Atlanta Vintage Books: A Literary Garden

For many years, I had the goal of building my own personal library of hardcover books.  The sole requirement was simple -- these would be books that I have either read before or, upon acquisition, would commit to reading.  

So, circa 2008, with the purchase of an IKEA bookcase -- I began actively collecting hardcover books with the aforementioned requirements.  My collection has since evolved beyond the confines of the bookcase in my study -- to stacks of books on every endtable in my home, the repurposing of the phone nook in my ca. 1955 ranch to that of a bookshelf, and plans of incorporating built-in bookcases as I continue to renovate. 

I stumbled upon Atlanta Vintage Books after having passed it on Clairmont Road many times and deciding on a whim just to drop by and take a look. 

Bob and Jan, the owners, are great.  And not just a friendly way -- they will actually engage you in conversation and they know their product.  They love books.  

Previously long time residents of Virginia-Highland -- they, for many years, had lovingly maintained a garden in the home they had renovated there in the 1980s.  They recently moved to a condo, so that they could spend more time at the bookstore -- and, in a sense, now maintain a much more vast garden.  This one consisting of over 75,000 books. 

In my many conversations with Bob and Jan, not only do we talk about the authors -- but I have learned about literary collections like The Modern Library and The Harvard Classics, that were published in the early 20th century to make the equivalent of a college education accessible to the average person.  I have learned that each and every title in their inventory was thoughtfully selected.  The common thread is that everything in their store is literary.  

Other popular items that they stock include original interior design and architectural books from the mid 20th century, an extensive Hardy Boys hardback collection, and pretty much any literary author that one can fathom (the works of the Beat Generation are especially popular as of late). 

It's the best of both worlds, if you will, between a used bookstore and a vintage bookstore -- essentially, it is a vintage bookstore with used bookstore prices.   And the vast majority of their collection are editions from the early to mid 20th century -- I purchased the copy of Crime and Punishment pictured in this article for a mere $12 (plus, I opted for the $2 protective jacket cover -- as the jacket itself was a work of art worthy of preservation).  Downstairs are the paperbacks -- where I recently purchased a nicely aged, slightly yellowed edition of Moby Dick for a mere $2. 

And these are reading copies.  Meaning, they go well with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine -- not to mention look great on your bookshelf. 

So, in short, Bob and Jan are just really cool, interesting people who bring a great resource not only to our neighborhood, but to all of Atlanta.  So, if you have not already, be sure to drop by and say hi.

As for me, I'll be back soon -- as I have my eye on a nicely preserved, olive-green three-volume set of Eugene O'Neill plays. 

Website:  

http://www.atlantavintagebooks.com/

Facebook:  

Atlanta Vintage Books - Facebook

Address and Contact Info:

3660 Clairmont Road  (between Buford Hwy and Peachtree Rd)

Atlanta, GA 30341

(770) 457-2919

Map:

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Hours: 

Monday through Saturday - 10AM - 7PM

Sunday - 12PM - 5PM