That Guy With The Books
@guywiththebooks.bsky.social
Toronto based antiquarian bookseller, early print and manuscript specialist. Illumination is groovy.
A few colleagues and clients ask what's keeping the next catalog.
When you underestimate the work for over 400 items from the 7th to 20th century as a solo bookseller, I'd say you've got your hands full, eh?
End of January-Early February. That's the goal.
When you underestimate the work for over 400 items from the 7th to 20th century as a solo bookseller, I'd say you've got your hands full, eh?
End of January-Early February. That's the goal.
December 22, 2025 at 12:58 AM
A few colleagues and clients ask what's keeping the next catalog.
When you underestimate the work for over 400 items from the 7th to 20th century as a solo bookseller, I'd say you've got your hands full, eh?
End of January-Early February. That's the goal.
When you underestimate the work for over 400 items from the 7th to 20th century as a solo bookseller, I'd say you've got your hands full, eh?
End of January-Early February. That's the goal.
No matter how much I catalog, there's still something new and fascinating every day.
Take this tiny little illustrated manuscript, a unique tale featuring the Twelve Zodiac Beasts in anthropomorphic form, milling about Japanese society.
Take this tiny little illustrated manuscript, a unique tale featuring the Twelve Zodiac Beasts in anthropomorphic form, milling about Japanese society.
December 19, 2025 at 10:25 PM
No matter how much I catalog, there's still something new and fascinating every day.
Take this tiny little illustrated manuscript, a unique tale featuring the Twelve Zodiac Beasts in anthropomorphic form, milling about Japanese society.
Take this tiny little illustrated manuscript, a unique tale featuring the Twelve Zodiac Beasts in anthropomorphic form, milling about Japanese society.
Today is just a day of photography for work, and then im blasted with this intense gaze from a horse 🐴
December 19, 2025 at 2:12 AM
Today is just a day of photography for work, and then im blasted with this intense gaze from a horse 🐴
I love manuscripts, and i love art.
As i continue along principle photography today, i can't help but spend extra time on this ink wash sketchbook of tigers, tigers, and tigers galore.
As i continue along principle photography today, i can't help but spend extra time on this ink wash sketchbook of tigers, tigers, and tigers galore.
December 17, 2025 at 7:21 PM
I love manuscripts, and i love art.
As i continue along principle photography today, i can't help but spend extra time on this ink wash sketchbook of tigers, tigers, and tigers galore.
As i continue along principle photography today, i can't help but spend extra time on this ink wash sketchbook of tigers, tigers, and tigers galore.
When the American fleet led by Commodore Perry first arrived at Edo Bay in 1853, it was an action that would forever change Japan, leading to the end of the centuries long isolationist position the nation had taken, and the beginning of the tumultuous Bakumatsu period.
1/2
1/2
December 17, 2025 at 12:13 AM
When the American fleet led by Commodore Perry first arrived at Edo Bay in 1853, it was an action that would forever change Japan, leading to the end of the centuries long isolationist position the nation had taken, and the beginning of the tumultuous Bakumatsu period.
1/2
1/2
Alright. Behind a couple weeks, but today I get to start principal photography. It's only several hundred items, I can get it done by January...right?
December 15, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Alright. Behind a couple weeks, but today I get to start principal photography. It's only several hundred items, I can get it done by January...right?
Nothing work related today, just wanted to share from our engagement photoshoot, which fittingly enough, took place at a bookstore.
December 11, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Nothing work related today, just wanted to share from our engagement photoshoot, which fittingly enough, took place at a bookstore.
Manuscript studies is when you have a brain meltdown understanding which of these manuscripts is older.
One of these is Heian Period (8th to 12th Century), and the other is either Nara (8th Century?) or also Heian Period, but a fair bit earlier.
One of these is Heian Period (8th to 12th Century), and the other is either Nara (8th Century?) or also Heian Period, but a fair bit earlier.
December 8, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Manuscript studies is when you have a brain meltdown understanding which of these manuscripts is older.
