BERNARDSTON — Locals interested in antique books are in luck. They’ll be the focus of a Bernardston Historical Society program led by Boston’s Brattle Book Shop owner and Antiques Roadshow appraiser Ken Gloss.
Gloss will discuss the value of old and rare books, the history of his book shop stretching back to the early 1800s, his favorite finds as a book seller and the guidelines for starting an antique book collection, according to the Historical Society. Additionally, Gloss will offer free book appraisals for guests.
The free program will be held Nov. 7 at 6 p.m. at the Bernardston Senior Center, in the fully accessible Powers Institute at 20 Church St.
Raymond Johnson, a member of the Historical Society’s program committee, said he first met Gloss in Marlborough, where Johnson grew up and has been president of the Friends of the Marlborough Public Library for 46 years.
“We had him a couple of years ago and I was just so impressed by him,” Johnson said. “He’s very entertaining and very informative, and he certainly knows all about old and rare books.”
Gloss recently presented again in Marlborough before a full house, and Johnson wanted to bring his expertise to Bernardston.
“I’m sure there’s a lot of people who have old and rare books, or have an interest in them,” he said. “We’re hoping people will come to find more information about the value of them.”
Gloss became the sole proprietor of the Brattle Book Shop in 1985, succeeding his father, George Gloss. He chose to pursue the book business instead of a doctorate in chemistry.
“I found that books were in my blood and that I would never be really happy if I abandoned the business,” Gloss is quoted as saying in a press statement, recounting how he worked in the store since childhood.
The Brattle Book Shop is one of America’s oldest and largest antiquarian book stores, having received several “Best of Boston” awards for Best Book Shop and Best Antiquarian Book Shop, according to the event’s organizers.
During his presentation, Gloss will recount his favorite finds as shop owner and “the joys of the hunt,” the release states, as well as explain what makes a book increase in value.
A question and answer session is scheduled to conclude the presentation, after which Gloss will give oral appraisals of books. Guests are allowed to bring up to three books each.
For further information, contact Johnson by phone at 413-648-9663 or by email at rajohnson736@gmail.com.