LISTSERV 16.5 - ARLIS-L Archives

Although I realize you are talking about large corporate book vendors for the most part, I hope you'll remember that rather small but diligent number of us professional bookseller ARLIS members who are specialists in rare and out-of-print art books and who have been long time-members and supporters of ARLIS.

    The benefit in contacting one of us is manifold - the personal contact, efficient and prompt service, more economical shipping, and expertise. Instead of turning to Amazon for the odd out-of-print book as suggested in one of the responses, try us. You'll get more than a clerk's unknowledgeable response. We also occasionally have new books in stock and can supply them more quickly, and are accustomed to billing institutions if you prefer not to wait for approval in setting up an account elsewhere.

    We bookseller members have long supported ARLIS activities and contributed to the success of the annual conventions through our exhibitions, support of gala parties (Ars Libri) and closing exhibit receptions, and travel grants (Karno and others).

    We have been around a lot longer than Amazon and ABE have always been loyal to our library ARLIS colleagues, so we do indeed expect some consideration and reciprocation when it involves the more elusive material which you'll despair of finding on Amazon.

"You need at least one general vendor (such as Blackwell or B&T), at least one specialized vendor (such as Worldwide Art Books), and at least one foreign vendor (such as Erasmus). Having a local bookstore for urgent purchases is very helpful."

    How about at least one (or more) rare book specialists who are fellow ARLIS members?

    Raymond Smith
    R.W. Smith Bookseller
    New Haven