One of these is Heian Period (8th to 12th Century), and the other is either Nara (8th Century?) or also Heian Period, but a fair bit earlier.
One of these is Heian Period (8th to 12th Century), and the other is either Nara (8th Century?) or also Heian Period, but a fair bit earlier.
I used to be self-conscious of how my office looked. Now, average client visits go like this.
"What do you MEAN you keep illuminated painting albums on the FLOOR????"
"You keep how many paintings in a corner???"
My shelves are already double stacked, leave me alone...
"What do you MEAN you keep illuminated painting albums on the FLOOR????"
"You keep how many paintings in a corner???"
My shelves are already double stacked, leave me alone...
December 5, 2025 at 8:17 PM
I used to be self-conscious of how my office looked. Now, average client visits go like this.
"What do you MEAN you keep illuminated painting albums on the FLOOR????"
"You keep how many paintings in a corner???"
My shelves are already double stacked, leave me alone...
"What do you MEAN you keep illuminated painting albums on the FLOOR????"
"You keep how many paintings in a corner???"
My shelves are already double stacked, leave me alone...
Here's a bunch of Charles Dickens UK Firsts taking up space on my shelves.
900 USD and postage to the first person who wants em. Message or email to claim.
900 USD and postage to the first person who wants em. Message or email to claim.
November 28, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Here's a bunch of Charles Dickens UK Firsts taking up space on my shelves.
900 USD and postage to the first person who wants em. Message or email to claim.
900 USD and postage to the first person who wants em. Message or email to claim.
461 Items.
Definitely the largest Catalog I'll have ever made to date If I get it all done....
January ain't far off, gotta grit my teeth and catalog and photograph to the max.
Definitely the largest Catalog I'll have ever made to date If I get it all done....
January ain't far off, gotta grit my teeth and catalog and photograph to the max.
November 27, 2025 at 6:23 PM
461 Items.
Definitely the largest Catalog I'll have ever made to date If I get it all done....
January ain't far off, gotta grit my teeth and catalog and photograph to the max.
Definitely the largest Catalog I'll have ever made to date If I get it all done....
January ain't far off, gotta grit my teeth and catalog and photograph to the max.
The Tale of Genji is one of Japan's timeless literary classics, and Lady Murasaki Shikibu's masterwork, so it's been a focus of mine to try and acquire some early copies.
Imagine my shock when I acquire not one, or two, but a full suite of twenty seven illuminated paintings by the Tosa School...1/2
Imagine my shock when I acquire not one, or two, but a full suite of twenty seven illuminated paintings by the Tosa School...1/2
November 25, 2025 at 5:40 PM
The Tale of Genji is one of Japan's timeless literary classics, and Lady Murasaki Shikibu's masterwork, so it's been a focus of mine to try and acquire some early copies.
Imagine my shock when I acquire not one, or two, but a full suite of twenty seven illuminated paintings by the Tosa School...1/2
Imagine my shock when I acquire not one, or two, but a full suite of twenty seven illuminated paintings by the Tosa School...1/2
Magic Postman at the Door, being me something rare to sell.
Mailman: Here are some paintings of the aspects of Guanyin and calligraphy of the Heart Sutra attributed and signed by Pu Ru, cousin to the Last Emperor of China.
...I mean. Yeah. That'll do.
Mailman: Here are some paintings of the aspects of Guanyin and calligraphy of the Heart Sutra attributed and signed by Pu Ru, cousin to the Last Emperor of China.
...I mean. Yeah. That'll do.
November 22, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Magic Postman at the Door, being me something rare to sell.
Mailman: Here are some paintings of the aspects of Guanyin and calligraphy of the Heart Sutra attributed and signed by Pu Ru, cousin to the Last Emperor of China.
...I mean. Yeah. That'll do.
Mailman: Here are some paintings of the aspects of Guanyin and calligraphy of the Heart Sutra attributed and signed by Pu Ru, cousin to the Last Emperor of China.
