Leary's Book Store
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Bookstore, Publishing |
| Founded | 1836 |
| Founder | William A. Leary |
| Defunct | 1968-11-20 |
| Fate | Closed due to declining demand; building demolished in late 1970s |
| Headquarters | Philadelphia , United States |
| Products | Pre-owned books, publishing |
Leary's Book Store stood as a prominent fixture in downtown Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for close to a century. When it ceased operations in 1969,[1] it held the distinction of being recognized as the “oldest bookstore in the United States.”
Business
Specializing in the trade of pre-owned books, Leary's Book Store acquired extensive collections from private libraries and sold them individually. The store boasted an inventory spanning "twenty thousand square feet," encompassing nearly half a million volumes.
There is documentation indicating that Leary's also engaged in publishing, including titles such as:
- The Talmud: Selections from the Contents of that Ancient Book, Its Commentaries, Teachings, Poetry, and Legends. Also, Brief Sketches of the Men who made and commented upon it. Translated from the Original By H. Polano, Philadelphia: Leary's Book Store, 1876.
- Leary's Ready Reckoner: Form Book & Wages Calculator. Philadelphia: Leary, Stuart & Co., 1904.
Location
Situated centrally in Philadelphia’s downtown area at 9 South 9th Street, Leary's Book Store was just a short walk from Market Street.
Adjacent to the massive Gimbel's Department Store located at the corner of 9th and Market, Leary's occupied a comparatively modest space on 9th Street, separated from Gimbels by a narrow cobble stoned alley.
The bookstore was housed within a sizable three-story structure with a basement and sloped roof. Each of its three floors plus basement was filled with books. A distinctive feature on the third floor was an opening in the floor that looked down onto the mezzanine below.
Additional volumes were displayed outside along shelves positioned on Leary’s side of the alleyway dividing it from Gimbels. Although some measures were taken to protect these books and patrons from weather elements, visitors often endured Philadelphia’s unpredictable outdoor conditions.
Books filled every corner inside the building—lining wall shelves and stacked on tables for customers to peruse. The store maintained a policy of minimal interference with browsers, only guiding visitors toward specific sections upon request.
History
In 1836, William A. Leary launched a sidewalk book stall near Philadelphia’s Old Market on North Second Street, eventually securing premises at No. 158.[2]
Following Leary’s passing, ownership transferred in 1876 to Edwin S. Stuart and Charles Mann, who later renamed it Leary, Stuart, and Co. Stuart relocated the business to 9 South Ninth Street in September 1877 to capitalize on the city government’s move.[2]
Leary's flourished during the Golden Age of Books, spanning much of the 19th century and into the early 20th century—a time when books served as primary sources of both education and entertainment.
Post-World War II, as readers migrated to suburban areas where alternative bookstores were more accessible, demand for Leary's used volumes declined significantly.
The bookstore ultimately shuttered its doors on November 20, 1968, due largely to this demographic shift reducing its clientele.
During final inventory preparations for auction at Freeman auction house, several ancient documents—believed to have remained unsold for over a century—were discovered among the stock. Notably, an original broadside of the Declaration of Independence dated 1776 surfaced. Identified as a first printing by John Dunlap, it fetched over $400,000 at auction. The purchasers, two affluent businessmen from Texas, subsequently donated this historic piece to Dallas; it is now permanently exhibited at the Dallas Public Library.
Both Leary's Book Store and its neighboring Gimbels department store—acquired by Gimbels in 1894—were demolished by the late 1970s. Despite multiple redevelopment efforts for the site failing to materialize, it has primarily been utilized as a parking facility since then.
Advertising
Leary's Book Store incorporated the image of The Bookworm, an 1850 creation by German artist and poet Carl Spitzweg, into its promotional efforts. To draw attention during the Centennial Exhibition, the proprietors had a rendition of this painting applied to the store’s exterior.
A zoomed-in segment of this artwork, featuring the bookworm perched on a ladder, served as a key element in Leary's marketing materials and commercial signage.
Visitors and patrons frequently received bookmarks displaying this illustration, along with educational posters detailing the bookstore’s background and legacy.
See also
References
- ↑ "An Old Landmark: A Famous Book Store". The Digital Public Library of America. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Leary's Book Store Records". Temple University, University Libraries. Retrieved 2015-06-16.
External links
- Leary’s book store
- learys bookstore receipt
- Gimbel’s
- My Father's Books
- The Riddle of Coburn’s Volume
- The Story of the Book Worm Interesting Facts Concerning a Famous Painting
- THE PRICE OF 'INDEPENDENCE'
Further reading
- The Story of the Book Worm Interesting Facts Concerning a Famous Painting, a classic portrayal of Leary's Bookstore in Philadelphia. (Soft cover reprint from the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin.)