Oversion

LETTERS BOOK SHOP

A little preview of things in store, an amazing journey to LETTERS BOOKSHOP today.

With Nicky’s displaying of all sorts of amazing works,
books and art and artifacts, d.a. levy story and charles henri ford,
the original james caldwell

Apollinaire on into the nitty gritty of ultra rarity.
The book shop is on the move to as an as yet un determined town village city or countryside.

My emphasis in photographing leans heavily toward the
vision of the store and him and his incredible world in there,
and also, things I really want to be able to read that page
of whichever book or article or book information page.
About a third done giving them all names and
cropping gamma etc to get the print visible,
planning about 6 different wordpress projects from it all!

…and it’s profoundly wonderful this is this the
optional three day weekend weekend the august
long weekend, Simcoe Day, (wonder what Simcoe said
if someone pulled a John A Mcdonald on the Louis Riel man,
nothing good came of that – Nicky has, incredibly,
John A MacDonald’s – that John A! – with official seal
and everything, of the first ever copy released in Canada of
On Liberty

my mind is actually billowing with all the background information shared with us (I figure I remember 37% of what I hear in that regard, added to the photos of books such as the one with the first ever use of the word surrealism) Nicky’s unique bookbinder’s/bookhandler’s hands holding many of the books open

Somewhere, and looking everywhere if mainly in our country
mr thunder bay draped in the flag that he is, algonquin
park property one fascinating one, all sorts of possible places. Presently, much in storage, and yet still so much in the store

11 Comments »

  1. Best wishes to Nicky. The shelves are beautiful, solid. Packing will be a headache, but it gives us the chance to see this “preview”.

    Comment by czandra — August 2, 2010 @ 10:19 pm

  2. Thanks czandra, tonight Part II went up, getting deeper…

    LETTERS BOOKSHOP 2: SISTINE CHAPEL OF SMALL PRESS

    It’s fun how Nicky enthusiastically displayed it all,
    amazing hands eh? The effort and insight going into it all.

    Makes most of us seem like “in one ear out the other types”
    Love the camera for that. And dislike John A Macdonald. Too much
    using the traintracks to ram it through the native and metis worlds
    to the effect of devastation since. Bring back Louis Riel. Down
    with John A.

    Next sitting, a few particular items/stories focused upon.

    Again: https://oversion.wordpress.com/letters-bookshop-2-sistine-chapel-of-small-press/

    Comment by oversion — August 3, 2010 @ 5:07 am

    • Just reading this morning (I our mutually hated MacLean’s Mag) about McGill University offering $20,000 Cdn for the 500 dead sea scrolls, then not receiving them because they’ve been seized, first by Jordan, then by Israel.

      Yes, Nicky’s hands are amazing, I noticed that picture too, and I noticed his hands and forearms when I met him after the bp chapbook awards in TO. First indicator of a person, hands. Won’t ever forget that meeting.

      Comment by czandra — August 5, 2010 @ 12:35 pm

  3. I remember distinctly when Letters Bookshop opened and how excited we were, still in Toronto but leaving soon. It was unique, unlike any other shop. Not just any old book on THEIR shelves. The book scene in Toronto was really beginning to take off when they opened. I remember the way the shelves looked, crammed with (very rare experience for me) books I wanted nearly every one of! I can still see the light in the shop, the way the shelves bent at the corner, the joy at having all of these volumes together for the first time! It is hard enough just to get classics together coupled with authors you love (which of course is the main joy of bookselling – to assemble your OWN set of how the world’s writers should look and which should be consigned to the basement or banished to a fifty cent sale table! – (Sob here for ‘This Ain’t,’ which SHOULD’VE survived too). Really enjoyed all your posts about Letters and the great pics.

    Comment by Rose DeShaw — August 4, 2010 @ 9:54 am

  4. Hi Nicky
    Thank you for condolences…hard to accept
    Much success on your new location
    Love to see you…leaving tomorrow
    Cannot find a phone #???
    Xo

    Comment by Debi Maude — August 9, 2014 @ 12:29 pm

  5. Hello, I’m looking for the address for Letter Bookshop-in Thunder Bay. Is like to come and take a look. Thanks for your time.

    Comment by Tamara — January 24, 2016 @ 4:22 pm

  6. What is the address in Thunder Bay?

    Comment by Mike Jennings — January 24, 2016 @ 8:47 pm

    • 647 Simpson Street, Thunder Bay; but only by appointment (ie, call first & set a time, 807-285-8309)

      Comment by Nick Drumbolis — February 1, 2016 @ 3:22 pm

  7. Where is the bookshop in thunder bay located? Id love to check it out!

    Comment by Alannah — January 25, 2016 @ 1:05 am

  8. Great story, I would love to visit Nicky’s shop in Thunder Bay. Where is he located?

    Comment by Carmelo Minnella — January 30, 2016 @ 10:03 am

  9. “the original james caldwell”… lmao that’s an original Robert Lowry!

    Comment by Heinz Wohlers — January 6, 2020 @ 8:33 am


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