Bauman Rare Books

What an incredibly fascinating destination in Las Vegas for bookworms, history buffs, and anyone who appreciates the literary arts.  Though it's not large, Bauman Rare Books houses a thoughtfully curated selection of rare books. My partner and I always include trips to bookstores on our travels and this is one of very few in the Vegas area and one of two (I believe) located on the Strip. Bauman Rare Books is inside The Venetian and was a little tricky navigating to, but we found our way.  I had never used Google Maps inside a building before. Every book is behind glass or has a sign in front of the shelf notifying customers/visitors to ask staff for assistance with viewing the books.  TOTALLY understandable.  This store is located inside of the casino/hotel- teeming with people who are drinking, eating, and shopping.  The group who came in after us had drinks in hand for their brief walk through the store, what a liability! Pamela was so knowledgeable and informative when we asked her different questions about the books found within. In addition to rare books, there are many signed books and documents.  Names/Signatures like Barack Obama, Walt Whitman, Dr. Seuss, and more.

Seeing this eclectic bookstore in the middle of the Palazzo shopping area was a fun surprise. This was an inspiring escape from the otherwise bustling atmosphere.

The contents of the store are fantastic - it's basically a museum. You'll see things here you thought you could only dream about. However, don't expect to be treated like you even exist. There were two individuals working, and neither of them even looked up when anyone entered the store. One of them walked past us in a little hallway and basically bumped us out of the way without saying a word. Great collection, not so great staff.

A place to be explored. Some rare and beautiful quality books. A must see for any book lover or collector or books. A lot of history in this place.

First thing First. Located nearer to The Palazzo then to The Venetian. Take note take note. Up the hotel lobby, 1 level. Walk around and you would see it before you hit the canals. Now IT IS AMAZINGGGG. For someone who loves books, who is a collector of random things, who enjoys the smell of old books, who love you that bit of history...this place is not to be missed. I ended up in this small joint for about 30 to 40mins just browsing and reading the books on display. There are some books you couls ask the store assistance if you could browse and they will help you. I love rare books and this place is a must go!

Beautiful store with wood and glass bookcases. Wonderful collection of well priced books. Kind and well educated staff.

Really cool leather bound books. They had some fascinating biographies, and first edition sets of LOTR and various other classics.

Loved visiting this bookstore. I found a first edition of my favorite book. The staff there is extremely helpful and knowledgeable. If I ever decide to splurge on a first edition, this is where I’m going to go.

Bauman Rare Books is located in The Shoppes at The Palazzo, near the elevator. They're easy to find in front of Bill Mack Gallery. The books are astounding! It's like perusing through a museum. The store has an extraordinary collection of children's books. The first edition of Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery is incredible! There's all kinds of unique collections from autographs and signed books, art, music, travel, history, and photography, the store is exceptionally amazing!

This is located in the Venezian. Do you love books? then this is a must stop in. You walk in and that musty smell of old paper and books hits you. I love that smell of old books! What a treat to walk and explore all these wonderful books that are preserved and they are for sale as well if you are looking for an old first edition. The books are encased in wonderful sophicated wood panel Bookcases and just gives these books the respect they deserve. Such a treat!

Cool place for tourists to explore their pretentious side! I wouldn't try to sell anything here. Main reason: you can't. At least the employees found a niche where they can finally fit in and feel important. It's hard to call them helpful or accommodating, but they're there.

I love searching for book stores wherever I go. This is one of the coolest bookstore I've been too. Inside the Venetian is this great tourist spot. The books here are crazy rare. Want to see a 1st edition Dr Seus book or special edition Harry Potter? This is the place. The staff is friendly. They'll take the time to give you back ground on some of the books as well as point out fascinating things about the author. This place is not cheap. If you can afford those books more power to you. Definitely will be stopping by again when in town.

Walked in to purchase a book, received the best service imaginable, staff was very knowledgeable about all the things in the shop. They have a very extensive collection of things as well

Located in the Palazzo, Bauman Rare Books is fairly straight forward - it is a small bookstore that sells rare books. The selection is extensive covering a wide range of topics - children's books, science, poetry, and a wide range of fiction authors. Some books are behind glass while others are there for you to carefully look through under the careful eye of the helpful bookkeeper. The person running the store was indeed very helpful! He had a great knowledge of the books in inventory from the rarity to how many editions the particular work had. He was enthusiastic without being pushy. Rare books are like fine jewelry - they can be very pricey for the rarest editions. They are also very cool because they are a part of history. These books often aren't selected simply because of age but also because the author is quite well known in literary circles and beyond. Their works have cultural significance and are reflective of the time they were published in. If anything it is a great store to check out and be amazed at the history within those walls.

