On my recent book hunting foray in the Denver metro area, I
found my way to a second wonderful used bookseller. Gallagher Books was tucked in a section of
older commercial stores in an antique sellers zone on Denver’s South Broadway Street. I was coming from a different section of the
Denver metro area but depended on the trusty GPS navigation in my “semi” smart phone
to get me there! And a good job I must
of done because I never once was subject to a “recalculating!!”
admonition!
Gallagher Books is a very well organized store which is
owned and operated by two of the nicest folks you could meet anywhere. Don and Sue Gallagher were very friendly and
helpful from the minute I walked in the door.
Don was busy negotiating a buy from some folks but Sue took me right
back to the nature and science sections and answered all of my questions about
where certain types might be shelved.
So I began perusing the selection and what to my wondering
eye should appear? A very hard to find
treatment on the writings of the great natural historian and conservationist
Aldo Leopold! Thinking Like a Mountain by Susan Flader was a book I had on my list
of “Aldo’s to collect” but over the last three years and at least 50 used
bookstores, had never seen in any condition.
And this copy was in fine condition with a dust jacket in fine condition
and a mylar cover! When I opened it up
and saw that it was $40, I winced but kept it in my hands while I continued to
search the nature section and thought about whether or not “the market would
bear it.”
Then, not much further down the stack, what jumps up but a
copy of Leopold’s Round River. The book was in very good condition and had a
decent dust jacket on it will just a minimum of wear. I racked my brain but simply could not
remember for certain if I had this book in the cases back home. So it became necessary to go out to the car
and consult the master list of “BOLO” books!
I went up to the counter and set the copy of Thinking Like a Mountain down and told Don, “Well this one is
really 'dear' but I don’t know when I’ll see it again. There is another one there that I am considering
but I need to go look at my master list in the car.” He laughed and said “Well how much is the “dear
one?” “Forty bucks” I replied. He laughed again and said “Well go check your
list and when you come back in we will see what we can do.”
So I went out and checked the list. Round
River was not on there but I still wasn’t sure that I had it. I guess when you buy enough books in too
short of a time frame you are bound to have less than stellar recall. At least that’s how I convince myself that it
is not age-related forgetfulness! I
decided I would get both and if I ended up already having a copy of Round River that I would donate it to
the silent auction of an organization I am part of.
Returning to the store, I went back to the stack and brought
the second Leopold up and got ready to check out. Don considered both and said “How about $45
for both?” How could a natural history
bibliophile retired wildlifer guy pass that up?
I normally will not try to negotiate price with a used bookseller unless
there is a condition issue that I think renders a pricing too high. But I appreciated Don’s willingness to give
me a bit of a break. Especially since I
had just come from the Hermitage Book Shop where I had dropped $40 for another
tome!
Gallagher Books has quite a large number of books and is
still selectively an active buyer. They also have a good stock of rare prints,
posters, and library antiques. They are
members of both the Antiquarian Book Sellers Association (ABBA) and the Rocky
Mountain Antiquarian Booksellers Association (RMABA). Their book complement is online and
can be wandered through from the convenience of your computer. But doing so will lessen the serendipitous
finding of a treasure like I did and you won’t get to directly interact with
Don or Sue! And that is part of the true
pleasure of wandering into and around such a fine store.
Gallagher Books
1428 South Broadway
Denver, CO 80210
(303)756-5821 or 1-866-425-5225
Hours: Mon-Sat: 10:30
am -5:30 pm. Sun: noon-5 pm. Jan-May: Tues by appointment only
