posted 02-01-2012 12:25 AM            

I am off to Paris next week and on this trip I will be shopping for reference books on European silver. I see a book fair listed from Feb 2-12, and am wondering what some of the other booksellers that may have reference works might be located?

I am not going to ask about shops that sell under priced silver, as like in any big, sophisticated city, they are scarce.

And taking my own advice, I will visit pawn shops, and coin shops. Who knows..

posted 02-01-2012 05:01 PM            

Thanks for the information.

Yes..! As usual, I will shop at the Louvre and the bookstores at the M de Louvre close by for reference books I don't have or have not been able to get through Amazon.

The info on the silver dealers will be used. Thanks for the pawn shop and coin dealer info. I fully do not think that I will be adding anything to my accumulation, as big city folk tend to add an extra zero on the price, and they probably like figural silver more than I do.

Merci

posted 02-01-2012 08:24 PM            

Since you have specific books you’re looking for, here is my best recommendation. There is a fine and decorative arts bookstore in the Passage Jouffroy, one of the charming mid-19thC covered arcades or shopping galleries in Paris. I have bought all 3 volumes of Arminjon there at a reasonable price. The owner has a special fondness for silver, so keeps a good stock of recent publications as well as out-of-print items. If you go, don’t overlook the bargain bins outside. The shop opens in the afternoons, and is closed on Sundays.

posted 05-06-2012 06:49 PM            

Paris is my favorite European city, and this time was no different. The food, museums, architecture, people (and their dogs) are magnafique'.

Two situations were present that put me out of sorts..
#1. The number of vacant stores, including Antiques shops.
#2. The coldest weather I have ever experienced in Paris.

Considering what the economy is, more than 60% of the shops at the "Muse de Louvre", across the street from the "Louvre" itself, were empty. And, we saw a number of "Antiques shops selling new merchandise.

The flea markets were kind of open, but silver was sparse, and expensive. Not unusual for any metropolis like New York, Tokyo, or Chicago. I had a conversation with a few of the silver dealers, and like me, they were making 90% of their income from scrap. Anything made in the U.S. had nutty prices, like 600 Euros for a 8" x 10" Gorham sterling picture frame without a back or glass. I was able to repatriate a Gorham bust jelly server, but not cheaply. And since it looked "airplane" dangerous, I shipped it home.. Only 14 Euros.

Never again to Paris or Europe for that matter in early February.. Mid 20's at night, sunshine and lower 30's and breezy during the day. A Good thing.. there were no museum lines except at the D'orsay, where it was a 45 minute wait amongst the staues.. (ya, I know.. to cheap to buy a pass).

Next time to Europe will be in early to mid March. 10 degrees (f) warmer.

I made a list of books to bring home, and lost it somewhere. Makes more sense to get books sent, vs buying and carrying home.

The good thing about a city with excellent public transportation, is you do not have to rent a car, and being a vacation,
you can eat what you want, and none of the calories count.