Book lovers flock to city’s biggest book sale for a rare piece of history
The sale featured everything from books personally autographed by Shirley Chisholm to artifacts once gifted to city officials. Each item offered a glimpse into New York’s rich and storied history.
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For the first time in nearly a decade, the New York City Municipal Archives and Library opened its doors to the public, releasing rare and historic books at bargain prices. The one-day sale drew in bookworms, collectors and history buffs alike - all eager to grab a piece of the city’s past.
“This is unbelievably popular; there was a line to get in the door. It’s insane!” said Pauline Toole, commissioner of the NYC Department of Records and Information Services.
The sale featured everything from books personally autographed by Shirley Chisholm to artifacts once gifted to city officials. Each item offered a glimpse into New York’s rich and storied history.
Collector Laeo Crnkovicrubsan said he was thrilled by his find.
“I just bought a bond that was issued by Mayor La Guardia in the 1940s, when New York City was buying the subways. It’s cool to have a piece of history,” he said.
Shoppers could pick up books for as little as $2, with genres ranging from politics and history to art and urban planning.
“There’s one book that was sold that was like, ‘How to End the Affordable Housing Crisis,’” Toole added with a laugh. “It was from 2016, so hopefully whoever bought that is going to find the answer!”
Beyond the bargains, attendees said the sale was also about recognizing the importance of the city’s archives.
“The archives is a very overlooked department in New York,” said Ellie Watts, one of the attendees. “If more people understood its importance, more people would be at events like this.”
According to the New York City Municipal Archives and Library, an "overwhelming number of New Yorkers showed up" to the event "cleaning out the stock of surplus books offered for sale." Those still looking to catch a sale are encouraged to visit https://on.nyc.gov/auction to bid on twelve rare books, including an autographed copy of "Unbought and Unbossed" by Shirley Chisholm or a David Lynch retrospective, "The Air is on Fire."
