Shapero Rare Books' Parent Reports Small Monthly Loss
- by Michael Stillman
Shapero Rare Books (Scholium Group website photo).
The past few years have not been the easiest for antiquarian booksellers. The last thing anyone needed was a crisis that forced shops to close, people to retreat behind the walls of their homes and rarely stick their heads out. But, here we are. Most booksellers get to suffer in silence, but Scholium Group, parent of venerable bookseller Shapero Rare Books, is a public company. They need to update their shareholders.
Early last month, Scholium reported they were experiencing “a small monthly loss.” Scholium has two other newer businesses, one selling stamps, the other doing joint sales with other dealers. However, Shapero Rare Books is their largest business. In their last reported six-month period, ending last September, Scholium was able to report that they had achieved a small profit, significant improvements over both the previous six-month period, and the six-month period ending in September of 2018. Shapero had suffered the usual doldrums many booksellers experienced, exacerbated by having a substantial business in the particularly challenged field of Russian books. Nonetheless, they had turned the corner.
That can only make the market contraction caused by the coronavirus outbreak even more disheartening. Scholium noted that Shapero's retail premises were closed to the public, though it and the other divisions maintained business at a lower level online and by phone. But, despite undertaking cost-cutting measures, they were not able to prevent monthly losses, though the firm reported that the losses (exact amount unspecified) were small. In a statement the company released, Scholium reported, “As a result, and taking into account various cost savings that have been achieved by the board, including the furloughing of several members of staff, the group as a whole is currently trading at a small monthly loss.”
On a positive note, Scholium reported that it had inventory worth over €8 million along with €270,000 (approximately US $300,000) in cash. Nonetheless, their stock price slipped to a new low at £25 shortly after the announcement.
Doyle The Collection of Mary Tyler Moore June 4, 2025
DOYLE: Peter Max, Portrait of Mary Tyler Moore (Versions 1,2, 5, 6), 2001. Estimate $10,000-15,000
DOYLE: The iconic screen-used wall-mounted "M" from The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Estimate $5,000-8,000
DOYLE: The Mary Tyler Moore Show by Al Hirschfeld. Estimate $4,000-6,000
Doyle The Collection of Mary Tyler Moore June 4, 2025
DOYLE: Annie Leibovitz presents Mary Tyler Moore and Dick Van Dyke for Vanity Fair. Estimate $4,000-6,000
DOYLE: Al Hirschfeld presents Mary Tyler Moore and Dick Van Dyke in the CBS Wednesday Night Lineup. Estimate $4,000-6,000
DOYLE: Richard McKenzie, Portrait of Mary Tyler Moore. Estimate $1,000-2,000
Doyle The Collection of Mary Tyler Moore June 4, 2025
DOYLE: Three Original Bill Hargate Costume Designs for The Mary Tyler Moore Hour. Estimate $600-800
DOYLE: The famous Bonnie and Clyde "Wanted" broadside. Estimate $500-800
DOYLE: Ticket to the Final Episode of the Mary Tyler Moore Show Estimate $400-600
Sotheby's Bibliothèque Jacques Dauchez - Autour de Dubuffet
5-19 June
Sotheby’s, June 5-19: Bissière, Roger. Cantique à notre frère soleil de saint François. 1954. 1,000 - 1,500 EUR
Sotheby’s, June 5-19: Céline, Louis-Ferdinand. La vie & l’œuvre de Philippe Ignace Semmelweis. 1924. Rare édition originale, avec envoi. Joint : La Quinine en thérapeutique, 1925. 4,000 - 6,000 EUR
Sotheby’s, June 5-19: Céline, Louis-Ferdinand. Mort à crédit. 1936. Édition originale. Bel exemplaire sur Hollande. 2,500 - 3,500 EUR
Sotheby's Bibliothèque Jacques Dauchez - Autour de Dubuffet
5-19 June
Sotheby’s, June 5-19: Chillida, Eduardo ─ Emil Cioran. Face aux instants. 1985. Un des 100 exemplaires sur Arches. Eau-forte signée. 600 - 800 EUR
Sotheby’s, June 5-19: Dubuffet, Jean. Ler dla canpane. L’Art Brut, 1948. Édition originale. 3,000 - 5,000 EUR
Sotheby’s, June 5-19: Dubuffet, Jean. L'Herne Jean Dubuffet. 1973. Un des 100 exemplaires du tirage de luxe avec une sérigraphie originale en couleurs. 1,000 - 1,500 EUR
Gros & Delettrez Livres & Manuscrits Arméniens Jeudi 12 juin 2025 Paris, Francis
Gros & Delettrez, June 12: BIBLE, Venise 1733, reliure arménienne
Gros & Delettrez, June 12: CHARAKNOTS, manuscrit XVIIe-XVIIIe siècle
