Grolier Club

not nearly as interesting a building as I thought it would be. Also, only a few rooms are accessible to the public for exhibitions.
the Children’s Literature exhibit was fine not not amazing.

I highly recommend the Grolier Club for interesting book-​related exhibits. They have one now on books during the Italian American immigration era. So interesting to see. It’s also one of those hidden places that don’t get too crowded. Very enjoyable exhibits.

Preceptor: «Welcome, please introduce yourself to the rest of the group»
Me: «Thank you. My name is Javier and I am Bibliophile…»
Group: «Hi Javier»
Me: «…Hi»
Preceptor: «Tell us, how long have you been sober?»
Me: «I haven’t read a book for 18 hours…»
Preceptor: «Go on…»
Me: «I was on the subway, and I tried to do like everyone else; space-​out, mind my ride, do nothing. But I couldn’t. I saw a lady in front of me, she was reading, and I felt this feeling that every second that passed was a missed second of knowledge. I opened my backpack, reached for my book, caressed the glossy dustjacket and opened it… in a minute I was transported to the Dreyfus Affaire, XIX century Paris, and I…*whimper*»
Preceptor: «What’s wrong?»
Me (blowing nose): «Nothing, something got into my eye…»
Preceptor: «Oh, okay. now tell us about that place you mentioned to me?»
Me: «The G-​Grolier Club?»
Preceptor: «Yes»
Me (blank staring at the wall): «I used to go there for my Rare Book Class, I remember the first time I entered the townhouse; red carpet, tiled floors, large vases with various flower arrangements, gilded décor on walls and pillars, elegant furniture… the place was refined without being snobby. The concierge at the desk to my left looked at me surprised at my age and my beanie; he smiled at me with the look of he who seems to think: „Yes! This generation has not yet forsaken us“, he told me that I was a bit early and if I wanted to wait for the rest at the main exhibition hall. I nodded and was led to the hall right in front of the entrance… I was alone; books were displayed on glass display cases, and it was a book cover exhibition; various rare and on occasion, unique editions of strange types of covers made with many different materials (metal, carved wood, plaster, etc…) the visual effect was stunning, and I could only wonder what the contents of those book might’ve been. The class arrived. We could get the elevator to the third floor or climb the elegant staircase. I chose the latter; up I went and saw paintings of famous book collectors, writers, and other ppl who surely were notables on the history of the Grolier Club and Books. The second floor houses a library and another exhibition hall and hallway; we had our class in one of these cozy studies, filled with old and rare books, and a cart in the corner with coffee and water. I felt right at home. We were then told the history of the Grolier Club. Founded on 1884, it is the biggest and oldest society for bibliophiles and book collectors; members are allowed to donate their collections to the Grolier Club post mortem, and enjoy many privileges, such as the use of the collections, libraries and premises at large; although they told us that the main exhibition hall is open to the public as well. We got to meet the chairman of the Grolier Club, one of the curators and other notable members; and they all had this incredibly chipper attitude, totally peaceful, educated, candid and humorous. You would never imagine that these people are tremendously knowledgeable about many, many things, and the conversations with them are utterly and totally fascinating…»
Preceptor: «Tell us more about them???»
Me: «Well, their forte lies in the fact that they have perhaps the biggest collection in the world of books on books. Literary indexes, limited edition appendixes, books on a particular collection or collector, books on printing, binding, typography… you get the lithograph»
Preceptor: «And the members of the club; are they addicted as well?»
Me: «Yes, they are hardcore bibliophiles, all suffering from bibliomania; the appreciation of the knowledge contained within paper, combined with the desire borne out of the outward beauty or circumstances of a particular book…»
Preceptor: «Circumstances?»
Me: «The rarer it is, the more the book will be sought out»
Preceptor: «Well Javier, maybe you need to embrace it; this is not a curse, but a passion!»
Me: «I can’t»
Preceptor: «Why’s that?»
Me: «I can’t afford rare books; even one that would be considered reasonable still costs thrice my rent»
Preceptor: «Don’t worry, It’ll be. (fetches up a bowl with prozac tablets)…allright (hands them to me)»
Me (mumbling): «thank you…»
«Excuse me» –someone from the audience raises his hand.
Preceptor: «Yes?»
Sonny: «J-​Javier, if you don’t mind me saying, don’t you feel like kinda of nerdy on admitting being such a bookworm?»
Me (munching some Prozac): «Uhh, No»
Sonny (surprised): «W-​why?»
Me: «For one, I wasn’t raised amidst stereotypes; so I see them for what they truly are; an exercize of mediocrity to try to debase those who have talent, excellence and sensibility… a conditioned mind also betrays limitation, and therefore, weakness»
Sonny: «T-​then why are you here?»
Me: «So I could get some of these Prozac tablets for free; see ya chumps!» (runs quickly towards the exit)