Jumel Terrance Books in Harlem is worth a visit. Been trying to go for a while. It’s owned and run by Kurt Thometz, a private librarian who, among others, edited a book of Nigerian pamphlet writings, Life Turns Man Up and Down (published by Pantheon in 2001) from of a brownstone in Harlem. Here’s a description from the store’s website:
At the pinnacle of Sugar Hill, Uptown’s only antiquarian bookshop specializes in local history, African and American: Colonialist and Revolutionary books, art, and ephemera relating to the Morris/Jumel Mansion and its community: Harlem, Washington Heights, African America, Africa, and the Black Atlantic are our specialties. Housed on the garden floor of an 1891 brownstone, the stock draws on private librarian Kurt Thometz’s collections on these subjects. Open Friday through Sunday from 11 to 6 – by appointment, serendipity, and invitation – the shop hosts book signings, exhibitions, and special events.
Some testimonials from the mainstream press can be found here and here. The bookstore’s site is here.
I’ve seen this place before. Amazing energy surrounding it. Thanks for shedding some light.
You live in Harlem?
-Stal
Sean,
Love it. Andy flipped your piece my way and this is great. Might even inspire someone to buy a book.
Looking forward to meeting tomorrow. Today I’m confronted by some mechanical difficulties that could spill over into tomorrow. Could we speak later today, when I’ll have a better idea of what the day will be about. I don’t have your connects, other than this, so hit me at the shop:
Kurt Thometz
Jumel Terrace Books
426 West 160th St.
New York, NY 10032
(212) 928-9525.