This rare bookshop in The Venetian was a nice respite from all of the gaudiness that Las Vegas has to offer. As a historian with a strong love of reading, I enjoyed perusing the rare books (loved the Shakespeare 3rd folios!) and chatting with the staff, who are scholars in their own right. This store is an outpost of a larger flagship store on the East Coast. Stop in for a leisurely look at some real literary gems, or maybe make a purchase?!

If you love books, you will love this shop! Highly recommended for the book lover, they have a large selection of rare first editions and signed books. Great place to stop and take a look and take yourself back to a simpler time when reading was what people did. The layout of the store is beautiful, books displayed in cases and on dark wood shelves, a magical place that can transport you to worlds of adventure and excitement, or bring back memories of your childhood. Don't miss it next time you are in Las Vegas

Bauman Rare Books is a book collector's dream! And that's what I do when I come here -- dream! I could never really afford any of these beautiful books, all in excellent condition, some signed by the authors, many first editions. The store doesn't seem to mind window shopping but in a pandemic, they do limit the number of customers inside the store. I'd make an appointment if you're a serious buyer, however. The shop frequently changes out the books on display, and any reader will ooh and aah at the beauties in the window. The price tags will make your eyeballs nearly pop out of your head, though. Most entry level rare books start in the $5,000 range, with some heading north of $250,000! The day we visited, they had some gorgeous Stephen King books on display in the window. It's so fun to see the classic cover art. If I had some serious money to burn, this would be the coolest place to spend it. Alas I do not, so it's back to my Kindle for the night.

Education is the whole system of human training within and without the school house walls, which molds and develops men." William Dubois Flip the cover of that favorite book and learn how and where. Get lost in the pages, let those words consume you and as they spin a web. Let's escape together! In our daily lives we used to be able to handle what they threw our way. After 2020, that escape is looking pretty good. I am going to let you in on a secret. Let's explore how to detach from the virus that is called COVID. No masks or six feet apart, just whatever you can dream. No hating or stress. Grab your favorite snack, cuddle under that fluffy blanket that holds you best, and let all that stress off from the day. When they open. Coming to Vegas, this is a must stop. Everything in this business seems old and dusty like that of one those museums. Look but don't touch. This is definitely the truth, don't touch of course. All the history is entrusted with these first edition books. After one gets past the game of no no, it's no problem. The respect that one has for so many words that changed the lives of the people many times over again. Want to know how the Tennis Court Oath set the French free and gave them liberty. Or those words that Voltaire was able to give to the masses that optimism exists in all the unique ways that life falls. Please discover those true words of Martin Luther King and William Dubois. "Believe in life! Always human beings will live and progress to greater, broader, and fuller life." W.E.B. Dubois. One of the first leaders that got credit for leading the way for black rights with a ballot. Yes voting used to mean something. Crack open some old time history and learn what was important to individuals so long ago. What was their struggle? Are these the same struggles that we are seeking today? We need to put those digital vices down that distract us. "I will not eat them in a house. I will not eat them with a mouse. I will not eat them in a box. I will not eat them with a fox. I will not eat them here or over there. I will not eat them anywhere. I do not like green eggs n ham for Sam I am." Dr. Seuss Remember a time long ago, when you were young. A time when Green Eggs n Ham was important. You wondered how much fun Thing One and Two were to play with. Now that your all grown up, it's over. Life begins anew with one sameness. You are the one that can do anything. Be young and read a classic that your parents read to you. Even if you have no children, and think it's silly. I remember, "Goodnight Moon," and reading it to the twins every night. Do they still have me read, usually no? Every once in awhile crack the cover on your books from your youth. Rediscover what made you; you. Fall in love with the past all over again.

