Lots of people know about Lemuria’s stellar reputation for carrying First Editions and signed books but what some may not realize is that we also have some rare collectibles. If you’re a book collector or a collector of collectibles who likes to collect, you should definitely check out our First Editions room and our Fine First Editions room. Customers are always welcome to browse (AND BUY!) from these special collections. Don’t be intimidated by the fact that both rooms double as offices… just come on in and shop!

It helps to know what you’re getting into before you take on Lemuria’s First Editions Rooms. Our primary First Editions Room consists of both signed and unsigned books including First Editions, Advanced Readers Copies, Uncorrected Proofs and Limited Editions. The books in the First Editions Room start at the retail price and go up to $100-$200, whereas the books in the Fine First Editions Room begin at $100-$200 and higher.

Over the years John has accrued a wide variety of super cool things… everything from signed baseballs, books and posters to signed Bibles. There are lots of cheesy quips I could make about the “signed Bible” but I figure I’ll just explain that in 1999 Barry Moser published the only 20th century edition of the King James Bible that is illustrated by just one artist. Moser’s Holy Bible has an original illustration for every book of the Old and New Testaments. The limited edition of the book is two hand-bound volumes. Each volume is laid into its own linen covered tray case and the bindings are full limp vellum (animal hide) with titles stamped in 24-karat gold on the cover and spine. Only 400 copies of the limited edition were printed and they currently sell for $12,500 a piece… yes, you read that correctly, $12,500! According to Moser, the paper for each book of the Bible is made up of one goat… so you can understand why the limited edition is worth this much.

However, if the limited edition is out of your price range you may want to check out the facsimile of the book, also published in 1999 by Viking Press. Viking’s edition is much more affordable at $175 but needless to say, is not quite as rare. You can find a copy of Viking’s edition of The Holy Bible in the ART CASE…

The Art Case is one of the most neglected treasures in Lemuria. It provides a home for rare and out of print art books as well as oversized books that don’t fit on other shelves and may otherwise be overlooked on displays around the store.

Some other cool books you might find if you browse through the art case include:

Le Corbusier’s Sketchbooks in volumes three and four which are both out of print

Venice: The Grand Canal, by Daniele Resini, a photography book that is made up of one continual page that extends from the book’s case and exhibits each side of the canal in its entirety, one side on the front page and the other side of the canal on the back page.

Later Chinese Painting and Calligraphy: 1800-1950 by Robert Hatfield Ellsworth

If you’re a book collector or a collector of collectibles who likes to collect, you should definitely check out our First Editions Room, Fine First Editions Room and our beautiful selection of books in the art section and particularly, in the Art Case.

Share