Meredith Graves is a multimedia artist, writer and researcher based in Brooklyn, NY, whose professional resume includes time spent as the anchor of MTV News and as an Outreach Director at Kickstarter (where she initiated and launched successful fundraising programs specifically for occultural artists).
Graves is first and foremost a storyteller, who uses her journalistic and analytic skills alongside her lifelong passion for myth, theater and fairy tales to sublimate and reinterpret a broad array of topics and genres ranging from hardcore punk to material culture, political journalism to economics and criminology.
Meredith Graves is serving as an Ambassador for the 65th Annual ABAA New York International Antiquarian Book Fair, joining a dynamic group of passionate collectors, influencers, and industry leaders who are shaping the conversation around collecting, preservation, and the cultural importance of historical materials. Ahead of the fair, we had the opportunity to ask Meredith a few questions.
Collection & Inspiration
Favorite Piece:
What is your favorite antiquarian book, manuscript, object, piece of ephemera, etc. in your collection, and what makes it so special to you?
I am lucky enough to possess a binder's copy of the Dragon Book of Essex, by the late, inimitable Andrew Chumbley. I love this volume both because of its contents and importance within the tradition of Sabbatic witchcraft, and because it was a generous gift from a supporter of my own esoteric research.
Admired Figure:
Which historical author, printer, or publisher do you most admire or enjoy collecting?
Roland Barthes; I've owned probably a dozen copies of A Lover's Discourse over the last 20 years.
Museum Muse:
Which NYC museum showcasing rare manuscripts or literary artifacts do you find most inspiring?
The Guggenheim has done a wonderful job showcasing esoteric manuscripts in the past - their 2017 exhibit featuring work by the members and associates of Joseph Peladan and the Salon de la Rose + Croix was a big highlight of the last decade for me, especially the Erik Satie pieces.
Iconic Architecture:
Is there a New York building—perhaps a historic library or archive—that particularly sparks your passion for antiquarian treasures?
The Met Cloisters are a huge source of inspiration. I've gone up there many times in warmer weather to sit and read or knit in the central garden. It's the best place in town to contemplate the greater mysteries.
Lifestyle
Recent Discovery:
What is the best antiquarian book, podcast, or article on literary history you’ve come across lately?
"Cooking with Franz Kafka," by Valerie Stivers for the Paris Review. I'm a diehard Kafka skeptic as well as an avid cook and baker; it inspired me to make a really ugly cake with some of his most flagrant lines from Letters to Milena iced across the top.
Advice
For New Collectors:
What advice would you offer to someone just beginning their journey in collecting?
Don't let your desire to be an expert in one area deflate your enthusiasm in others. We're living through an era of increased demand for specialization, but this is a trap. It's okay to love lots of things -- nurture all your diverse interests, and explore where they intersect!
Words of Wisdom:
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received about collecting or hunting rare books?
Be on the lookout for bugs. No joke - I rarely hear any of my book loving friends discussing protection or extermination, but I've been bitten one too many times living in Brooklyn apartments. Store even your regular books carefully, and be on the lookout for insects of all types. It only takes one infestation to ruin your outlook forever!
Plugs
Proud Project:
Can you share a recent project or exhibition that you’re particularly proud of?
I'm also a textile artist and sometimes share my work to my Instagram (@gravesmeredith), and have recently been exploring women's daywear from 1917-1919. While I'm pretty bad at posting to my feed, you can check my story highlights to see my sewing, knitting, and other work organized by year.
Tackling Challenges:
What’s one challenging acquisition or project you’ve encountered in your collecting endeavors?
My beloved early-1910s edition of the Comte de Gabalis was damaged beyond repair several years ago due to flooding in a previous apartment. If anyone has a copy of the Masonic binding, please get in touch!
Upcoming Excitement:
What are you excited to show and/or see at New York Antiquarian Book Fair?
Whatever the fine folks at Lux Mentis bring along. Kim does such a magical job curating her signature mix of rare and esoteric manuscripts; it's my first stop at the NYIABF every year!
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