New Rare Book Shop Philip Salmon & Company Opens Its Doors in Boston

Book collectors will probably already be familiar with the address of Boston's new book shop Philip Salmon & Company Rare Books at 607 Boylston Street since it occupies second floor space where the well known Bromer Booksellers ran its shop for decades. 

Co-owner Phil Salmon described his new business as "a legacy venture" where he and his colleagues who are all previous employees at Bromer which closed at the end of last year are now "the new old kids on the block." That legacy includes a commitment to maintaining the prestige and professional heritage of Bromer while "experimenting with new materials, in a new arrangement". 

Its newly issued introductory catalog is The Interaction of Paper which is drawn largely from a private collection and explores paper engineering as education and entertainment in materials from the 18th to the 21st century including traditional pop-ups and movables for children, peepshows, interactive works for tradespeople, and artists' books. Items in the catalogue range from $50 to mid-four-figures.

"We intend to build on the Bromer reputation for the book beautiful and rare, and expand it to encompass challenging material, particularly relating to the exploration of social justice issues," said Salmon. Other genres of books, manuscripts, and paper collectibles on shelves in their walk-in shop and to be offered in future catalogs include literary first editions, manuscripts and letters, fine printing and artist's books, works by Edward Gorey, and miniature books.  

"There's no substitute for visiting a shop and being afforded the pleasant experience of physically examining books before making a purchase," said Salmon.