“The Rape of Europa,” Francois Boucher, 1732-34. Oil on canvas courtesy of the American Federation of the Arts.
NEW YORK CITY – Ursus Books has moved to a new shop at 132 West 21st Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues from its previous location in Soho. The shop is in addition to the Uptown flagship store in the Carlyle Hotel on Madison Avenue.
The new Ursus location maintains an emphasis on new and out-of-print art books and catalogs, with a particular focus on contemporary art. The rare book department offers an important collection of artist’s books, including works illustrated by Picasso, Matisse, Hockney, Dine and Calder, and executed by many of the great master printers of the Twentieth Century, such as Bruce Rogers and Giovanni Mardersteig.
An important collection of modern first editions currently includes volumes signed by three Presidents, as well as such diverse authors as Arthur Miller, Julian Barnes and Somerset Maugham.
The print department will present an on-going exhibition program of modern, antique and decorative prints and photographs.
Customers are invited to examine the actual volumes in a spacious, modern and comfortable setting. The value and usefulness of art books in particular often depends on the quality and relevance of the reproductions – merits that can only be fully assessed in person. Ursus believes that there is no substitute for browsing the shelves of a fine bookstore, with the assistance of a knowledgeable staff.
The shop is open Monday through Friday, 10 am to 6 pm; Saturday, 11 am to 5 pm. For further information, 212-627-5370.
