Sawyer — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:35:00 +0000

David,
A superb article, erudite and perspicacious. Should be made required reading by all bibliophiles. As a third generation bookseller (occasionally seduced into other ventures) I concur with nearly all you views.
Thank you.
Richard Sawyer (Chas J.Sawyer)

By: Win Schaeffer

Win Schaeffer — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 10:04:47 +0000

One of the best things I’ve ever read on the philosophy of bookselling, with useful insights into collecting.

Thank you for writing it.

By: Bruce

Bruce — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 09:50:04 +0000

I was feeling down about the trade this morning – problems, always problems – and this cheered me up – yes much of it is bleak, much of it pessimistic – but in the end I love doing what I do and I’ll find ways to keep doing it and I’ll do my best to do it as well as I can.

Thanks.

By: Sean Montgomery

Sean Montgomery — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 03:15:40 +0000

A truly great article. As a collector and reader I do fear for the future. So many know so little and so few are educated in the arcane world of rare books. An issue though, I am one of those back door internet sellers that the author has issue with. I sell good books that are what they say they are. We are not all uneducated charlatans unknowingly deceiving the public.
There has always been an air of divine entitlement and gentle bragging on the part of many of the antiquarian dealers I have encountered. It’s a very well read clique, not unlike a clique in high school. The cool kids don’t want to play with anyone outside the circle. We ALL love rare books. Knowledge is everywhere, some of it quality,deep knowledge and some of it imperfect and improving. Perhaps the trade should be more afraid of not people giving up buying rare books but people tiring of buying rare books at a higher price just because someone has a title on their business card ( Abaa…)Perhaps it’s time to sell those morroco leather bounds not with the attitude of an old leather binding but with the attitude of a microchip. I say the rare book world needs to find a balance between the old knowledge and the new inevitability.

By: Stephen Tapsell

Stephen Tapsell — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:23:48 +0000

Should have been MORE rambling! I was sorry to reach the end — a terrific read!

By: Christopher Johnstone

Christopher Johnstone — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 08:25:43 +0000

Long and rambling perhaps but I like the optimism.