"Lord!
When you sell a man a book you don't sell just twelve ounces of paper
and
ink and glue -- you sell him a whole new life. Love and friendship
and humour
and ships at sea by night -- there's all heaven and
earth in a book, a real book."
Christopher
Morley
We opened the doors of Main Street Fine Books & Manuscripts in 1991, in a small storefront across the street from the hotel where Lincoln delivered a speech in 1856. The shelves were loosely packed, with more than a few books displayed sideways to take up space and, we hoped, fool the eye. Books beget books, however, and soon we were on the lookout for larger quarters.
Since 1994 MSFB has occupied a three-story 1848 brick beauty in historic Galena, a logical home for two English majors with a love for old paper in all of its manifestations. We buy and sell good books in good condition, in subjects that interest us and, hopefully, all the good and interested people that return to the shop year after year.
Why Main Street Fine Books? Have we no imagination? Oddly enough, the store name was chosen years before we settled in beautiful Galena, while we were building up inventory for a store that would specialize in all things American. Sinclair Lewis came to mind. Get it? And so, though a bit chagrined to have landed on an actual street called Main, we can't help but appreciate the landscape and pace that drew us to this little corner of Illinois in the first place.
Stop by to visit when you're next about. We have over 30,000 books on our shelves and a vast array of autographs on display -- you're sure to find something that piques your interest.
Bill & Yolanda Butts
Shop HoursDaily 10am - 5pm (4pm Sunday)
Closed Tuesday
Elected members of the
Members of these organizations must adhere to a strict code of ethics whose bottom line is professional conduct in
the marketplace. When you do business with ABAA or PADA dealers, you
can buy with confidence.
Other memberships:
Galena made its fortune from mining in the early to mid-1800s, thriving and growing into a major steamboating port while Chicago was still largely swampland. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has placed the town on its list of "America's Dozen Distinctive Destinations," in recognition of its abundance of pre-Civil War architecture. Galena is also famous as the adopted hometown of U.S. Grant and for having contributed nine generals to the Union cause. Museums, art galleries and specialty shops (including a great book store!) line the charming downtown shopping district. Want to know more? Here are a couple of places to start:
