Kaleidoscope Books and Collectibles

I recently went to Kaleidoscope Books and owner Jeffery has been running it for 26 years now. He has a lot of knowledge of the collectible items that he sells and is friendly. I especially loved his selection including Evergreen magazines filled with Beat writers work from the late 1950s to 1970s in mint condition. He had a 1958 first edition of «Dharma Bums» by Jack Kerouac on hand and loads of Charles Bukowski. One thing that especially caught my eye was an original concert poster of «Free John Sinclair» with MC5 and Iggy Pop and the Stooges headlining as well as featuring of a slew of other musicians including Bob Seger. Don’t miss this shop!

This place is wonderful. Bursting with artifacts from the last three hundred years, you may not find what you’re looking for, but you’ll find something else, or more likely, several rewarding alternatives. As you’d expect, there are books on a variety of subjects, but there’s also a mix of antique postcards, posters, brochures, and memorabilia from all over the world. Not everything is accessibly priced, but it’s definitely fun to dig through the mounds for items you’re not going to find elsewhere. Can’t wait to make it through the basement after my next pay period. I’ve been all over the world and– besides exceptions in Prague and Berlin– there’s really nothing like this left. Certainly not in the United States. Makes me glad to be living in Ann Arbor.

I didn’t intend to write a review, but when I saw someone write that the owner was a helicopter I had to laugh and want to say, «He wants to help!» There is SO much in this store and he asks what you want to pay. He knows how busy people are and he wants to make buying something easier. Since he does know where to look.
I’ve seen him give people excellent deals on books he could keep and sell at book shows. Because he is so knowledgeable he shares his wisdom. It’s good to listen. I’ve learned a tremendous amount of things about books and authors from Jeff.
My advice. Go in, wander, enjoy the peace and the variety of selection.
Many people say, «I don’t have time right now, I’ll come back when I can really dig and find some treasures.»
Treasures. Books. Old books. First editions. Who could ask for more.
Jeff has been in business a long time. He gives to the community. You should hear him sing!

I have always been impressed with the books and oddments in the shop. What I have long ceased to be impressed with is the bookseller. He is a «helicopter» bookseller. He wants to know what I’m looking for so he can show me how knowledgeable he is about everything. If I tell him I’m just browsing he doesn’t let me browse until or unless someone else comes into the shop — he is incessant and pompous. As an introverted person who loves to peruse dusty quiet bookstores, I have never felt comfortable here.
Today was my last attempt to enjoy this shop; maybe someday the guy will sell to someone who is more interested in his customers than he is in demonstrating his own narcissism.

I was nervous to walk in at first because there were books EVERYWHERE and it looked a little overwhelming. But, as soon as I walked in the door I was greeted and asked, «So what are you looking for today?» I told him I was looking for some Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland books or maybe a Chuck Palahniuk book. He was extremely knowledgeable in Alice in Wonderland collectors and navigated around what I would call an organized mess to show me everything he had. They have some very rare books as well as some newer ones (take Diary: A Novel by Chuck Palahniuk for example). It was such a great experience that I can’t wait to visit again and see what other treasures they’ve received.

Scammer, scammer, scammer.
Went in to the store on a hot day, I was a little exhausted and out-​of-​sorts. I was trying to find particular books by a particular author from a particular book series written by several ghost authors. Maybe I get what I deserve for not doing my research first and being dumb enough to buy anything at a store that is «ALL SALES FINAL». He gave me exactly what I didn’t want. I’m pretty sure he knows what he did, he was playing a kind of shell game with me, guiding me toward some books and away from others. I do think he knows his stuff and took advantage of my apparent stupidity. Well, stupid is as stupid does, and having bought anything in his store, I qualify.

The perfect combination of Antiques Roadshow and Hoarders.
Now, I’m going to attempt to describe the place in more detail, but the above statement pretty much sums up the long and short of it.
From the moment you open the door you see stacks on stacks on stacks of books, magazines and newspapers just waiting to crush a curious you, while trying to maneuver the piles in the midst of so much peril.
They have newspapers from when JFK was shot, a small but memorable erotic section that leads to an old library card catalog full of vintage postcards and incredibly dated segregation-​era Valentines Day cards that say things like ‘Sho honey, ahs yo Valentine’. There are a few glass cases sort of in the middle of the store with old toys and collectables, posters dating back to the 30s and 40s and that old book smell that makes you think the pages have been fingered by likes of a thousand men, also known as book bukkake… and then, after your first 2 hours just trying to walk the length of the store without getting distracted by one of the infinite items that could very well be semi-​buried treasure, you hear another veteran patron ask ‘Is the basement open?’… what? You mean there’s more?! In short, yes.
We asked what was in the basement as we only had a bout a day and a half to spend in Ann Arbor and we’d already used about 15 hours (give or take) thumbing through just one of the back card catalogs. The gentlemen working said replied to our question with: «Everything you could ever imagine.» And another shopper seconded him. After that, we decided we NEEDED to check it out and see for ourselves.
It was hard to create expectations based on the description, but my best bet for describing the basement would be to reference that scene in the Labyrinth where Sarah meets the Junk Lady after eating that psychedelic peach and dirty dancing with David Bowie’s codpiece… and sees all her old shit in piles in the junk yard that looks vaguely reminiscent of here room (and my life). Anyway, that’s almost *exactly* what this basement was like. All my broken ninja turtles and crazy one-​off 80s toys with failed characters, my littlest pet shop vet fold up house, my purple bean bag with a hair dye stain, and my Matchbox 20 poster with a million kiss marks on Rob Thomas’ face. It all lives here… along with a few items from other people’s past like smutty Marilyn Monroe pics, old Hustler and Playboys, genuine Jimi Hendrix-​era memoribilia and even toys that date back to the early part of the 20^th century.
Do the time warp; hit up Kaleidoscope.

Have not been to new location yet. I remember Jeff stating he may move. Glad to see he is still in A2. Will likely visit this weekend. Old store was fantastic! Never knew what treasures you may uncover.

Not only is this a wonderful store, the owner is incredibly knowledgeable about all sorts of stuff. I don’t want to set him up here as an appraiser, but I’ve shown him things we’ve dug up on our property (a strange marble, a copper keepsake) and he has known exactly what they are and approximate date of manufacture, plus the historical context. If you point at just about anything he has in the store, he’ll give you enough history to turn it from «cool» to «special.»
At any rate, I have never casually walked into this store without being stuck there for at least a half hour, with or without his helpful commentary. There is no end to the «stuff» and if you’re into vintage, especially 2D things, you will love it and you’ll drop in whenever you’re in the neighborhood.
I consider this place to be «local institution» status. There’s nothing else like it for many miles around.

Kaleidosocope’s new location is refreshing compared to their old one. On State St, you had to peer into dark windows and the inside browsing was cumbersome but much like deep sea diving — you’re uncovering treasures at every turn.
I’m in love with the new Kerrytown set up. The window displays hit more light and instead of a creepy Flowers in the Attic aura, you are able to see the incredible items ranging from 1^st edition books to a vintage Speedy Gonzales figurine.
Today, when I saw «The Dot and the Line» 1^st edition hardcover in the window, I had to go in and buy it. I didn’t realize that the owner was on his way out the door, but he was more than happy to let us in to make that purchase. He told us that he had some prints that were a couple hundred years old but was selling for $ 10 — they were gorgeous. He also said he specializes in children’s and science fiction books. It’s pigeonholing him to say that, though, because there are relics all over that store. Pulp Fiction, vintage Vogues, old school toys, games, figurines — I could spend hours in there.