This bookstore takes you through a portal into a separate dimension.While browsing the beautiful selection of well-maintained vintage books, maps, manuscripts and other goods, its easy to forget youre in the middle of the concrete jungle of NYC. Traffic and people outside are nearly inaudible and the bookstore inside is very quiet as well, with usually not too many people visiting at once.I spent an hour or two in the basement by myself looking at the vast collection of books covering nearly every genre you could think of.I also experienced a manually operated elevator for the first time here.Plan to spend at least an hour here! Even if youre not a big on books, its worth a visit. The bookstore is truly one of a kind.

The place to be if you love books.

My new favorite book store! The organization isnt perfect, but that just adds to the experience for me. If youre looking for something specific, go ask someone at the front for help, trying to find it on your own is a lost cause. But if youre just looking to get lost in the stacks, this is your spot!! FANTASTIC collection!

Beautiful old books and prints.

Courteous, knowledgeable staff. Remarkable array of collectibles. Many affordable items at arm’s reach, along with the big-buck rarities. Map room (2nd floor) has thousands of loose maps organized by region. Some the framed ones are museum-worthy. Don’t miss the funky elevator ride. Oh, and the outdoor table? $3 poetry.

I could spend all day here ...

Amazing amazing amazing! Love the selection, love the rarities you can find. Tons of wonderful gs to find!!!

Argosy book store is a small book store, but has 2 floors. You can find many selections of old books, which have some great value, as well some newer books.This store is really for the book lover who needs some books for their collection and you can find almost anything on history here.The employees are of great help and they give you any kind of advice. Prices are fair here, depending on your needs.

There may be hundreds of years old bookstores in Persia, Turkey, Egypt, China or some European countries. But on the way to Central Park in Manhattan in the US, Argosy Book Store is a very old bookstore age may be 133! Collected photo from my friend.

An excellent bookstore with texts you may not find at more hip or newer stores. During my visit I was able to find some lesser known work by James Farrell, perhaps not on a readers radars but also a good example of how Argosy will have that text you will probably not find at another shop. Prices arent bad but not necessarily dirt cheap. Still if you love the hard to find book you will most likely be able to afford it. Nice reflective atmosphere inside too with staff working on cataloging books and other literary items. At times I felt like I was in a university library or archive. If you love books you will love Argosy.

Love love love it. Wonderland for people who like vintage books

It has been a while. Prepandemic as you might have guessed, but my love for New York is my escape from a working ranch. My passion is the independent bookstore and my visits to your grand city always brings out my search for them there. This store may seem small, but mighty as I saw it that day. Perfectly bound books in perfectly bound settings and I always search for the signed and rare to my taste. I did come away with a good novel to read even though it was neither signed nor rare. My hopes is that you read this and give the small book store its due because now more than ever they need you, and this is a fine one too. My name is Roger Browning, author of The Reckoning of Rance. Now listed on Amazon.

This is the most amazing bookstore Ive ever seen! I cant wait to go back, the staff was incredibly helpful and knowledgable!

This store smells like old books and if that isnt the best smell in the world, you probably shouldnt be going into this store. Very cute shop, with a TON of books! Be sure to check out even more books in the basement level.

We were looking for Mark Catesby prints, and thanks to a visit to Argosy Book Store while in NY we found them! Laura was incredibly helpful as we sorted through the various prints available. On top of that, our purchase was delivered within days! Once we returned home and had them framed and on the wall, we realized we needed a fifth to complete our collection. We phoned Laura, and within minutes our purchase was complete! While visiting Argosy, we also found a 1964 Stegner; First Edition, Second Issue, which we will be gifting to someone special. Argosy has an incredible collection of antique books, prints and maps to name a few. The staff is very friendly and extremely knowledgable ~ this store is a treasure!

Best place to find rare manuscripts, first editions, and archival documents.

I dont think Im qualified to give an appropriate review if this place, but suffice to say it is beautiful, they have numerous first editions, and they were able to locate a rare book for me within minutes.

I had a wonderful visit here. A kind young man helped me search the catalog and went to the back where he brought back books related to central banking. Another young woman taught me what sites to search online for trustworthy antique books online.

A peaceful intellectual haven in the center of everything

I love the atmosphere in this bookstore! You can find everything here, dont forget to take a lift to the 5th floor!❤️📖

I think this is my favorite bookstore in the city. Make sure you spend time exploring the collection in the basement. It’s huge and comprehensive and any bookstore-lover’s dream! It’s magical.

Very well organized and a must see place if youre in Manhattan.

One of the most amazing bookstore in NYC, youll spend hours losing yourself in this bibliophiles world. Vintage maps, extensive subjects and foreign classics, youll find something special here. Staff members are very nice, wonderful books are sold here.

Argosy is still loads of browsing fun in an unparalleled atmosphere. Dont miss the map room.

Staff was extremely condescending and rude. Id rather not share specifics of my experience because many of the details are very personal. If you share your email I will contact you directly.

My favorite book store of all time. I live near by and frequent it all the time. I’ve picked up so many different books and love them all.

Great for browsing, particularly for prints of all sizes.

