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Argosy Book Store

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Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Argosy Book Store, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 25 July 20256 sources
Argosy Book Store
IndustrySpecialty retail
Founded1925 (1925)
FounderLouis Cohen
Headquarters
New York City
,
United States
Area served
Worldwide
ProductsRare and out-of-print books; antique maps and prints; autographs and manuscripts
OwnerJudith Lowry, Naomi Hample, Adina Cohen, Ben Lowry
Number of employees
17
Websitehttp://www.argosybooks.com/

The Argosy Book Store holds the distinction of being the longest-standing independent bookstore in New York City. Situated at 116 East 59th Street within Midtown Manhattan, it occupies a six-level townhouse featuring sales floors that focus on first editions, Americana, leather-bound volumes, antique maps and prints, as well as autographs. Additional services include bargain book sections, custom framing, shipping options, and a substantial warehouse located in Brooklyn.

History

Established in 1925 by Louis Cohen,[1] the name "Argosy" was chosen to appear near the beginning of telephone directories. Initially part of Fourth Avenue's famed "Book Row," the store relocated to 114 East 59th Street during the 1930s,[2] before settling at its present location in 1964. Ruth Shevin, Cohen's wife, managed the store's art gallery well into her nineties, collaborating closely with family members. Currently operated by Cohen’s three daughters and grandson, the bookstore remains a family-owned business in its third generation.[3]

The Argosy has catered to distinguished patrons such as President Franklin D. Roosevelt, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, and President Bill Clinton, who continues to be a loyal customer following the restoration of his flood-damaged collection by the owners. Other notable visitors have included Michael Jackson, Stephen Sondheim, Princess Grace, Donatella Versace, and former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.[4] In addition, musician Patti Smith briefly held a position at the store in 1967.[5]

In October 2012, Hurricane Sandy inflicted significant damage when bricks from a neighboring building crashed through the roof, flooding upper floors and destroying valuable historical items, including Congressional acts signed by Thomas Jefferson.[6] The store completed its restoration by autumn of 2013.

In popular culture

Famed for its sophisticated vintage ambiance, The Argosy has been featured in various films and television series, including The Front starring Woody Allen, the Law and Order series, and Person of Interest. Alfred Hitchcock’s film Vertigo showcases a San Francisco bookstore sharing the same name. The store has also appeared in fashion editorials, TV interviews, and played a significant role in the 2018 motion picture Can You Ever Forgive Me?, which revolves around the authentic literary forgeries by Lee Israel. Additionally, the 2019 film The Goldfinch includes scenes set at the bookstore.

The Argosy’s legacy is further explored in the 2019 documentary titled The Booksellers and was extensively profiled in an article by Janet Malcolm published in The New Yorker.

External links

  1. ↑ "The world's most inspiring bookstores" Salon
  2. ↑ Chernofsky, Jacob (April 15, 1991), "Louis Cohen and the Argosy Book Store", AB Bookman's Weekly, pp. 1509–1510
  3. ↑ Molarsky, Mona. "Favorite Midtown bookstores east of Fifth". Examiner.com, February 16, 2009.
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named shrine to books past
  5. ↑ "Jonathan Lethem & Patti Smith" (interview). PEN American Center. November 3, 2010.
  6. ↑ Barron, James (November 15, 2012), "Storm's Damage Extends to Nation's History", The New York Times

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