#DTLA love, books edition

I love where I live. Today I popped into the new Arts & Rare Books Annex of The Last Bookstore on my walk home from the YMCA. I immediately was grateful they asked to check my bag, because having a wallet close at hand would have been seriously dangerous.

The Annex is awesome. Thoughtfully displayed with lots of eye candy that is easily accessible for flipping through and admiring. And on this hot, humid afternoon, post-workout, I was grateful for the abundant fans.

Some highlights:

I couldn't NOT pick up this book with an image of my favorite yearly calendar on it! I regularly pickup one of these babies in Chinatown each year. In fact, the the 2015 calendar is Day 31 of my #100DaysStudioObj. Needless to say, I want this book.

Last night I greatly enjoyed the wonderful documentary How to Make a Book with Steidl (watch it!) which featured a lovely scene with Gunther Grass painting the titles of a new edition of this gem of a cover:

There is an extensive rare section behind glass of first editions and signed books of all types. Real treasures. 

I'm always happy to see The Map As Art book in a store, being a fan of maps and so many of the artists and designers featured in it. I own the book and also a piece of artwork featured in it: my absolutely treasured Ed Ruscha, the last map image below:

I'll definitely be back to the Annex many times, with wallet in hand. Kudos to The Last Bookstore on giving these art, design, and rare editions their own space—it's a wonderful spot to linger.

And the back wall of the thrift store art is a great, cheeky touch. Salon style for the win!

 

The Last Bookstore and Arts & Rare Books Annex are located in wonderful downtown Los Angeles:
453 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 488-0599