Beneath the Rose: Adventures in Collecting and Selling rare books

The intention of this blog series, Beneath the Rose, is to document the lived experience of collecting, studying, and selling rare books, with particular attention paid to editions, variants, and publication history. While many of the works discussed originate from my own collection, the focus extends beyond ownership alone, examining how books move through time, hands, and markets, and how subtle bibliographic distinctions shape their meaning and value.

This space is meant to serve as a reference point for fellow collectors and readers with similar interests, while also offering historical and contextual insight into the production and transmission of significant works. From time to time, I will introduce essays on books not in my collection, especially those encountered during research visits, institutional archives, or private libraries. One such example is my recent visit to the Oakland Scottish Rite Masonic Temple, where I examined and photographed a specially bound copy of Manly P. Hall’s The Secret Teachings of All Ages. An article based on that visit was published through the Philosophical Research Society in Los Angeles, and an expanded version will appear here in the near future.

Thank you,