...I mean. Yeah. That'll do.
When I became a bookseller, one of my grand goals was to acquire an incunable. Done at 25.
Then it was a Book of Hours. 26.
But one of the biggest goals? An original Paris Bible from the 13th century, on vellum.
It is November 2025. I'm 31. Cross that off the list, too.
Purchased with a buddy.
Then it was a Book of Hours. 26.
But one of the biggest goals? An original Paris Bible from the 13th century, on vellum.
It is November 2025. I'm 31. Cross that off the list, too.
Purchased with a buddy.
November 21, 2025 at 3:51 PM
When I became a bookseller, one of my grand goals was to acquire an incunable. Done at 25.
Then it was a Book of Hours. 26.
But one of the biggest goals? An original Paris Bible from the 13th century, on vellum.
It is November 2025. I'm 31. Cross that off the list, too.
Purchased with a buddy.
Then it was a Book of Hours. 26.
But one of the biggest goals? An original Paris Bible from the 13th century, on vellum.
It is November 2025. I'm 31. Cross that off the list, too.
Purchased with a buddy.
Magic Book Delivery at the door, bring me something good to sell!
Today is....an Early Edo Period Tale of Genji set in a plastic bag, with woodblock illustrations and annotations too.
I mean, it was also in bubble wrap, so it works.
Today is....an Early Edo Period Tale of Genji set in a plastic bag, with woodblock illustrations and annotations too.
I mean, it was also in bubble wrap, so it works.
November 19, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Magic Book Delivery at the door, bring me something good to sell!
Today is....an Early Edo Period Tale of Genji set in a plastic bag, with woodblock illustrations and annotations too.
I mean, it was also in bubble wrap, so it works.
Today is....an Early Edo Period Tale of Genji set in a plastic bag, with woodblock illustrations and annotations too.
I mean, it was also in bubble wrap, so it works.
It's Day 3 at the Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair!
See some books! Browse some amazing highlights. Leave with some fond bookish memories, and hey, maybe buy a book or two at that.
See some books! Browse some amazing highlights. Leave with some fond bookish memories, and hey, maybe buy a book or two at that.
November 16, 2025 at 5:05 PM
It's Day 3 at the Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair!
See some books! Browse some amazing highlights. Leave with some fond bookish memories, and hey, maybe buy a book or two at that.
See some books! Browse some amazing highlights. Leave with some fond bookish memories, and hey, maybe buy a book or two at that.
Day 2 at the Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair!
Books and manuscripts from Asia to Europe. East meets West, stop on by to have a look!
Books and manuscripts from Asia to Europe. East meets West, stop on by to have a look!
November 15, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Day 2 at the Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair!
Books and manuscripts from Asia to Europe. East meets West, stop on by to have a look!
Books and manuscripts from Asia to Europe. East meets West, stop on by to have a look!
One hour to go until the Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair opens, don't miss out!
November 14, 2025 at 9:03 PM
One hour to go until the Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair opens, don't miss out!
Awwwww yeah, nothing quite like last minute packing up for a book fair!
The Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair opens tomorrow, 5 PM EST at the OCAD U Waterfront!! Be seeing some of you soon.
The Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair opens tomorrow, 5 PM EST at the OCAD U Waterfront!! Be seeing some of you soon.
November 14, 2025 at 1:36 AM
Awwwww yeah, nothing quite like last minute packing up for a book fair!
The Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair opens tomorrow, 5 PM EST at the OCAD U Waterfront!! Be seeing some of you soon.
The Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair opens tomorrow, 5 PM EST at the OCAD U Waterfront!! Be seeing some of you soon.
Aw yeah nothing quite like a fair pre-sale that already covers the booth fee
November 13, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Aw yeah nothing quite like a fair pre-sale that already covers the booth fee
Three days to go and an unfinished fair list, what to bring, what to bring?
How about an original trio of cartography manuscripts on the San'yo Regions seas and islands, from 1872, with over 140 pages of original maps!