There is a reason certain authors are immortalized in American Literature. The reason great stories became rare collections. The reason storytellers strived to become writers. Because before everything else.There were travelers abroad.Those who traveled for knowledge. Saw a life of diversity as opportunity for adventures. Rather than as a risk of uncertainties.Experiencing life with purposeful passion to share their stories. Bauman Books is a sanctuary of all the mentioned experiences The works of travelers who lived their stories before writing them. They are the rare editions of truthfulness. The unrevised first hand experiences. First editions of genuine perspective and personal opinions. Unaltered to present the authors true voice as it was meant to be told. Exemplifying the free spirited lifestyle of a writer as it was meant to be seen. This place is more than a bookstore. It serves as an archive for the original books of the King authors.

A cool little book store in a mall right off the strip. A nice little change of pace from the madness that is called Las Vegas! There are some first editions here that date back 2 hundred years or more and to see that source first hand is very impressive...just take a look at some of the names on the books and you will be in awe that these rarities still exist :)

For some people who actually buy at this store and want to know it inside out here it is - the staff is not snobbish and friendly. They will talk books, give opinion on value and help you locate something you might be lookin for. I heard some people claim their prices are way above market and I will agree with you here........however, buying through them will be the safest and most secure rare book transaction you can make. They will no make a mistake, you will get the 1st edition you are looking for and you don't have to worry that you got scammed later on. I am willing to pay more than market value knowing what I am getting is 100% the real deal and takes out the equation of being ripped off. I was giving some advice on rare books and not once did any employee pressure me to sell or buy from them. In fact I told a employee there I need an opinion on a book and what they think the value is.......they gave me the info I was missing and it was greatly appreciated. They did not get a "sale" but due to customer service I dropped their names to many people I meet in my travels and a few of them I met later stopped in their store and made a purchase and was happy. TRUST!

I'm a book snob so spotting this shop out of the corner of my eye made me squeal with delight, make a sharp right turn, and head in. This shop is full of beautiful books. Intricately bound, hand carved covers and rare to find first editions. This was a true gem on the Vegas strip and made me want to join the ranks of rare book collectors. Of course, my pocket book can't afford such a luxury but I loved hearing all the talk about how these books were collected and the stories behind them. If you're a book lover, you will appreciate a visit to this shop. This is not your average book store.

Someday I'd like to own a library like this. Bauman Rare Books is flawless in terms of physical appeal. The place is absolutely stunning. I knew I had to step foot inside once I noticed it when we were walking around looking for the cookie store inside the Venetian. I love how classy the Venetian is and Bauman Rare Books offers a very classy bookstore indeed that best suits the hotel. I'm a fan of bookstores in general, though I have to confess I rarely read. Still we were there so we went ahead and checked it out. The place like I said is gorgeous. I picked up my first book, saw the price tag and was like whoa. $2500 for a book. I mean in the future that might sound like something I might buy for the time being, I'll just stick to food. The store itself has a wide range of rare novelty books as well as some must get for collectors. Its quite the spectacle. I'd definitely recommend checking this spot out if you're ever in Vegas. Overall, great atmosphere and awesome bookstore. It gives off this vibe that has me inspired and excited just from stepping foot inside it. Maybe I will finally start on that one book I've been trying to read for a while now. You know, the one with the green eggs. Someday I'll finish it.

I didn't make a purchase but my husband and I stepped in and were wow'd with the assortment of rare books they had! We are huge nerds and love this kind of stuff and were in heaven when we saw all the cool books in their collection. Some were affordable but the jackpot books were definitely out of the price range of an average person. We highly encourage you stop by if you're into old books! The customer service was great and didn't feel at all pretentious!

A great place to window shop. A lot of Ooohs and Ahhhs. Unless you have thousands to blow, you won't be walking out with their collectibles. I did read in one of the reviews on here that the books are overpriced, but I'm not a book collector, so it was just nice to browse the place. The staff is helpful and kind despite the fact that they know you're just window shopping.

"You asked me to sign your book so here is my signature. Best Wishes, Jerome David Salinger" Catcher in the Rye signed copy to his mother in law. $42,000 That's the kind of thing you'll find at this amazing store in Vegas. Located in the heart of the Palazzo, you will find an incredible collection of antique books that you can actually touch. Antique books that were touched by the the authors themselves. Collections and collections of ancient books that would have otherwise been lost under the ruins of time and changes in culture. Rare copies of books written and often signed by presidents. All in a beautiful display for you to look at and even touch. The sales people are not stingy about letting you touch the books. As long as you're gentle. They are very knowledgable about the books and their history and are willing to show you any book and tell you of their history. My favorite find was an illustrated bible centuries old that was illustrated by Ruebens. His method was to hand carve the pictures on wood backwards and then transfer it to paper. Simply stunning. One of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. Exquisite detail. Of course most of these books are $5,000 and up. if I ever win big, the first thing I am going to do is buy a signed copy of Through the Looking Glass. Honestly though, you don't need a book that sits on a shelf when you can go to this store and touch the real thing. Pull yourself away from those slot machines for one hour and visit this exquisite store. I guarantee that you will hit it big at Bauman's Rare Books.

