Reprint Book Shop

12/10/2024

03/22/2024

Wine and books in Obidos, Portugal.

02/09/2023

Much beloved poet and writer, Nikki Giovanni, who will be celebrating an important birthday later this year, autographs "Racism 101*" at Reprint Book shop February 1994.

01/28/2023

Prize winning journalist Carl Rowan (1925-2000) autographs "Dream Makers, Dream Breakers: The World of Justice Thurgood Marshall" at Reprint Book Shop February 1993.

01/14/2023

For those of you who do not already know, we lost our dear brother Sean earlier this month. Sean was an important, even critical, part of the success of Reprint Book Shop and he will be dearly missed.

-Michael Sullivan

Sean Patrick Sullivan

Sean Sullivan, 64, passed away Monday, January 2 in Baltimore, Maryland after a brief illness. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Brinkama, and his three siblings, Michael, Kathleen Greene and Kevin his two step brothers, Steven and Michael Lane as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Born in Lakehurst, NJ in 1958 to a Naval aviator father (blimps, helicopters) and a wonderful Kansas bred mother, Sean literally toured the world before he was five years old. His family returned to Wichita in 1962 and, after his mother remarried in 1967, moved to the west side of town where he eventually attended Wichita West High School from where he graduated in 1975. With his keen interest in history and economics as well as his stellar skills in debate, Sean was accepted into The University of Chicago where he studied finance and urban planning. He later transferred to the University of Maryland and upon graduation was employed in the development of programs providing access to housing for low and moderate income families.

It was, however, Sean’s lifelong love of learning which drew him to his calling, the book trade. His skills in business provided valuable aid and assistance to nearly every book retail interest in the Washington, DC area. Additionally, he very much enjoyed the time he spent with authors, great and small, who toured the DC area during this period of over 30 years. As the book business changed, so did Sean’s approach as he retooled his skills to helping find and complete academic and law libraries for businesses and professionals.

In honor of his wishes there will be no funeral or public remembrance. Sean would have preferred to have his memory preserved by his friends visiting a favorite independent bookstore and buying a good book either for themselves or for someone else. The spread of good writing and ideas is what will truly ‘pay it forward’.

01/08/2023

Margaret Busby autographing "Daughters of Africa" at Reprint Book Shop February 10, 1992

12/28/2022

Cover photo was our 1986 storefront

12/21/2022

To all who knew him, a true patron of the arts and a longtime supporter of Reprint Book Shop.

It is with heavy heart that we announce the passing of Hugh Vincent Kelly, beloved father of Brendan Michael and brother of Michael Joseph.

Hugh was a true Publican: the owner of Kellys' Irish Times on Capitol Hill, an engaging host and gifted storyteller, and a man that friends and patrons would turn to for a sympathetic ear or a helping hand.

Hugh was born in Ballyclamay, Longford, Ireland, to Michael and Josephine Kelly, as the oldest of six children. He emigrated from Ireland in 1963, arriving in New York and making his way to Washington, DC in 1964. He opened his first Irish pub, My Mother's Place, in 1968. He continued in the pub business, working as the General Manager of the Dubliner pub on Capitol Hill before opening his own Irish pub next door, Kellys' Irish Times, in 1978. He turned his pub into a cherished DC institution, and helped countless individuals who entered the pub as patrons and exited as dear friends. Hugh changed lives, whether through employment, charitable actions, or support of all things Irish, including St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School, Archbishop Carroll High School, the Police Emerald Society of DC, DC Fire & EMS, the St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

Hugh was delighted to pass on ownership of the pub to his son, Brendan, in 2004, so he could enjoy retirement with his wife at his house on the South River in Edgewater, Maryland. He made many new friends in Edgewater, and loved boating and opening his home to family and friends, old and new.

With his brilliant wit and generous spirit, Hugh touched the hearts of many. He will always be remembered for his passion for his wife, family, and friends; his love of Irish poetry and music; his knowledge of literature and history; and his warm hospitality and zest for life which continues on in his son, granddaughter, and staff of Kellys' Irish Times.

Hugh was predeceased by his loving wife (Belinda), his brother (Matthew), and his sister (Maisy). He will be well remembered and cherished by his son (Brendan), his daughter-in-law (Julie), his granddaughter (Megan), his brothers (Michael and Brendan), his sister (Imelda McLoone), and his nieces and nephews. He will be missed and loved forever by his family, his close friends, and devoted caregivers (Virgina, Marigold, Jaime, Emmanuel, Marie), and generations of Kellys' Irish Times staff and patrons.

The funeral mass celebrating Hugh's life will be held at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, 1725 Rhode Island Avenue Northwest, on Saturday, January 14, at 2 p.m. Inturment will be private.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/washingtonpost/name/hugh-kelly-obituary?id=38419919

12/18/2022

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2022/12/19/used-books-stores-donation-fran-lebowitz/

“They’re more like friends than objects,” one passionate bookseller says. What are we to do with our flooded shelves?