One of the personal by-products of this past year's COVID-19 pandemic experience was the realization that I, after 32 years in the antiquarian book trade, no longer wish to man an open shop for 8 hours a day. Going forward, I intend to pursue a semi-retired lifestyle, and in keeping with this philosophy, have transitioned to a on-line only business model.
And in keeping with this new business model, this website is open 24/7 and any order placed will [normally] ship within 3 business days, if not sooner.
A word that these days usually calls to mind the myriad of television series built on the theme. But here on the good ship Tavistock, by survivor, we refer to those pieces of bibliophilic flotsam that we’ve found swirling in backwater eddies of a forgotten used bookstore, or on the figurative beach of a flea market table. And like a castaway that treasures such items washed ashore, to again be put to use, we have endeavored, in this catalogue, to bring these 35 uncommon items back to the forefront, giving them life & purpose anew.
Last fall, Kate & I issued a catalogue entitled Albums & Archives. And while we considered it a ‘successful’ catalogue [i.e., we didn’t lose any money on the endeavor, and truth be told, actually made a few bucks on the deal], we were amazed [mystified?] why some of the neat material offered therein remained therein, not jetting off to a new locale. Too pricey? Lacking in ‘wow’ factor? For whatever reason, the ‘hook’ just didn’t hook. So, with that in mind, fast forward to today. On Reflection loosely reprises that Tavistock Books’ catalogue of 15 months ago: more albums & archives, some new, and some that have been reflected upon… revised verbiage, revised price, revised somethingorother…
“Grab some pine Meat!”, growls Mike Krukow after every strike-out.
“Fresh Meat!” yells the butcher.
And too this bookseller, for in this instance it means “Fresh Books” [and other stuff]. So herein we have 44 fresh items for your consideration, contemplation, deliberation, rumination, meditation & examination.
Why 44? Easy, it’s October and that was Stretch’s number. And the first person to place an order who also correctly identifies “Stretch”, gets an automatic 10% discount on same.
