Company History and Emphasis
Phillip J. Pirages Fine Books and Medieval Manuscripts was established in 1978 on a ping pong table in a basement in Kalamazoo, Michigan. From the beginning, its founder was willing to sell a range of material (both because this approach made the work more educational than otherwise and because it gave him a good excuse for not being an expert in any particular specialty). Over the years, the business has gravitated toward historical artifacts that are physically attractive in some way—illuminated material, fine bindings, books printed on vellum, fore-edge paintings, beautiful typography and paper, impressive illustration. But the company still sells a wide range of things, from (scruffy) ninth century leaves to biblical material from all periods to Wing and STC imprints to modern privately printed books. While we are forgiving about condition when something is of considerable rarity, we always try to obtain the most attractive copies possible of whatever works we offer for sale. For the past nine years, we have been fortunate to represent one of the country's most important collectors. This collaboration means that, apart from our own inventory, we have a continuing interest in building his collection of visually arresting books (items of unusual size, with beautiful bindings, and/or containing striking illustrations) and of other material that is extraordinarily odd or interesting, especially if (but not exclusively) relating to the history of technology.About Us
Phil Pirages (owner) grew up in the Midwest, earned a PhD from the University of Michigan, taught literature and writing to college and university students for a dozen years, and had a life-changing experience when he found a (17th century architectural) book at a garage sale in 1976. Beginning with no other books and less than no money, and after combining teaching with book dealing for eight years, he moved in 1984 to McMinnville, Oregon. Arriving at this location--the home of Linfield College, where the woman in his life (Ellen Summerfield, now his wife) was employed as Director of International Programs--he declared himself to be in business as a full-time bookseller. It soon became evident that few persons in the book world overheard the declaration, but because of the protracted and relentless kindness of strangers over the ensuing years, the business he established has found acceptance among those who seek visually attractive illuminated and printed material as well as books that are rare or unusual in some special way. Phil's chief responsibilities in the office include buying, appraising, final editing of catalogue copy, and general mentoring of a remarkably efficient, dedicated, and cordial staff. Even in his declining years, he remains actively involved in competitive sports outside the office, and you are cautioned not to wager against him at the bowling alley or at the ping-pong table.
Jenny Johns (office manager, finance) is a 1995 graduate of Linfield College whose circuitous career path included using her degree in mathematics to: clean stalls, work as a veterinary assistant, wait tables, reopen and run an historic movie theater, and sell wine. By cat-sitting for a former history professor who catalogued part-time for Phil, she found her way to Phillip J. Pirages Fine Books in 2003. She has enjoyed the exposure to rare and wonderful books and the travel to book fairs, most memorably a trip to Los Angeles while noticeably pregnant. Her cravings for order and detail are put to excellent use tracking the comings and goings of books and clients and maintaining financial records. After a satisfying day’s work, she goes home to two lovely young children and her winemaker husband. She also attends the Telluride Film Festival in Colorado every year to indulge her love of cinema (and to brag about the famous artists she sees there).
Tammy Opheim (office manager, inventory and logistics), the firm's only true Oregonian (born and raised, but without the webbed feet), comes to us from a short career as a stay-at-home mom. Now in her fourth year of employment at PJP, she only occasionally has lapses when she gives out the toll-free number to the job at the dental supply company she held for ten years before her hiatus at home. When she is not here in the office answering the phones, filling orders, and doing all the day-to-day administration tasks, you can find her herding cattle, riding horses, camping, or spending time with her rancher-husband and two young princesses. Although new to rare books, she has enjoyed learning about all of the fascinating and truly amazing items that come through our shop.
David Clark (shipping manager, computer specialist) was raised in Oregon's Columbia River Gorge area and later lived in Portland, where, among other things, he got married and began raising a family. In 1994, he moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and became involved in the book publishing industry, particularly dealing with databases and inventory management. A few years after moving back to Oregon in 2004, he happened upon Phil Pirages' bookselling business and was both astonished and pleased to find such an intriguing business in a place like McMinnville (pop. 30,000). After coming aboard in April 2007, David took on as his main duties shipping and receiving, computer and database administration, business systems analysis, updating and improving the company website, and helping at book fairs. He currently occupies his time outside of work with music (composition, recording, and performance), philology and comparative linguistics, basketball, flying toys and puzzles, raising five kids, and researching various aspects of genealogy, technology, astronomy, and life's deeper mysteries.
Cokie Anderson (cataloguer, researcher) is living every bibliophile’s dream: writing about beautiful books all day. Originally from the South, she worked as a paralegal for 10 years before seeking refuge in library school, obtaining her MLIS from the University of Oklahoma in 1998. A stint as director of the Electronic Publishing Center at Oklahoma State University followed, during which she published two books on digitization methods. After moving to McMinnville with her partner (now her husband) two years ago, she came across an ad in the local paper for someone who could catalogue books and read Latin. Thrilled by the opportunity to use her esoteric skills, she joined the Pirages team as a cataloguer and researcher. Although she has almost completely made the transition from one-time debutante to Birkenstock-wearing Oregonian, she occasionally breaks down and buys a copy of Vogue. As required by her library degree, she has four cats.