Market Your Book on Manhattan's Museum Mile

>book buyer at the National Academy of Design,
We tend to think of books in museum shops asthe two are “radically different.” “I answer
only art books and monographs. A visit tothis question several times a day,” he says.
Manhattan’s Miracle Mile on Fifth AvenueThe Cooper-Hewitt is applied design, he explains,
between 82nd and 105th Streets proveswhile the National Academy, which was founded in
otherwise.1825, follows a “traditional definition”
The charming museum shop at el Museo del— drawings, paintings, sculpture, etchings,
Barrio, 1230 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10029architecture. The Academy also focuses on its
at 104th Street carries fiction and non-fiction by2100-member artists and architects - past and
and about Latinos. The adult books are in Englishpresent. Small press, self-publishers and overseas
or Spanish and many of the children’spress are welcome to submit books. “We tend
books are bi-lingual. Approximately 30% ofto focus on books that are not found elsewhere.
merchandise is books under headings such asThat’s why we have small publishers.”
Latino Interest, Puerto Rico, Women’sJohn adds that while monographs are plentiful,
Studies, Spirituality, Cookbooks, and Music.biographies of members are especially needed.
Museum shop manager Ilana Stollman acceptsYou’ll find a list of them at
books from all publishers. She has little experienceAt Cooper-Hewitt’s gift shop, there are
with self-published books but is not averse tobooks ranging from etchings of the 16th century
stocking them. Send her review copy or bookto modern day design — be it textiles,
catalogue. 212-831-7272, x130.table settings or castles. Moreover, unique book
The Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifthjackets are always welcome. According to the
Ave, New York, NY 10029 (212-534-1672) issalesman, “The subject of the book
between 103rd and 104th Streets, three blocksdoesn’t matter if it has an unusual design
north of Mt. Sinai Hospital. The museum shop isconcept.” These include children’s pop-up
about 98% books, covering the five boroughs,books and padded book jackets. A
although children’s books include morenon-three-dimensional book has the text beginning
general topics. A lot of the books are oversizedon the front cover. Self-published and small press
and there are no guidebooks.accepted. The book buyer is Chris Masaoay.
The Cooper Shop at the Jewish Museum, 1 East(212-849-8355).
92nd Street, (212-423-3211) has a host of booksThe museum shop at the Guggenheim Museum,
on Judaism. You must send your books to Israel1071 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10128 (89th
Jaronoski, the book buyer, for him to make aStreet), 212-423-3500, has books on early
decision. I hope you have better luck reaching himEuropean to contemporary artists and architects
than I did (212-423-3312).who are in the permanent collection or have been
The Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt, National Designfeatured in an exhibition at the museum. All books
Museum, 2 East 91 Street, and the Nationalthat fit in this category, regardless of publisher,
Academy of Design, 1083 Fifth Avenue,are considered by book buyer Ed Fuqua. Send to
(212-369-4880) are often confused inhim at 575 Broadway, New York, New York
people’s minds because of the similarity of10012. (212-423-3852).
names. But, according to John M. Ravet, manager