Bauman has hundreds of books and manuscripts for a range of prices. I like to read books rather than collect them, but it was a fun place to stop all the same. I didn't buy anything, but the employees were really nice about taking books out of their glass cases just to satisfy my curiosity. This is the store featured on Pawn Stars occasionally.

This place is beautiful ! I loved looking through the titles and spotting some antique treasures. I think I appreciated , and fell in love with the pictures on the wall more than the books ! There were several hand written and typed letters from Hemingway signed and framed , pictures of the Kennedy's with their children circa 1950's , Ansel Adams , and so much more . You are able to touch some of the books on the shelf, you just need to ask for assistance from The staff. If I weren't so clumsy and awkward I would have done just that.

Love books? You MUST go here even just to window shop. The collection is to be envied by any enthusiast and the consultants are very friendly and approachable. If you're just browsing - no problem - feel free to look as long as you like. For this 5 stars. I only wish it was 5 stories and looked like Belle's library from Beauty and the Beast. (At which point I heave a heavy sigh -- and perhaps drool a little) If you're there to buy and to build your library there's a few things I must mention. First, abandon all hope ye who enter here! You'll want to buy everything in stock! Secondly, the consultants are so friendly and take all the time in the world with you. They get to know you and want to know what kind of library you're planning to build. They'll ship books from other locations (Philadelphia and New York) for you to view and inspect. This customer service and thoroughness is top notch -- BUT because they make you feel very comfortable, this can lull you into complacency and can be quite dangerous to the new buyer! That bring me to my second point -- Know what your buying and what the value is BEFORE you go in! This should be "Large Purchases 101", but it's easy to get carried away and loose sight of the fundamentals. So in summary: - their collections are great! They've been in business for 40 years so they have some experience. - if you're building your library, they'll keep you abreast of the latest arrivals and editions. Which is nice for that one book you can't find anywhere! - they're friendly and welcoming - they'll treat you without judgement and make you feel very comfortable - they are informative and very knowledgeable BUT - know what you want to buy and what your items are worth BEFORE you go in! Prices marked are over priced! So... you must go, but when you do -if you're buying- proceed with caution.

Bauman Rare Books is every bit as cool "in person" as it looks on Pawn Stars! There is an amazing array of rare books on display, from world history, to American politics, to important literary works. I have to disagree with Vanessa M. about the staff. Hubby and I mentioned that our daughter was beginning to collect signed literary editions, and the two employees in the front of the shop both bent over backwards to give us helpful advice and to show us interesting books - even though we had made it clear, right up front, that we weren't going to buy anything.

I'm going to start off by saying that Bauman's is a very cool place. We always make it a point to check out the books in the windows when we are in LV while wishing we could buy, buy, buy. The few times we have interacted with staff, they have been for the most part really nice, save the few who chose to ignore us. The reason for the 3-star review, you ask? Simple. We did once venture to buy a book here. We were green, we were excited to buy our first old, cool book -- we found a title that pulled at our nostalgic heartstrings (and was not going to break the bank). Fast-forward to today and we are shocked to learn just how much we overpaid for this book. Heed the warnings of others who tell you to approach with caution. Definitely do your homework! To get an idea, Bauman's is now "not interested in our book." After having a leading expert (and bookseller) on the author's work tell us that he can offer $100 for a book we paid several times over this amount is disheartening. Other rare booksellers are not interested at all. We know now that Bauman's definitely doesn't want us to know how badly we overpaid hence the lack of interest in what we were told at the time of purchase is a desirable item. While we know that demand has a great impact on what items are worth, we do not think it reasonable for a book like ours to go from a window at Bauman's to basically worthless once it's out the door. Enjoy the books, but definitely think twice before making a purchase.

he rest of the day we did the upper portion of The Strip where all the expensive hotels and of course the European theme. I did the shop browse with the high end store. One of the reasons why I went was to check out Bauman's books which is part rare book store part museum. I was a little sentimental when it came to the first edition of James and The Giant Peach. I actually had a tear in my eye. It's the most un Vegas thing to do....go to a book museum. Peter and I are known to vacation unconventionally outside the mainstream plus we're huge fans of good literature. With the digital age first edition of any books are slowly becoming extinct. The lady at the til was super sweet and nice as she just shot the shit with us about our favorite childhood books.

