THE STYLE
Nick Harvill Libraries assembles book collections as interesting to contemplate and read as they are to appreciate for their decorative exteriors. We avoid the "books by the yard" approach, believing that its suggestion of style will be quickly contradicted by a passing glance at the books' titles. Carefully selected books arranged around a theme, idea, or personality will not only decorate a living space, they will give it the ambiance of a lived-in home, second only to a golden retriever or a display of family photographs.
With those ideals in mind, Nick Harvill Libraries works with clients and their interior designers to formulate libraries based the upon clients' interests. We also create libraries on a singular topic, historical period, or movement.
Inherent in selecting a theme is the issue of whether the library should consist of antiquarian leather-bound books or modern books with dust jackets. We adore the potpourri of colors found in a library of 20th Century books. Yet, we also understand that some projects lend themselves to a more traditional tone. For the latter, we might suggest Life in the English Country House or the Grand Tour in the 19th Century.
THE SUBSTANCE
Beyond theme, the other basic components of a library are budget and scope. Its size could be as few as forty volumes or as many as ten thousand. It might be a collector's showpiece, consisting entirely of first editions and signed copies. Or, a reading library is often just as appropriate, containing as many later printings as first editions. In either case, we have extensive experience in screening out the also-rans and more common books that do not belong in a collection.
Look for Nick Harvill Libraries selections at retail locations in Los Angeles. Also, we specialize in suggesting out-of-print books that make one-of-a-kind gifts. Call or email us to find out more.
THE PROPRIETOR
Nick Harvill's interest in books began early in life and blossomed into a career when he became Gallery Director for Manhattan bookstore and literary salon Stubbs Books & Prints, which Brooke Astor named as her favorite shop in a New York Magazine profile. Following several years at Stubbs, he became administrator for one of the world's most prominent private libraries, dispersed across four countries on two continents and including collections at Sutton Place, J. Paul Getty's former estate outside of London, and at Yale University's Beinecke Library.
