- Rare bookstores are the exception; their numbers are dwindling steadily.
In numerous parts of Germany, including Thuringia, veteran bookstores specializing in vintage and often expensive tomes are decreasing at an alarming rate. According to Norbert Munsch, the chief executive of the German Antiquarian Booksellers Association, this trend is particularly evident in brick-and-mortar establishments, which are seeing a substantial decline in numbers.
The climbing cost of rent in urban areas is making it increasingly challenging for dealers to keep their businesses profitable. As a consequence, several shop owners have transitioned to internet sales, which offer a vast market but can also intensify competition due to its global reach and non-geographical limitations.
Björn Biester, a spokesperson for the German Publishers and Booksellers Association, admits there isn't any reliable data on the number of antiquarian bookstores in Thuringia. Although mid-sized cities, with their reasonable rents, provide favorable conditions, there isn't a significant antiquarian book culture in this region.
Many antiquarian bookstores are small-time operations that find membership in the German Publishers and Booksellers Association unnecessary. These stores are burdened by a multitude of bureaucratic rules, which can be debilitating for small businesses. For instance, books that are centuries old might fall under the Cultural Heritage Protection Act, which restricts the trade of certain culturally significant works and introduces additional red tape.
Pre-ISBN era collectors' items
Prominent online used book platforms rarely pose a threat to antiquarian dealers, asserts Munsch from the German Antiquarian Booksellers Association. The major sales are typically conducted for books printed before the introduction of ISBN numbers, which globally identify books using unique codes. Today, rare and expensive books dominate sales. Their evaluation requires the antiquarian's expertise, an aspect online offers cannot fulfill.
Some of the surveyed antiquarian book dealers believe that affordable used books will continue to be an integral component of their offerings. The former captivates passersby with eye-catching displays, inviting customers to visit. Additionally, young students often seek affordable editions of classic literature, potentially discovering the world of literature through the advice of antiquarian booksellers.
"Not exactly on the brink of extinction, but..."
Michael Butter, an antiquarian bookseller in Altenburg, concurs that the niche specialized in vintage books is shrinking. The target market and antiquarian dealers themselves are growing older, with little new interest emerging. Young individuals seldom choose the profession of an antiquarian. Changing book consumption trends are also responsible for a decline in the number of collectors of vintage books and prints.
Despite the dwindling market, an antiquarian bookstore, as a physical location, remains an attraction and an enrichment for any city, explains an antiquarian from Eisenach. Whether tourists or locals, for numerous individuals, perusing through old books is a unique experience. Precious old books can be savored with all five senses, in contrast to online trading, which makes it all the more tragic that many Thuringian cities lack any specialized bookshops that cater to this delightful pastime.
Despite the decline in brick-and-mortar antiquarian bookstores in Germany, The Netherlands seems to be maintaining a healthy market for vintage books.
In contrast to the situation in Thuringia, The Netherlands has a rich antiquarian book culture that attracts tourists and locals alike, offering a unique experience of perusing through old books.
