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Printed Page Bookshop

Named one of the top three best bookstores in Denver

The hunting season that never ends

February 29, 2016 By Dan Danbom

Lots of people have lots of different reasons for visiting Printed Page Bookshop — or any other used or antiquarian bookstore, for that matter. Some are just looking for a copy of a book they want to read.  Others seek the thrill that comes with finding something they never thought they’d find, or finding something valuable for a fraction of its worth.  Truth be known, if you twisted booksellers’ arms, they’d tell you that the the most fun they have in the bookselling business is not the selling of books, but rather the excitement of the hunt in finding them.

And, like the fisherman who’s landed a lunker or the hunter who’s bagged a 10-point deer, booksellers like to brag about their triumphs.  There’s quite a bit of that in a fun new book by Rebecca Rego Barry, “Rare Books Uncovered: True Stories of Fantastic Fiends in Unlikely Places.” Barry is the editor of Fine Books and Collections magazine.

She occasionally cites the words of a character from Larry McMurtry’s novel, “Cadillac Jack,” that “anything is anywhere.”  Fantastic books can be found in the usual places — book stores, library sales, flea-markets — but they are also found in dumpsters, basements, online and in dear-departed Uncle Walter’s closet.

We asked Rebecca about how much of book-collecting is fueled by the adrenaline rush of finding something special.  She said,

“I suspect that getting a bargain of any kind gives you a zing, but I wonder if, in books, it’s more of a smoldering feeling.  Because you see the volume — at an estate sale or a thrift shop or wherever — and you pause, you consider, you wonder if it’s really the book you think it is.  Then, if you splurge on it, you take it home for a closer look.  Only then do you know if you have what you think you have!  So many of those I interviewed for my book told me it was having that happen just once in a while that kept them in the game.”

As with fishing or hunting, luck alone isn’t enough.  Success  hunting books also means knowing a little more than the next guy — and Barry’s book (and our experience) bears this out.  Knowing how to identify a first edition, knowing that the books of an obscure author (like our new favorite, Jim Tully) are highly collectible, thoroughly knowing your own specialty — those are the things that lead to great finds and great stories.  One bookseller we know referred to bookscouting as “urban fishing.”  As with fishing, you need BOTH luck and skill.

We’d love to hear your story of a great book find.  And we’re happy to tell you ours!

Share your story on our Facebook page

This post is from our February 2016 Newsletter. Find full copies of all Printed Page Bookshop newsletters here.)

Filed Under: Book-collecting

Location & Hours

1416 S Broadway
Denver, Colorado 80210

As of July 1, 2020, our hours are:
Tuesday-Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm
and by appointment
We will be wearing facemasks and ask that all visitors do the same.
We look forward to seeing you soon!

Custom Directions

Contact

303-777-7653
theshop@printedpagebookshop.com

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Printed Page Bookshop
Reviewed from Google

4.8 out of 5 stars

Lindsay Atkinson
Lindsay Atkinson

5 out of 5 stars

posted 1 day ago

This is not your typical old, musty-smelling used bookstore full of junk paperbacks. Printed Page is cozy and always staffed with the booksellers themselves - knowledgeable, friendly folks. They are glad to let you browse on your own, suggest your next read or help you find a treasured antique.

Meg Sippel
Meg Sippel

5 out of 5 stars

posted 1 week ago

I met Dan to have him look at an old medical atlas we have. It was not in good enough condition for him to consider having in his store, but he was super nice and gave me ideas for how to get it into the hands of others who may want it. Dan was very honest and kind and I really enjoyed talking with him. Thanks, Dan!

CaffeinatedPrincess
CaffeinatedPrincess

5 out of 5 stars

posted 2 months ago

A beautiful store with so many different books to chose from. They have everything from classic literature to cook books!! Very pleasant environment too with amazingly kind staff. Highly recommend checking this place out!!

Read All 128 Reviews
Printed Page Bookshop 5.0 star rating 26 reviews Yelp logo

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