I will start with a quote from a few other reviewers " Un-freaking-believable. This bookstore is hardcore porn for book and history lovers alike" Now, why the 5 Stars when I will never be able to afford any of the items on display? Because they allow you to see the history of the world for free. The staff has always been more than helpful even if they know you are just sniffing the book covers... Its more than rare books. Its the history of the world, of entertainment and everything else right there for you to look at. Writers signing the inside of a book cover to a dear friend or rival. Some of the writings are hilarious when you think about the time they were written. never knowing their words would be made into a movie a few years later... Books, artifacts, interesting notes and the history of the books and documents. It's all here. Each month is a different theme. One month they had the rarest Bibles. I was allowed to hold one of the oldest known printed bibles. I'm not a religious man, but to think where that book came from, what it took to make it, who held it and the fact that hundreds of years later, it's still here, still readable and in my hands. The last time we were there, there were two teenage kids standing in front of a hand- written copy of the Constitution. They were in awe of it. Sadly they confessed that they had heard of it in school, but were never taught about it. So now they got to read it for real... When one of the staff found out I was a tour director, he took my wife and I into the private library and showed us a map of the United States that was used in the Civil War, complete with troop movement notes and state/confederacy designations.

Way out of my price range but as a bibliophile and science historian, the most interesting store on The Strip. Wish I was one of the high rollers who could afford these leather-clad beauties. I'll have to settle for downloading the pdf's from Google Books.

I don't kid myself. I will never be able to afford a single item in this store. Even if I could afford it, I could never install the right equipment to maintain the artifacts they sell here. To quote two great men (Wayne and Garth, from Aurora, IL) : "We're not worthy!" This store, my friends, collects our history. They have signatures of Abraham Lincoln and FDR gracing the walls. They have first editions of everything - like Cat in the Hat to Tom Jones. They have handcrafted freaking illuminated bibles on sale... you can practically see the priest hovering in candlelight as he scrawls on the parchment paper. Un-freaking-believable. This bookstore is hardcore porn for book and history lovers alike - sorry, just saying it as it is.

This place is "Book Porn" in the strongest sense of the word. I don't mean in some twisted, dirty "Adults Only" sort of way. But if you are a fan of the printed word, this place is worth the visit. It's history, pure and simple. Books date centuries back in this place, and are on display. The service has always been very nice, and they have catalogues that you can take home and browse through the selections offered. Bear in mind, that this is a collector's place. You don't plan to buy these books for cheap (think thousands upon thousands for some of these first editions), and these aren't something one would place on a standard bookshelf and go. I wouldn't even begin to speculate the care needed to display these books, much less a letter from Abraham Lincoln (which they have). Still, it's an amazing place to browse through and see what was. And if you love books, Bauman Rare Books is utterly fascinating.

I stopped in and asked if they had a first edition of Frank Herbert's Dune. They did. Only $9,500! The were even going to let me touch it. I declined. I don't really want to hold a book worth that much, but I did feel a certain reverence in its presence. If you are a book lover, Bauman is an amazing treasure trove of rare and wonderful books. Being able to afford any of them however, is an entirely different matter. To its incredible advantage though, the friendly staff doesn't make you feel like you are too poor to stop in and look and for that reason I highly recommend it.

Beautiful books, lovely staff, and probably one of the most interesting stops you could make while getting your sin on in Vegas. While much of the Strip and its holdings allow you to wander about in a zombie-like haze you may want to slap yourself out of your drunken stupor to take in some rare book action. Although the prices alone may act like a shot of adrenaline straight to your heart. Jaq G. was the kind salesperson who assisted me looking for a Disney Bambi sketchbook and while they didn't have it in stock, he did whip out their Art of Fantasia book and let me peruse. (Signed by Walt Disney himself - SWEET CRACKER SAMMICHES!!) He went through their inventory and found an exquisite pre-production sketch from Fantasia, he even offered to have it sent from Philadelphia so I could examine it in person. Superb customer service but these prices are outta my league at the moment. FYI: prices are high because they specialize in first-editions, rare items, and signed books. ::sigh:: The staff couldn't be sweeter, not to mention knowledgeable (if they don't have/know it, they will look it up). I'm definitely putting it on my list if I find myself in Vegas again.