Great place to hang out and read some books. Has this old books smell.

Neat store selling used books, vintage maps and photos, and rare publications. Helpful and attentive staff.

I wish I had somebody helping me with more knowledge but the place is lovely

Cool place to check out. Definitely a gem of old New York. The 2nd floor is like time travel. There are 6 floors but only the first two are open to the public.The bookstore is cozy and has a classic atmosphere. I also believe you can donate/sell or request to restore a book (dont take my word for it. Call or email first). The workers are helpful.

If you want to see a treasure trove of rare books, maps and the like. This place is for you! There are six floors of wonders in this building. Its the closest thing to a free museum that I found in the city!

The best, most charming and beautiful

They have a print shop on the second floor that has gorgeous artwork on just about every subject. They can also help you choose custom or recycled framing for your piece.

Super cute bookshop. I stumbled upon it while wandering the mission. I thought they had really good coverage of book genres, non-fiction categories, and authors in general. The prices were a tad too high for me so I didnt purchase anything. But I spent a while looking around and was impressed by the collection of books available for purchase.

Extensive amounts of books with variety, a majority are older books. The staff is incredibly helpful and they know what theyre doing.

A real book store, old time good old book store, with all the charm that comes with it. Loved every minute there, and stayed quite a few...

Friendly, helpful customer service.

Fell in love with the books store and the wonderful 3 ladies running the place

Antique book store

Excellent book store.

An absolute treasure of a bookstore that you must visit if you love books, old maps, or vintage prints.There are also a.lot.of bargain books on the first floor as you enter, and there are boxes of books you can rummage through inside as well. When the weather is nice, there are also racks outside.Argosy isnt huge like The Strand in Union Square but it has an intense charm and an amazingly knowledgeable staff.

Awesome place with great maps!!

We came across this charming bookstore while strolling down Lexington on our way to Bloomingdales. It had a map in the window that showed old Manhattan that drew or eyes. The store is full of fabulous old books, many of them about New York and Manhattan. We spent a pleasant few minutes browsing. Really lovely store.

Small timeless spot in the middle of one of the most modern cities in the world.They’re specialised in fairly old stuff but have a room dedicated to modern fiction as well.If books are your thing this place is definitely worth a stop.

By far, one of the coolest bookstores I’ve ever visited. They’ve got old art/book prints and vintage books all around. HIGHLY recommend you visit this shop!

Great finds! Im excited on my next visit!

For map lovers 💪🏻

One of a kind bookstore with a friendly staff and large selection. I especially love the $3 Hardcovers outdoor bookshelf and rotating outdoor table that is themed every few weeks. Rarely walked past without buying something.

I found this Argosy on a list of must visit bookstores and Im so happy we took the time to go. I wound up purchasing two antique poetry books and they are simply wonderful.

Rare books among rare prints with the best funky old book smells. This place is wonderful if youre trying to find that one off copy of a first edition illustrated copy of whatever youre looking for. There are many fine old posters and pictures from books that are for sale for framing. You could spend two days in here.

Visiting here is an experience that you can’t miss.

Very nice antique book store you can get some nice prints and old books here check them out if you like history.

What a treasure this store is for New York. Over the years Ive bought several gifts for friends and items for my own personal collection. Friendly staff w intimate knowledge of the history of the books they sell. Couldnt ask for better service

This place is awesome! I wandered in here years ago on my lunch break while working in the building. Picked up a bunch of vintage postcards, each being less than $3 a pop. Over the years I would frame them to gift them to friends/family who moved away from home. Theres a lot in there, and I couldnt wrap my mind around it all. In the same building as the Water Grill, right across from Pershing Square.

This store is eclectic with an incredible selection of staff picks, some niche novels and choices, local zines, and NY specific picks. I loved it and I cant wait to return.

Floors of books, ranging from regular used books to rare out of print and antique books. Maps and prints are all available. Fun to browse!

Super cute shop with books and artwork prints/maps. It’s fun to peruse around, or the staff is very helpful. Smells like an old library :)

A tiny little store with a world of treasures inside. A great place to find that one of a kind present. This is a veritable treasure trove of knowledge.

Neat open and charming little bookstore with books to fit about anyones taste. Purchased a workbook on self improvement and transitioning into different life phases for women, something I didnt even know I needed, so definitely this store offers the chance for you to find something to your tastes without having to dig among endless amounts of shelves and books!

What an amazing store! I went in with the kids and they have an unbelievable selection of really old books and prints, and 2nd floor has a stunning set of old maps.The person on the second floor doing maintenance of the books was so nice to the girls, and talked to them about the store and about upkeep of books, it was very touching.

So many new and old collections! My favorite book store!! you can find whatever book you need here!

If you like books, Argosy is a must visit. When you walk in, its like you stepped back in time. So many old and beautiful books to see. You can also find some good deals.

Very cool eclectic bookstore covering wealth of topics. Out of print books and immense volume of paper - advertising, posters, maps, prints, postcards, etc. Significant collection of autographed material also. Mainstream out of print titles in basement level. Paper on 2. Restroom for patrons on 3. Maneuvering levels requires manually operated elevator except for basement

If you have a lot of money, you might be able to afford buying the books sell. Very old fashioned and quaint, but very expensive too. The cheapest books you can buy are in the front of the store, where you can buy used hardcover books for $3 each.

