Philip Salmon & Company Rare Books has opened at 607 Boylston Street in Boston, occupying the second-floor space where Bromer Booksellers operated for decades. Co-owner Phil Salmon describes the venture as "a legacy business" where he and his colleagues, all former Bromer employees, are now "the new old kids on the block." The shop aims to maintain Bromer's prestige while experimenting with new materials and arrangements.
The shop's introductory catalog, "The Interaction of Paper," demonstrates this commitment to tradition and innovation. Drawn largely from a private collection, the catalog explores paper engineering as education and entertainment through materials from the 18th through 21st centuries. It features traditional pop-ups and movables for children, peepshows, interactive works for tradespeople, and artist's books. The four-color glossy catalog includes some of the most sought-after material in the genre of sophisticated, colored illustrated books for juvenile audiences, now collected by aficionados. Items range from $50 to mid-four-figures.
"We intend to build on the Bromer reputation for the book beautiful and rare, and expand it to encompass challenging material—particularly relating to the exploration of social justice issues," Salmon says. Other genres available in the walk-in shop and future catalogs include literary first editions, manuscripts and letters, fine printing and artist's books, works by Edward Gorey, and miniature books.
The opening represents a significant development in an industry where most rare book dealers operate exclusively online. "There's no substitute for visiting a shop and being afforded the pleasant experience of physically examining books before making a purchase," Salmon emphasizes. The physical location allows collectors to engage directly with materials in ways digital platforms cannot replicate.
Philip Salmon & Company operates as an open shop with curated inventory, offering appraisals, cataloging services, and collection-development guidance. The shop is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm, with weekend hours available by appointment. The entire stock can be viewed online at https://www.salmonrarebooks.com.
This opening matters because it preserves specialized knowledge and physical access in an increasingly digital marketplace. The continuation of Bromer's legacy ensures that collectors have access to expert guidance and rare materials while supporting the evolution of collecting practices. The shop's focus on social justice issues through challenging material represents an important expansion of what constitutes valuable collectible literature. For the industry, this demonstrates that physical spaces remain relevant when they combine traditional expertise with contemporary relevance, potentially influencing how other dealers approach their business models in changing markets.