In a tacky, vacuous, soul-sucking wasteland like Las Vegas that launches an all-out assault on every redeeming sense of taste a human can possibly cultivate, it is refreshing in ways I cannot describe to stumble upon an oasis of calm reflection, serene beauty, and quiet respect for knowledge and art such as this establishment. Some of their more common texts are listed at a hefty markup from usual retail prices, but I have no frame of reference for pricing on many of their truly rare finds. The condition of these pieces is almost universally eye-popping, with clean sharp edges, tight crisp spines, glittering leafing, pronounced raised bands, perfectly preserved plates, and generally miles above what one may find on Abe or (god forbid) Amazon Marketplace. Then there is how friendly, knowledgeable, and accommodating the staff are. I fell happily into a book nerd conversation with Greg and by the time I wandered out I think my wife was asleep on a Palazzo couch. I am very impressed with this business, and not only will be back, I can't *wait* to come back.

I live in the bay area and wanted to buy my client a thank you gift. I called and spoke with Mary. She did some research on my client and emailed me some suggestions. I called back and spoke with another gentlemen who helped me finalize my purchase. I am not a rare book person so I was out of element. They made the process so easy and walked me through it. My client was amazed by the rare book I got him. He said he had always wanted that book. (He had read other copies of it and even taught a class on it at Stanford). Seeing his happiness made it worth wild. THANK YOU MARY OLSSON AND BAUMAN RARE BOOKS.

What an amazing shop...!!! For book collectors this is a must see while in Las Vegas. .... They have an incredible array of collectible rare books and ephemora...the prices reflect the rarity and quality of their inventory so be prepared... but at the same time the staff was patient yet attentive while we browsed. ..we also got to see the lady who appears on 'Pawn Stars' to assess books that are brought in...really a special store to behold!

I had an amazing time at Bauman's during a recent trip to Vegas. My friend and I dropped by on a Friday night and were some of the only folks in the store, and the employee was super nice. She offered to let us see anything, including in the glass case, and she said we could take as many pictures as we wanted. Try THAT in a museum! This may seem obvious, but as wonderful as the books in the glass cases are, there's also lots of gems in the main shelves--and all of them have an info sheet tucked against the inside cover/endpaper, much like the display copies in the case. Hint for folks taking a cab and visiting this location only for Bauman's: Tell your cab driver to take you to Barney's New York at The Shops at the Palazzo. Walk through Barney's, take a left out of Barney's, and Bauman's is just a short walk down the hall past 7 for All Mankind.

What a pretentious snobbery shop. I called today to talk to them about a possibly one of a kind signed edition of Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens by JM Barrie and with illustrations by Arthur Rackham. In short, the woman I spoke to on the phone implied that my edition was nothing special before asking what exactly I wanted. I understand that they must get flooded with similar calls and can not authenticate every book, however, I couldn't believe the way she shrugged off the details about the publication, the binding, etc. that I was giving her. RAPTIS Rare Books is not in Las Vegas (I was hoping to support a local business first) but they are 1000 times more helpful, have a much larger selection of books and other memorabilia and are priced appropriately . I will NEVER recommend this shop or website to anyone.

This rare bookstore is a great place to wander, but unless you have $2,000 - 30,000 (or more) to spend on a book, it's going to be window shopping only. They do have the books fantastically displayed, though, for widow shoppers - with the book nicely displayed and a little placard in front that gave the description, author, and price. Today there were rare editions of Peter Rabbit, Shakespeare, a book signed by Churchill, a book signed by Ronald Reagan, and early copies of Gershwin's music (among dozens more). Very interesting place, even if the actual shopping part will only be available to select individuals.

