Argosy Book Store

A small selection of Argosy’s Virginia Woolf first editions, which can be found on the shelves of the dedicated department on the 5th floor… merely 6 of the 28 we have in total!

Our offerings include Woolf’s novels, such as “Mrs. Dalloway” (1925) and “To the Lighthouse” (1927), as well as her essays; Notably, a signed first edition of “A Room of One’s Own” (1929), number 364 of 450 copies.

Which of Woolf’s numerous works is your personal favorite, if you had to choose? 📚

Argosy is proud to present the drawings and collages of renowned choreographer Annie-B Parson, October 26 - December 7.

Utilizing humble materials – ballpoint pen, pencil and stickers, Parson delves into the choreographic mind, charting the materiality of her work as “an equality in the perception of objects and movement, and the poetics of a kinetic grammar”. These drawings serve as both maps of her dances in the aftermath of performance, and a consideration of the elements of dance itself.

This is the fifth in a solo exhibition series of contemporary artists whose work resonates with and draws inspiration from maps and books.

Co-curated by Laura Ten Eyck and Ken Buhler.

It you climb up the short staircase at the very back of Argosy, you’ll find shelves of leather-bound poetry books, natural history, classics, books in French, and more. If you’re seeking company, Pinocchio is stationed at the ready. 🤥📚

Do you have a favorite browsing section here?

A few festive Halloween prints from the Argosy gallery (2nd floor)! 🎃 Which of these is your favorite? 🕷️🕸️🦉

1. “Pumpkin Effigy” (ca. 1860) by L.W. Atwater, $75
2. The New Yorker cover from October 31st, 1983 by Chas Addams, $150 (two available)
3. Woman carving pumpkin (ca. 1880) by Gustave Doré, $45
4. Owl hunting rats (ca. 1890) by Joseph Kronheim, $195
5. “Why do Bats Fly by Night?” (1909) by Edwin Noble, $195
6. Witch magazine advertisement (1896) by Henry Mayer, $175

“‘At six years old, I wanted to be a cook’ wrote Dalí who, at 68, fulfilled his childhood wish. This wish took the form of a book: Les dîners de Gala. Edited by Draeger, the work is developed around 12 chapters, the function of which Dalí himself established.”

Published in Paris in 1973, this is a fine copy of the first French-language edition. It contains 55 recipes fully illustrated in color, with both the striking artwork of Dali as well as photography. Item # 321562 on the Argosy website. 🧑‍🍳📚🇫🇷

Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel, ”Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus”, is one of the most widely known and beloved works of gothic fiction to this day, having been adapted and republished hundreds of times since its initial publication. Here we have a 1934 Limited Editions Club printing, with color illustrations by American artist Everett Henry. With burgundy leather-backed marbled boards, this fine collectable is one of only 1,500 numbered copies signed by the artist. Listed on the Argosy website under item # 323836.

Have you read this gripping tale of creator versus creation?

If you’re endeavoring to become a collector of Edgar Allan Poe, what better time to start than the eerie month of October? 🍂🐦‍⬛🪦
This lovely 17-volume set contains Poe’s entire body of work as well as a detailed biography, his letters, literary criticism, and essays. Published in New York by the Society of English and French Literature in 1902, this set is one of only 1,000 copies. Which of Poe’s works is your personal favorite? 📚

Listed on the Argosy website under “The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe”, item # 220287

A new addition to our shelves! This beautiful copy, rebound in tan leather over marbled boards, is the third edition of John Milton’s “Paradise Lost”. Printed in London in 1678 by S. Simmons and augmented by Milton, it is considered to be one of the greatest epic poems in the English language. 📚

Item # 323863 on the Argosy website.

All those tiny, intricate details! Published in 1567 (that’s over 456 years ago 😳) by Sebald Meyer, this is the first German edition of the Roman Catholic Catechism, first published the year before in Rome by Paulus Manutius. What’s the oldest book you’ve come across? 📚

Just in! The Cassell, Petter, and Galpin edition (circa 1880) of Dante’s Inferno, as well as Dante’s Purgatory and Paradise. Both were translated from the Italian by Reverend Henry Francis Cary, and contain beautiful full-page illustrations by Gustave Doré. Sold individually, respectively under item # 323651, and # 323652. 📚

On Saturday, September 14th, artist Ruth Marten’s exhibition “All About Eve” will have an opening reception from 3:00-5:00pm at the Argosy Book Store gallery, located on the second floor. We hope to see you there, and for the closing reception on October 19th as well! 🖼️

Did you catch last week’s story, “Suspected Burglar Caught After Sitting Down With Book”? 📖 Here’s an excerpt:

“A would-be burglar in Rome was caught after stopping to read a book on Greek mythology in the middle of a theft, Italian media reports.
The 38-year-old reportedly gained access to a flat in the Italian capital’s Prati district via the balcony but became distracted after picking up a book about Homer’s Iliad on a bedside table.
The 71-year-old homeowner is said to have awoken and confronted the alleged thief, who was engrossed in the book. He is said to have told police he had climbed the building to visit a person he knew.
‘I thought I had ended up in a B&B, saw the book and started to read it.’”

In case you’re looking for special reading material to accompany you on your next heist, we have a beautiful 4-volume set of Homer’s “The Iliad” published by Houghton Mifflin in 1905. Argosy item # 313578 📚

With the 2024 US Open underway, we thought it a good time to share a few special autographs that can be found here at Argosy. 🎾🏆

1. A signed photograph of Pam Shriver (1995). Throughout the 1980s and 90s, Shriver won 133 Women’s Tennis Association Tour-level titles. Item # 255

2. A letter (1976) typed and signed by tennis champion Renée Richards, who notably fought to compete in the ‘76 US Open as a transgender woman. Item # 291298

3. A signed photograph of Martina Navratilova (1990) holding a Wimbledon trophy, inscribed to Czech figure skater Aja Zanova. Item # 266440

If you’ve ever dreamt of owning your favorite author’s complete works, might we suggest a beautiful leather-bound set? 📚

Each of the individual volumes pictured above are the first of a larger set, some with as many volumes as 30. You can browse through these sample volumes in-store, or on our website (link in bio). If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out and we’ll be happy to assist! 📖

“The Library” by Andrew Lang… Could this be one of the most covetable additions to the book-collecting connoisseur’s library? 📚

• Beautifully bound by French bookbinder Thierry Petit-Simier, this limited second-edition is copy number 251 of 300, and contains a new preface by Lang as well as a chapter on modern English illustrated books by Austin Dobson. Handsomely illustrated with 3 color plates and 22 woodcuts.

• Imperial octavo bound in green crushed Levant morocco with ornamental borders and a center of gilt rose semée, doublures of crimson Levant with an ornamental framework, colorful silk brocade endpapers and gilt edges, protected in a marbled board slipcase. Published in London by Macmillan in 1892.

“The House, The Garden, and The Steeple: A Collection of Old Mottoes”, published in London by Arthur L. Humphreys, 1906. This beautiful little book is available for $50 - send us a message, or stop by and see us if you’d like to add it to your library! 📕

In love with these beautiful green and gold cloth bindings! They’re available via Instagram inquiry, by phone, or in-store for $90 each. All 3 are illustrated in black and white. 📗📒📚

1. “Wonders of Nature: As Seen and Described by Famous Writers”, edited and translated by Esther Singleton. Published in New York by Dodd, Mead & Co. in 1900.

2. ”Historic Buildings of America: As Seen and Described by Famous Writers”, collected and edited by Esther Singleton. New York: Dodd, Mead & Co., 1906.

3. “Turrets, Towers, and Temples: The Great Buildings of the World, as Seen and Described by Famous Writers”, edited and translated by Esther Singleton. New York: Dodd, Mead & Co., 1899.

On the shelves at Argosy! All of these lovely books can be found on our website (link in bio). Do you have a favorite?📚📖✨

“Report of the American Olympic Committee: Seventh Olympic Games, Antwerp, Belgium 1920” 🥇📖 Item # 287640

When the 1916 Summer Olympics were canceled as a result of World War I, Antwerp was chosen to host the 1920 Summer Olympics as a tribute to Belgium. The United States won 41 gold, 27 silver, and 27 bronze medals in the seventh Olympic Games.
This copy is a scarce first edition, which serves as a “souvenir of the pluck, perseverance and athletic prowess which won the world’s championship in sport for the American Olympic team in the seventh Olympic Games, 1920”.

Just in: 🇪🇸 “Spain” by the Baron Jean-Charles Davillier, with 346 beautiful illustrations by Gustave Doré. Published in London in 1876 by Marston, Low, & Searle, this is the first English edition.

This is the thorough account of Doré and Davillier’s journey through Spain, with detailed descriptions of their perception of the Spanish culture, cuisine, and architecture which they encountered on their travels. This lovely folio is listed under item # 322759 on the Argosy website. 📚

Some more 19th century decorative bindings, all in a row! Which color shelf are you picking out of the three for your personal library? 📚❤️💙💚

🫑📚Here we have a lovely first edition copy of “Phronsie Pepper: The Last of the Five Little Peppers” by American author Margaret Sidney, published in Boston in 1897 by the Lothrop Publishing Company.

This is the fourth book in a charming coming-of-age series which follows the lives and growth of five young siblings after their family is taken under the wing of a wealthy benefactor.

This copy is available for $150, listed under item # 260999 on the Argosy website. 📖

This past weekend, a few of our booksellers visited the wonderful exhibition, “Hardly Harmless Drudgery: Landmarks in English Lexicography”, and we couldn’t help but be inspired to share a few early dictionaries from Argosy’s own inventory:

1. “A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue” by Francis Grose, Second Edition, 1788. Item # 308560

2. “A Dictionary of the English Language” by Samuel Johnson, the corrected and revised 10th edition, 1810. Item # 311875

3. “Chamber’s Encyclopedia: A Dictionary of Universal Knowledge for the People”, 1883. Item # 302458

4. “Liber Radicum Sev Lexicon Ebraicum, in Quo Omnium Vocabulorum Bibliocorum…”, Johanne Avenario, 1589.

5. “An Historical, Genealogical, and Classical Dictionary“, 1743. Item # 290545

What a very nice surprise to receive a shoutout from the great American author Joy Williams in her interview from this last Monday, July 8th:

“Q: What books are on your night stand?

A: Walton Ford’s ‘Pancha Tantra.’ A stunning assemblage of the painter’s vivid and tragic work. Also, a tattered ‘Testament Newydd’ found years ago in a broken church in Wales, re-bound through the kindness of New York’s Argosy Book Store. I know only six words of Welsh but I love looking through it.”

We’re honored! 📚 If you haven’t yet encountered Williams’ notable works of fiction, we currently have a first edition copy of her 1982 collection of short stories, “Taking Care”.

Although we’ll be closed on the Fourth of July (as well as the fifth), you can still satisfy your patriotic urges on our website (link in bio). There, you can browse thousands of books, maps and prints relating to the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence, as well as a staggering assortment of general Americana. 🇺🇸🎆