See it first at the Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair
How about an original trio of cartography manuscripts on the San'yo Regions seas and islands, from 1872, with over 140 pages of original maps!
See it first at the Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair
November 11, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Three days to go and an unfinished fair list, what to bring, what to bring?
How about an original trio of cartography manuscripts on the San'yo Regions seas and islands, from 1872, with over 140 pages of original maps!
See it first at the Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair
How about an original trio of cartography manuscripts on the San'yo Regions seas and islands, from 1872, with over 140 pages of original maps!
See it first at the Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair
Deal of the day, a well loved, 1546 Gryphius edition of the Letters to Atticus by Cicero.
Contemporary, Italian morroco leather binding, gilt tooling and the title, attributed to atelier of master bookbinder Marcantonio Guillery.
850 plus post and it's yours. Message or email to claim!
Contemporary, Italian morroco leather binding, gilt tooling and the title, attributed to atelier of master bookbinder Marcantonio Guillery.
850 plus post and it's yours. Message or email to claim!
November 9, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Deal of the day, a well loved, 1546 Gryphius edition of the Letters to Atticus by Cicero.
Contemporary, Italian morroco leather binding, gilt tooling and the title, attributed to atelier of master bookbinder Marcantonio Guillery.
850 plus post and it's yours. Message or email to claim!
Contemporary, Italian morroco leather binding, gilt tooling and the title, attributed to atelier of master bookbinder Marcantonio Guillery.
850 plus post and it's yours. Message or email to claim!
Inside me there are two tigers.
One wishes to be eccentric and show up in an SCA approved Renaissance outfit for my next book fair.
The other is judging said tiger for every life choice made up to that point.
Painting attributed to the Kano School.
One wishes to be eccentric and show up in an SCA approved Renaissance outfit for my next book fair.
The other is judging said tiger for every life choice made up to that point.
Painting attributed to the Kano School.
November 6, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Inside me there are two tigers.
One wishes to be eccentric and show up in an SCA approved Renaissance outfit for my next book fair.
The other is judging said tiger for every life choice made up to that point.
Painting attributed to the Kano School.
One wishes to be eccentric and show up in an SCA approved Renaissance outfit for my next book fair.
The other is judging said tiger for every life choice made up to that point.
Painting attributed to the Kano School.
In this line of work, even a work on etiquette can be highly interesting to study!
Take this late 17th manuscript scroll, which covers everything from decor arrangements to room etiquette, festival setup, and in this image, preparing meals. That fish looks awfully optimistic for becoming food...
Take this late 17th manuscript scroll, which covers everything from decor arrangements to room etiquette, festival setup, and in this image, preparing meals. That fish looks awfully optimistic for becoming food...
November 5, 2025 at 6:50 PM
In this line of work, even a work on etiquette can be highly interesting to study!
Take this late 17th manuscript scroll, which covers everything from decor arrangements to room etiquette, festival setup, and in this image, preparing meals. That fish looks awfully optimistic for becoming food...
Take this late 17th manuscript scroll, which covers everything from decor arrangements to room etiquette, festival setup, and in this image, preparing meals. That fish looks awfully optimistic for becoming food...
Just a little over a week to go until the Toronto Book Fair , time to brainstorm what to bring!
This illuminated painting album of the Eighteen Arhats is a maybe. The attribution to Watanabe Kazan is fantastic, but who could've expected his second son Shoka would have these rebound too??
This illuminated painting album of the Eighteen Arhats is a maybe. The attribution to Watanabe Kazan is fantastic, but who could've expected his second son Shoka would have these rebound too??
November 4, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Just a little over a week to go until the Toronto Book Fair , time to brainstorm what to bring!
This illuminated painting album of the Eighteen Arhats is a maybe. The attribution to Watanabe Kazan is fantastic, but who could've expected his second son Shoka would have these rebound too??
This illuminated painting album of the Eighteen Arhats is a maybe. The attribution to Watanabe Kazan is fantastic, but who could've expected his second son Shoka would have these rebound too??