Time passes quickly when browsing in a bookstore. Whether glancing across a row of book jackets, paging through to scan photographs or even skimming chapters while seated on the floor with your back against the shelves, it's easy to become immersed in this pleasant respite from the day's demands. The experience is accentuated even more when the shelves contain rare books, out-of-print anthologies, collectible first editions and author-owned copies. Such books are virtual treasure troves, allowing the curious browser to touch and experience a piece of history in book form.
Baltimore, Maryland's Kelmscott Bookshop
The Kelmscott Bookshop in Baltimore, Maryland, specializes in rare artists' books, books about William Morris and the Pre-Raphaelites, books printed by private presses and works of fine nineteenth-century literature. The Kelmscott Bookshop was started in 1977 by Terry and Don Johanson and now houses more than 30,000 books. The shop takes its name from the Kelmscott Press, a printing firm founded in 1891 by William Morris.
Rare book dealers, like The Kelmscott Bookshop, can serve as sources of inspiration when pursuing information on topics for personal pleasure or professional business. The Kelmscott Bookshop manager Susannah Horrom offers a look at some of the shop's extensive collection.
Kelmscott Press, Pre-Raphaelite Works of Literature
Susannah begins by sharing "Utopia" by Sir Thomas More, an English lawyer and philosopher whose refusal to accept the doctrines of King Henry VIII led to his eventual execution. This Kelmscott Press printing of "Utopia" dates from 1893 and features its original vellum binding (only eight copies of the book were produced on vellum). The text of this work was derived from the first and second English editions that were originally translated from Latin.
Another unique item in Kelmscott's collection is a first edition of "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" by Arthur Conan Doyle. Published in 1892, this fascinating collection of short stories of the famed detective secured Doyle's enduring literary fame.
A Pre-Raphaelite work -- officially titled "The Germ: Thoughts Toward Nature in Poetry, Literature and Art" -- was published in 1898 by Thomas B. Mosher. It is special not only because it is rare (there were only 25 copies) but also because of its rich history: It is the first American reprint of a short-lived publication by the Pre-Raphaelite founders who made significant contributions to art of the Victorian era. The book also contains reproductions of etchings originally created by Holman Hunt, Ford Madox Brown, James Collinson and W.H. Deverell.
SPECIAL THANKS
Susannah Horrom
Manager
The Kelmscott Bookshop
34 West 25th Street
Baltimore, MD 21218
410-235-6810
Michael Vyskocil - Michael Vyskocil has been a feature writer for Recipes on Suite101.com since 2006. He currently serves as the Topic Editor for Recipes.
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