Lynchburg born, Lynchburg read
By Jon Busdeker on Jul. 05, 2007
There are four books in the glass case near the doorway to the Bookshop on the Avenue on Memorial Avenue. Each book has something to do with the history of Lynchburg.
One hardcover book sitting in the case is called “Lynchburg: An Architectural History” by S. Allen Chambers. It’s 600 pages of black and white photos depicting various buildings around the Hill City.
The book, out of print for more than 25 years, is one of the most sought-after Lynchburg books for area collectors.
“Often books about a local person or local place can sell in quite respectable numbers in that area,” said Richard Davies of Abebooks.com
Walt Carey, the owner of Bookshop on the Avenue, said the cover of his copy of “Lynchburg: An Architectural History” has some damage, but, for the most part, it’s intact. To take the book home, it will cost you $150. That’s a low price. On Amazon.com, the same book is listed for more than $300.
In recent years, Chuck Cole, a manager at Givens Books and Little Dickens on Lakeside Drive, said out of print books relating to Lynchburg have been hot.
“Lynchburg books are highly collectable,” Cole said.
Cole cited “The Vanishing Virginian” by Rebecca Yancey Williams and “Torn Land” by Paige Simpson as books locals want to buy. Also, Lynchburgers want anything printed by J.P. Bell, a local publisher who printed novels and other non-fiction books.
But, by far one of the most highly prized Lynchburg books is “Lynchburg: An Architectural History.”
Ed Hopkins, owner of Inklings Bookshop, said he hasn’t had a copy of “Lynchburg: An Architectural History” for a long time.
“People ask for it all the time,” Hopkins said.
In 1982, the University of Virginia Press printed “Lynchburg: An Architectural History.” According to Brenda Fitzgerald, a customer service representative from the University of Virginia Press, the book finished it printing later in the year, and has since never been reprinted.
She cited the cost of printing a “huge book” as the reason there’s never been a reprint. Also, outside of the Lynchburg area, there’s little demand for it.
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