Black & Wise Bibliophiles
Location
#10 Charles St, Beacon Hill
Black & Wise Bibliophiles are located in a narrow three story 19th century neo-Gothic black-brick building located between Santander's Bank and Grogan & Company auction-house.
Exterior
The "Black Building" which lends it's name to "Black & Wise Bibliophiles" is a three story German neo-Gothic building built of black-glazed brick with white terracotta friezes between floors.
A gate of wrought-iron leads to a set of dark brick steps guarded on either side by a pair of aging -green bronze Qalupalik of Inuit mythology.
The main door of is of good stout New England Oak carved in the Greek revival style and pained azure blue. The brass knocker is shaped like a pair of mated Narwhal. And above the door is the faded family crest of the Blacke family of Boston whaling fame.
All windows are of green mullioned glass covered by dark oak shutters (which are always closed) and guarded by wrought iron window-bars shaped like the hydras of myth.
Interior
If the exterior is somewhat somber, the interior is dim, but austere in it's plainness, save for the furnishings of the grotesque style that seem to leer and mock those who visit the establishment lit only by low wattage bulbs.
The air of the shop is redolent with the smell of old books, dust and a curious incense burned by the proprietor in censers shaped to resemble rare sea creatures.
Except for a centuries old walnut desk, the most notable furnishings are the floor to ceiling bookcases of varnished pine.
In the foyer, there is a spiral wrought-iron staircase shaped like a gyre with countless sea creatures forming the railing as well as the support structure. In this way one can reach the upper floors and their collections of rare books.
However upon the main floor there is only one room, the gallery is both office and library for "Black & Wise Bibliophiles." From this one room mechanical ladders allow the staff to reach all three of the floors above, making the gallery very tall and narrow - which gives visitors the impression they are at the bottom of a dark aquarium.
A Short History
Proprietor
