Paragon Book Gallery - Chicago

Paragon Book Gallery - Chicago

Paragon Book Gallery at 1507 South Michigan Avenue just south of downtown Chicago is a paradise for Asian Art lovers.  Hidden in a non-descript building with no storefront windows, you need to be buzzed into the store.  Once inside it's like a warehouse filled with books on Asian Art and related topics. Slightly musty with the smell of old books, the ceiling is at least 14 feet high and the space is filled with rows of bookshelves filled with new and used books.  Under various owners, the original 1942 store opened in Shanghai before moving to Manhattan in 1948 and finally landing in Chicago in 1991.
 

Symbolism in Korean Ink Brush Painting

Hard to find books can be found here and their on-line catalog is astounding. Each book coming into the store seems to be photographed and cataloged.  You can search their catalog by country and then refine it by  category. 

I spent an entire afternoon there drooling over books of every kind.  If Asian Art interests you, then check out their web site and sign up for their email notifications of sales and new publications.  Paragon Book Gallery has the most comprehensive source of Asian Art books I have ever seen.

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