Books & Mortar: Illustrated Celebration of Independent Bookstores - Hardcover
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A Visual Tribute to Independent Bookstores
Books & Mortar presents 68 original oil paintings by illustrator Gibbs M. Smith, capturing the unique character and charm of independent bookstores across the globe. This hardcover collection serves as both an art book and a documentary of literary culture, preserving the storefronts of beloved local bookshops at a specific moment in time.
What's Inside
Each painting pairs detailed storefront artwork with personal anecdotes about the shops and reflections from the booksellers themselves. The book offers an intimate look at the people and places that form the backbone of independent bookselling, told through the voices of owners who have dedicated their lives to connecting readers with books.
The local bookstore represents more than a retail space—it's a place of wonder, refuge, and rejuvenation for book lovers worldwide. This collection celebrates these literary strongholds and the communities they serve.
Format and Presentation
Presented as a hardcover coffee table book, Books & Mortar combines fine art with literary appreciation. The oil paintings showcase architectural details, window displays, and the distinctive character that makes each bookstore unique. The accompanying text provides context and personal stories that bring each location to life.
The Perfect Gift
This book makes an ideal gift for avid readers, bookstore owners, bibliophiles, and anyone who values independent retail and literary culture. It serves as both inspiration and keepsake—a tribute to the enduring appeal of physical bookstores in an increasingly digital world.
About the Artist
Gibbs M. Smith founded his eponymous book publishing company in 1969 with his wife, Catherine, in Santa Barbara, California. After three years, they moved the company to Layton, Utah. Gibbs served as president, committed to the daily operations of the business for forty-eight years, until his death in 2017. This book is a celebration of Gibbs' legacy, the local bookstores that he loved, and fifty years of Gibbs Smith as an independent publisher.
Contributor(s)
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