Maybe one of my favorite places to stop when in Manhattan. The autograph room and map room might as well be a museum as much as its a store. As a baseball memorabilia collector Ive had many fine purchases there over the years.The lower cost book selection in the basement is a fun way to spend an hour, and of course the main floor as some of the oldest books you will ever see. Worth stopping in.

One of the bookstores that I always have to visit whenever I am in NY. Great selection of books, friendly staff.

Not your ordinary bookstore ! New York’s oldest founded in 1925. Lots of vintage books, autographed prints and engravings . Organized nicely . I just didn’t find the staff too friendly or helpful. They kind of seemed annoyed you interrupted their work by even setting foot in the place, but it’s definitely worth going to the shelves lined with classics . I just read they had a downstairs. Didn’t know that, so don’t miss out on that .

The best bookstore I have ever been to so far. Excellent map collection as well! Specialises in old/older books.

One of New Yorks gems. I have been shopping here on a regular basis for more than forty years. Old school retail based on honesty, trust, and service. On one occasion I had to insist they take fair payment on a mistake I had made. In all my visits here I have had nothing but the most positive experiences, whether buying or selling books.The staff has always been helpful, informed, and friendly, and the material, be it books or maps, accessible and reasonable.

Old world book store, rate books and pri ts but very affordable. Shades of old London.

This bookstore is filled with a lot of amazing books and the staff is very helpful!

Argosy is a great antique book store! The selection is great and the inside of the store is amazing. It has a great old time look to it. There is a basement with even more books, if you cant find the stairs just ask. There is also a gallery with old prints and paintings, you have to ask to go there.

Pretty good books and the people arenicw

I was blown away by how amazing this place was, I am itching to go back!

A Classic New York City landmark bookshopTake some time to see what a real bookstore looks like!!First additionsAutographsCheap books out frontBest of the bests

Solid well stocked used-book store.

A very nice and rustic bookshop. Old books galore!

Love this place, could spend hours browsing their extensive collection.

Phenomenal collection of books and prints. Easy to linger here for hours.

One of the coolest bookstores I have ever been to and it has so much more than just books! Loved the autographs of different people!

Amazing array of books. This bookstore is full of history and books from all sort of topics. The staff is amazingly nice. A must-see while in NY.

A nice library where to spend some time and look for books. Interesting collection, and very polite and attentive staff.

Great NYC book nook with amazing treasures just waiting to be found

One of the best Book store in Manhattan.If you really love best books editions then this is the place for buying them

Omg I did like this bookstore I saw when I was just passing by.Good to see on timeline so I know name and exact location.Place had good books.

Perhaps this was just my purely foolish mistake, but just to make everyone aware, this is not the kind of bookstore to find cheap used copies of Hemingway, Salinger, or John Irving.....the books here are vintage, collectibles, and priced accordingly. Beautiful shop though

Beautiful book, great finds. Not too expensive for what you are getting. Friendly staff, too!

The oldest independently owned bookshop in the city that deals with antique books, maps and prints! Entering the store, you get more than a whiff of that old book smell - an combination of coffee and chocolate for some, and some hints of vanilla and grass for others. This results from the decomposition of books and other material, of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Great Experience going to this RARE GEM OF LITERARY, PRINT & HISTORICAL Artifacts for the collector in YOU!!ARTIFACTS FROM THE LITERARY WORLD, ENTERTAINMENT= THEATER, CINEMA TECMAPS, ETC... YOULL NEVER WILL GET DISAPPOINTED WHEN YOU VISIT.

A book lovers paradise... And rare books at that. Prepare yourself to spend an hour at the least here!

Amazing book store. Old books, maps, prints, can spend all day here

Great collection of antique books. Will definitely go back to explore the other floors.

Amazing book store. Naomi will make you travel in space and time. Dont miss to pay a visit to Argosy if you happen to be in New York City.

We went today after reading on the website that it had 6 floors! We went in, asked about the other floors and were told that the others floors “had lots in storage, but nothing up there for you!”. We were directed to the 5th floor, begrudgingly, and were told “there’s some books up there”. When we got there, we were greeted by a grumpy voice from the other end of the store yelled: “Are you in the right place?!” and we immediately turned around and left, fearing that we were somewhere we shouldn’t be. The other staff were rude and unhelpful. Seems like, unless you’re a college professor, a student or have the magic password, this bookstore is not for you. I ended up buying a few prints from the rack to frame for my apartment, but overall I was super anxious and did not feel at all welcome. You’re better off down the road at Barnes & Noble...

Incredibly unique vintage book store. Awesome place that has rare documents too!

We went there once in the 1970s when we were young tourists. The people there could not have been more rude. Now we are old and living on Long Island. We have never been back to Argosy and never will. Sometimes there are surprising consequences to ones actions.

Best Bookstore ever!

Old books galore! It is pretty awesome just to come in a browse the inventory. Youll find stuff all the way from the 1800s or even earlier.

Otherworldly gem