Explore your city: Downtown Birmingham
Emily Williams
Issue date: 11/7/07 Section: Expressions
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Venturing into downtown Birmingham for the first time, I found myself lost. Being from a small town in Mississippi, I am accustomed to a downtown composed of one street - Main Street. I had trouble navigating downtown Birmingham's avenues, boulevards and one-way streets. After 30 minutes of aimless driving, I decided to park my car and start exploring.
Walking along Third Avenue North, I stumbled into Reed's Books and Museum of Fond Memories. Immediately upon entering the tranquil yet engaging atmosphere enticed me to stay.
At first glance, I observed the names of great, influential authors that appeared on the spines of the vast antique book collection. Noticing my indecision on where to begin browsing, store owner, Jim Reed, greeted me.
"These books come from all over the world," Reed said. "If there is anything you want, any edition of any book, I can find it for you. I am a bounty hunter. This is what I've been doing for over 27 years."
I was not looking for anything in particular, but Reed was quite personable and directed me to certain books he thought I might like: Dante's "Inferno" and Milton's "Paradise Lost."
Dating from the early 1900s, the books were in large print and contained illustrations by a famous French painter. Reed was selling each book for $25, but he assured me that they were worth far more.
"If you get these books rebound, they would easily be worth $350," Reed said.
As I stood admiring the two books, Reed disappeared and soon returned with another impressive find. In his arms he carried several original pulp fiction magazines from the 1930s. Tarzan and Zorro are two of the classics of this era.
"Pulp fiction magazines are quite rare this day and age," Reed said. "I'm probably one of the few people who still sells these. They are extremely rare and never decrease in value."
Aside from the remarkable compilation of magazines and books, the store is also comprised of vintage sports memorabilia, photographs and posters.