The place is PERFECT for the history nerd that is yours truly. I went to see the IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD exhibit and MY GOODNESS was it fantastic. The collection of ancient scripture was beautiful, awe-inspiring, and just plain special to experience. It was a spiritual adventure for me and I got a lot out of it. After I was done viewing the Word, I took a stroll and discovered hand drawn maps of our great nation. I really wish I had a spare $3600 to spend on such a rare piece of history, but alas. They also had signed documents from President Lincoln, Winston Churchill, Tesla, Twain, and many others. For someone who dedicates my career and life to history, this experience was akin to Disneyland (but with less vomit and tears). I cannot wait to go back again and again to nerd out and dream of having money so that I can buy any historical artifact that tickles my fancy!

It's a smallish space and it looks a bit intimidating but the rare (expensive) collection is always changing and interesting to see. The employees here are approachable and extremely knowledgeable. This is probably my favorite stop in Las Vegas.

Incredible!!!! Makes me think back to Ron Burgundy in Anchorman when he says, "I'm very important. I have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany." You said it Ron... now go enjoy some 80,000 dollar reads.

We went in asking for Principia Mathematica, though they did not have it in stock, the attendant was very helpful & informative. It is regarded as one of the most influential texts of our time though, and the attendant did not know of it until she looked it up for us. Oh yeah, and they found out there are only 50 copies in the world of it in private hands, and it costs $45,000 for the the three volume set, first edition...

As I've visited this store over the years, I've encountered the following: 1 - An autographed first edition of The Great Gatsby...[swoons] 2 - A copy of Shakespeare's second folio...[faints] 3 - A Chumlee on the tail end of a Pawn Stars taping...[giggles] If those three finds don't warrant a five star review, I don't know what does!

Couldn't afford a single thing but well worth the trip to see what they have. Very friendly staff. Great free thing to do in Vegas.

Another interesting and different store in the Palazzo. And another shop that I can never afford to buy anything from but hubs and I had a grand time admiring the selections in here. I felt like I had stumbled into the stash of books hidden away by that person in the movie Fahrenheit 451. Some were original or first copies, some were signed but all were amazing to drool over. I enjoyed the Winnie the Pooh books so much as they took me back to my childhood. There are just so many great books in here; enough to give any bibliophile the vapors!

A nerd's paradise. Everyone should checkout this place. There are mint condition specialties, including books from America's starting years. Be careful not to get your greasy fingers all over the books, you might get smacked with a ruler. No, just kidding but you might receive a thorough admonishment for not being disciplined enough.

The best way to describe this dealer of fine books is a combination of a museum and bookstore. I went in to browse and was blown away by the items in their inventory. The staff was really nice. They have many old and historical items. They have accessible stuff like first issues of best sellers, whimsical items like Dr Seuss and The Wizard of Oz, and highly sought after items such a first edition of The Great Gatsby. Even if you are not a book collector you are sure to come across an item that you must have. Go ahead, splurge on yourself.

If you love books, this is a really cool spot to check out. Ultimately, I would not say I collect 1st edition books, but Bauman Rare Books has a great collection, although they were overpriced in my opintion. I could not afford buying collectibles from here (most books were in the thousands range), but it is definitely worth taking a look. I was just browsing, but they had no problem with me taking my time. They have an incredible selection!! I honestly wanted everything. The people that work there are super friendly and willing to help with anything and everything.

I can't afford the books here, but as for a place to take a quick look at their displays and see some rare books, it's a great place to stop in if you're in the neighborhood. So while I can't attest to purchasing here, as a tourist stop it's quite nice.

