Attic Books

Attic Books is an independent used and antiquarian bookstore in London, Ontario, and is described as one of Canada's largest independent used bookstores. Founded by Marvin Post in 1976, the business began on the upper floor of a building at 428 Richmond Street in downtown London. It moved to 388 Clarence Street the following year, relocated to Parkhill, Ontario, in 1987 as downtown development affected its premises, and returned to London in 1996 after encouragement from then-mayor Diane Haskett. It subsequently became one of the longstanding destination businesses in London's downtown core. The store's inventory extends well beyond ordinary second-hand books. Its specialties include antiquarian and rare books, maps, prints, ephemera, collectibles, antiques, and books about books. The business also has a connection with the work of Charles van Sandwyk, whose fine-art and fantasy cards and books have been available through the store. Attic Books participates in antiquarian and paper-related trade shows, including events in Toronto and Ottawa, and has maintained professional links with organizations such as the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers and the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of Canada. A major change came in 2006, when a second floor that had previously been reserved for dealers and established collectors was opened to the general public. This expanded the store's accessible retail space and exposed visitors to more specialized material, including antiquarian books, maps, prints, collectibles, antiques, and bibliography-related titles. The store also sells Brodart protective mylar jackets and has been involved in community activities in London by sponsoring or hosting awards and events. Attic Books operates from 240 Dundas Street, a late-Victorian commercial building with a long history of retail and public uses. The structure was expanded during the 1880s, renovated in 1909 with Arts and Crafts details under the direction of London architect J. M. Moore, and later occupied by businesses including a stationer, tea company, drugstore, furniture retailers, a music and appliance company, and a stationery and bookseller. Marvin Post purchased the building in 1996. The premises retain historic features such as a former elevator, upper-floor spaces, and a distinctive walnut-and-maple 'wedding floor'; a gargoyle added during the current ownership has also become part of the building's character. The brand's identity is rooted in specialist knowledge, physical discovery, collecting, and the preservation of printed and paper culture. Rather than functioning solely as a general used-book retailer, Attic Books combines destination-store retailing with antiquarian dealing, appraisal-related expertise, trade-show participation, and local cultural involvement. Its current status, ownership structure beyond the stated owner, and official website are not established in the supplied reference material.

Marvin Post opened Attic Books in 1976 on the top floor of 428 Richmond Street in London, Ontario. In 1977, the shop moved to the second floor of 388 Clarence Street. A decade later, downtown development led to a relocation to Parkhill, Ontario. The business returned to London in 1996 after mayor Diane Haskett encouraged Post to re-establish the store in the city. Attic Books then became a notable longstanding destination business in London's downtown core. Post purchased the building at 240 Dundas Street in 1996. The property is a late-Victorian red-brick commercial structure whose upper floors were added in the 1880s. A substantial 1909 renovation introduced Arts and Crafts elements, extended the rear of the building, added a mezzanine, and installed an elevator manufactured by the Roelofsen Machine and Tool Company of Galt, Ontario. Earlier occupants included a tailor, stationers, a tea company, a drugstore, furniture businesses, a music and appliance retailer, and Robert Holmes Stationery, which occupied the site from 1965 to 1995. After acquiring the building, Post undertook work that revealed aspects of its earlier construction and decoration. Repainting the elevator removed a substantial layer of lead paint and exposed multiple historic colours. The upper-floor walnut-and-maple flooring, known as a wedding floor, was retained. A gargoyle designed by Florin Musta and acquired through Studio Celtia was added to the building during the current ownership. Attic Books expanded public access to its specialist inventory in 2006. Its second floor, previously available mainly to dealers and known collectors, opened to the general public. The area offered antiquarian books, maps, prints, collectibles, antiques, and books about books, strengthening the shop's role as a destination for collectors as well as general visitors. The store's activities are connected to the wider antiquarian-book and paper trade. Marvin Post has been associated with the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers, the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of Canada, and the Canadian Booksellers Association since the early 1980s. He has also appraised archives, books, and related material for public institutions for insurance and tax purposes. Attic Books attends or participates in book and paper fairs in Toronto and Ottawa, and the business has sponsored or hosted community awards and events in London. Before opening Attic Books, Post dealt in stamps and operated B-side Records in the early 1970s. The record shop used a symbol derived from an antiquarian-book press label. The store is also associated in local lore with a purported ghost named Roland. A paranormal investigation conducted at the building in 2009 attributed phenomena such as flickering lights, flying books, and a cigar smell to the alleged presence, although these claims are folkloric rather than established business history.

• 2009

  Paranormal investigation at the premises

  [1]Attic Booksen.wikipedia.org

  The Paranormal Knights of London investigated the 240 Dundas Street building, contributing to the store's local ghost story about an alleged spirit called Roland.

• 2006

  Specialist second floor opens to the public

  [1]Attic Booksen.wikipedia.org

  The previously restricted second floor became publicly accessible, adding a more visible retail area for antiquarian books, maps, prints, collectibles, antiques, and books about books.

• 1996

  Return to downtown London

  [1]Attic Booksen.wikipedia.org

  Attic Books returned to London after encouragement from mayor Diane Haskett. Marvin Post also purchased the building at 240 Dundas Street.

• 1987

  Relocation to Parkhill

  [1]Attic Booksen.wikipedia.org

  Development in downtown London prompted Attic Books to move to Parkhill, Ontario.

• 1981

  Post joins antiquarian-book organizations

  [1]Attic Booksen.wikipedia.org

  Marvin Post began membership in the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers and the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of Canada, according to the reference account.

• 1977

  First relocation

  [1]Attic Booksen.wikipedia.org

  The shop moved to the second floor of 388 Clarence Street in London.

• 1976

  Attic Books opens in London

  [1]Attic Booksen.wikipedia.org

  Marvin Post founded Attic Books on the top floor of 428 Richmond Street in London, Ontario.

A specialist, destination-oriented independent bookseller serving readers, collectors, dealers, institutions, and enthusiasts of antiquarian books and paper culture. The business differentiates itself through its breadth of rare and used material, physical downtown premises, professional antiquarian-book networks, appraisal expertise associated with its owner, trade-show participation, and community presence.

• Books · 1976

  Antiquarian and rare books

  The store's core specialty is antiquarian, rare, and fine used books. Its inventory serves collectors and readers seeking older, scarce, or historically significant publications, alongside more general second-hand stock.

• Paper and cartographic material

  Maps, prints, and ephemera

  Attic Books deals in maps, prints, and ephemera as part of its broader paper-culture offering. These materials complement its book inventory and support collecting focused on visual, documentary, and historical printed objects.

• Collectibles · 2006

  Collectibles and antiques

  The specialist second floor includes collectibles and antiques in addition to books and paper. The range positions the shop as a destination for people interested in material culture and historical objects as well as printed works.

• Art books and cards

  Charles van Sandwyk cards and books

  Attic Books is identified as one of the few places where Charles van Sandwyk's fine-art and fantasy cards and books can be purchased. The offering adds an illustrated and contemporary-art dimension to the store's antiquarian and collectible focus.

• Book-protection supplies

  Brodart mylar jackets

  The store is described as the only local supplier of Brodart mylar jackets. These protective covers support the preservation and display of books, particularly for collectors and institutions.

1. 1Attic Booksen.wikipedia.org