126 RARE BOOKS & MAPS
588 Gedney Street
Offering a selection of hard-to-find books and historical maps, as well as a book-finding service, Rare Books & Maps does not stock contemporary fiction. For most locals, the shop is too expensive and niche, and so, like Hardwicke’s Stamp & Coins (121 HARDWICKE’S STAMPS & COINS ), Edward Tillinghast conducts much of his trade by mail. MU students rarely frequent this place (the prices are too high), though scholars like Edward Pickman Derby (Home of the Derby Family, 818) can sometimes be found in discussion with Tillinghast. Note that Tillinghast has a lively interest in New England and Western European history. He also lives in the apartment above the store.
Entering the store, the books and maps are kept in bookcases and large drawers, all secured by locks. The bookcases have glass-paneled doors, although for the most expensive books the glass is replaced with metal grills. Tillinghast is happy to unlock doors for easier viewing (for serious customers). In some cases, he may insist on the customer wearing white gloves when handling particularly rare, historic, or fragile items.
Original editions of Cotton Mather’s works (including Wonders of the Invisible World) and holographs by Washington, Jefferson, Hamilton, and others are among the many gems of Tillinghast’s collection. In addition, he has numerous 15th–16th century Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish, French, and English sea charts, and Colonial-era coastal sailing guides.
Notable Folk
Edward Tillinghast, 55, is the proprietor and avid collector of rare books and maps. He is a member of the Arkham Historical Society (901) and brother to George Tillinghast (Curios & Antiques, 419), although the two haven’t spoken to each other in years due to a dispute concerning their father’s will.
Alice Ballard, 28, is the housekeeper.
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