I believe Las Vegas is an incredibly successful vacation and convention destination because it makes people exclaim, "Wow!" That wow factor can be obtained in many different ways. Lots of people get it through large gambling winnings or losses and the adrenaline rush they get in the process. Others get it when they watch the elaborate shows. Many find the place itself with all its over-the-top excesses intrinsically wowish. Still others find their wows in the more fleshy vices that Vegas supplies. None of these things pushes my wow button and I was wondering whether Vegas was up to the task on a personal basis. Vegas was, but in a way I never would have anticipated. I'd just emitted my first "Wow!" in a shop called Ancient Creations in the Venetian by viewing a 1611 King James Bible when it was time to find my wife and the other ladies in our party who had been shopping. My wife had just finished buying some comfortable walking shoes and the ladies were heading over to Victoria's Secret in the Palazzo because one of them had forgotten to pack her bras and panties. Although it's always a learning experience to follow ladies around in a lingerie shop, that wasn't why I came to Vegas. On the way I spotted Bauman Rare Books (BRB) and told the rest of the gang I was taking a personal detour. WOW! Am I glad I did! As I walked in, I was immediately asked whether I needed any help by one of the staff members, Don. Not knowing yet what I had stumbled upon, I told him I was doing some "serendipity browsing". He just smiled and asked me to let him know if I had any questions. As I browsed through the collection that was nicely presented in an environment of understated elegance (probably the only place in Vegas that is understated about anything), I was already muttering "Wow!" under my breath. I'd found an embarrassment of rare book riches. I first noticed some beautiful collections of Audubon lithographs. Then I saw the first edition of Tchaikovsky's Pathétique Symphony arranged for piano four hands ($4500). After that, I was simply overwhelmed by one rare treasure after another. I called Don over and asked him to give me a tour. It was very thorough and interesting. I specifically remember him showing me the first complete edition translated into English of the essays of Seneca dated 1614 ($6500). We chatted awhile and he showed me their online site with all their inventory. I was particularly wowed by a single leaf from a manuscript in Mozart's own hand of one of his Serenades ($195,000). Because I was showing so much interest, Don asked whether I'd like to see their copy of the Nuremberg Chronicle. My eyes practically bugged out of my head as I stammered out something in the affirmative. He took me to BRB's reading room, looked around and asked another employee where the Nuremberg was. She casually pointed to a drawer and said, "I think it's in there." It was. He pulled it out and placed it on a special viewing stand on the table. So why was I so excited? Printed in Latin only a half century after Gutenberg invented the printing press, this book was published in 1493 (the year after Columbus stumbled upon America) and details the Biblical account of creation and continues with a history of the world through the 15th century. BRB lists it at $150,000. It is filled with thousands of woodcut illustrations (some of which may have been made by Albrecht Dürer who was an apprentice in the shop of the illustrator at the time). The visceral connection to the past was almost as electric as when I touched the Rosetta Stone in the British Museum years ago. I felt incredibly privileged to be able to turn the pages myself. WOW, WOW, WOW! As I left the shop, Don gave me a copy of their catalogue which now proudly sits on my coffee table. It's a beautiful book in its own right and a fantastic conversation starter. I can actually afford to buy a few of the books displayed in it too!

If you are at all serious about rare books, don't bother with this place. Although it's fun to browse, I collect antiquarian texts and have been to many stores like this as well as the annual trade shows. I'll never come back. My issues: 1) PRICE - I specialize in 19th and 20th century texts, so I can't comment on the pricing of older items. But from what I can tell, the mark-ups here are insane. (Anywhere from 40% to 100% over the prices you'll find if you run a quick Google search.) If you actually want to buy anything, you would do much better going through eBay or any independent (but ABAA-licensed!) dealer. 2) TOUCHING THE BOOKS - Maybe I just had bad luck, but the man working here would not let me touch any of the items in the glass cases. Allowing potential customers to touch the items that interest them is standard in this industry. While I understand that this store probably gets more foot traffic than any antiquarian bookstore in the country, they clearly had the supplies on hand (gloves, foam supports) so that customers could touch the books if the staff deemed them worthy. I suspect that the man who worked here did not take me seriously because I am in my twenties. Although I was dressed business-casual (was on my way to dinner), you'd think I was Julia Roberts at the beginning of Pretty Woman. Big mistake. Big. Huge! I have to go shopping now. 3) STAFF - On a related note, the guy working here was incredibly patronizing, again (I suspect) because of my age. He didn't seem to know much about the David Foster Wallace book I was interested in (fair enough, everyone has their specialties). But instead of answering my question or admitting he didn't know the answer, he launched into a spiel about why we put mylar covers on dust jackets. Compelling. When I asked about the provenance of a book, he told me that it came from a "private individual" and that he couldn't give me any more information than that because of privacy concerns. Fine. But then he added that it's "typical" for antiquarian booksellers not to give customers any information about where they got the books--which is objectively not true. I have worked with a number of rare booksellers and "typically", they bend over backwards to give me information about what I'm looking at (all while respecting the privacy of the person they got the book from, obviously). And even if they don't have that info, they would never make me feel bad for asking. The impression I came away with was that Bauman does not care at all about their customers--not enough to charge them fair prices, and not enough to treat them with respect when they visit the store. Such a shame.