A Personal View of 2010

I agree with Gene and here’s my own mantra for 2011:

Big, be it Amazon or Borders may come and go, but small is forever. As small dealers we’re in the knowledge business, whatever format it takes now or in the future. The more we know the better we’ll do. What the dealer adds is the frame of reference and credibility: why it’s important and who might want it. It’s that knowledge that differentiates the wheat from the chaff.

When I finished my year end numbers I found that 90 percent of my revenue came from 10 percent of my transactions, but there were also lots and lots and lots of small sales and at least a few repeat customers whose trade though small was welcome.

My thanks to all of you who helped me make it through.

Links to the booksellers mentioned in this month’s article

Better World Books – Antiquarian Division www.betterworldbooks.com

Blue Jacket Books www.bluejacketbooks.com

Book Fever www.bookfever.com

Books Tell You Why www.bookstellyouwhy.com

Lux Mentis www.luxmentis.com

Michael J. Osborne Books www.michaeljosbornebooks.com

Motte & Bailey www.mottebooks.com/shop/motte/index.html

Old Lahaina Book Emporium www.oldlahainabookemporium.com

Tavistock Books www.tavbooks.com

Susan Halas, a long time antiquarian dealer, writes for AE Monthly.