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The Municipal Arts Society is moving to a new location later this month, and its bookstore Urban Center Books is having a large sale until Jan. 23, 2010. The good news is that much of their stock is down 40% from the cover price. The bad news for New York is that one of our best architecturally-curated bookstores is closing (even if only temporarily). The MAS site states the new store should be open by Fall 2010.

One of the more quirky books we purchased while visiting the sale this weekend was “New York City Museum of Complaint – Municipal Collection 1751-1969″. Here is some of the info on this book from the publisher Steidl Miles:

“The New York City Museum of Complaint is a collection of 132 letters written to the Mayor of New York between 1751 and 1969. Selected from the municipal archives and presented chronologically, the letters address a range of issues from dead animals in the street to swindles, capitalism, and corruption. From civil rights, adventuresses, bad luck, and broken hearts to noise and other people. These are the communiqués of dissatisfaction over the course of a city’s evolution.

The strength of this collection lies in its striking ability to capture the spirit of the city as defined by its critics and crusaders. New York City has long been perceived as a place where personal expression flourishes. These civic documents are historical embodiments of the language, wit and energy that helped forge the City’s reputation. From the passionate defense of street musicians to dedicated battles with drycleaners, police officers, pushcart peddlers and hooligans, a chorus emerges that articulates the challenges and inherent absurdity of metropolitan life.”

by Matthew Bakkom
Steidl Miles
ISBN: 978-3-86521-745-5
Publication date: August 2009

This is an entry from Dec. 9th, 1891 in the book “Museum of Complaint”
“Mayor Grant
Dear Sir,
I write you to ask you if you will kindly send me a medal that will entitle me to protect abuse of my fellow creatures that I come in contact with from day to day – it is not long since I saw an officer dragging a drunken woman by her hair. I got out of a street car to protect her. I spoke kindly to her; and told the officer that she was going into the ‘tremens.’ That he should be kind to her, & see that she was taken to an hospital. Tears came into the poor creatures eyes, and she said “God bless you marm”! I have always been the friend of the oppressed, and I ask this medal in remembrance of the work I have done for the past twenty years in this city & State, without remuneration. Enclosed find synopsis & notices of my work.

With all good wishes, –
I am Very Respectfully Linda Gilbert,
Prisoner’s Friend.

P.S.
Be assured Sir the ‘privilege’ I ask, if granted, never, in any way, be misused.
L.G.”

Here is another written on March 2, 1914 re-linked from the publishers page.

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