Librairie La Comète, Paris. One does not know but to take a leap
«What we carry is based on instinct. There are times when the print job is not up to standard, or the other way around. We trust the quality of the photographer and author at that moment»
Librairie La Comète, a photography bookstore in Rue des Récollets
Librairie La Comète is a bookstore in Rue des Récollets. Its focus is on photography books and reading materials. Head-director Marc Pussemier and co-director Pauline Boscher supervise the store.
Mr. Pussemier’s eight-year tenure at La Comète began in 2013. After twenty-five years with a photography agency, he left to found his bookstore, Librairie Photographique. «I was with Agency Trademarc, working as an agent for photographers. I left in 2005». He has worked in the photography business for over forty years. «I choose the books and assist in the curation of the store—determining how it is to look and which publishers and photographers to carry. Pauline enables the day-to-day tasks, assisting with administration and communication».
Picto, Gare de l’Est and the three floors of La Comète
Before his tenure at La Comète, the space was named ‘Twenty-Nine’ as per the number of the lot on the street where the store is located. In 2018, photography group Picto acquired La Comète. The group hired his partner, Mrs. Boscher, at the time of the acquisition.
«Picto has been in the business for the past seventy years, as of 2020. They have a laboratory above our store. Location-wise, it was central, situated near Gare de l’Est railway station».
The store received its name when Picto took over. The name pays homage to Picto’s first location, in Rue de la Comète. The space is shared across three floors; the ground floor hosts La Comète. The first floor is one of Picto’s three laboratories in Paris. The third floor is a storage unit shared between the two entities. The building once housed a newspaper and then a co-working space for artists and graphic designers.
Three thousand five hundred photography books in Paris
The decision to start a bookstore centered on photography came from the lack of focus on the subject matter. There are two independent bookstores in the city of Paris that sell photography books. When it was first open to the public, La Comète held exhibitions. That is not the case any longer as we have diverted our focus to books, carrying three thousand five hundred books in the subject of photography. The exhibitions during the opening stages served to make the bookstore known. As the event space reduced in size, La Comète continued to host book signings and talks by photographers. In March, we intend on showcasing an exhibition in the store centered on women photographers. Mr. Pussemier states that the criterion to be met is creativity.
«The space is brimmed, but we wish to make events and exhibitions possible. We have worked with Raymond Depardon, Sophie Calle, Pierre & Gilles and Antoine D’Agata».
How La Comète selects publishers and photographers
Representatives of publishers pitch drafts to La Comète with catalogs of upcoming books to be carried in store. «What we carry is based on instinct. There are times when the print job is not up to standard, or the other way around. One does not know but to take a leap, trusting the quality and creativity of the photographer and author at that moment». Independent photographers approach the director with their work for consideration. La Comète, in addition to working with French publishers and photographers, has employed London-based publisher Morel.
Eighty square meters: tables, shelves and light
The store measures eighty square meters. White light from artificial sources emphasizes the text quality and the print of the pictures on each book on the tables. Books are laid in their packaging across four tables, covers facing the customer. Tables are divided into sections based on genre: books on nature, fashion, art, street photography and Japanese photography. Shelves carry photographers who are deemed to be classics, sharing the space with essays, books on photojournalism and theories on photography. The collaboration with Picto brought a change in design: blond-colored wood, in warmer tones. «I listen to the customers and bring in what they want to read».
The director describes this as an exchange of knowledge with his buyers. «Anyone can purchase books off the internet, but there is a social aspect to walking into a store to share information, learn and connect with others. This has amplified due to Covid-19».
Mr. Pussemier hand-picks the books. He vets each copy for the quality of the print and of the content.«I choose books that are original in content and that vary in presentation». Customers come into the store, seeking advice or conversation.
Children’s books, click and collect and the recycling program of Paris
The store caters to the youth of Paris, to parents and to photographers. «We have a section of books for children. There are parents with kids who go to schools in the neighborhood. It is something we can offer this demographic». Under the guidance of Picto, La Comète is reducing its collection of children’s books to make way for photography books. Mr. Pussemier reports uncertainty among customers in the early stages of the store. Its reputation rose after the collaboration with Picto. «La Comète is open to everyone. I don’t intend to turn it into a space for the elite in photography».
The store takes part in the recycling programs hosted by the city of Paris. It recycles boxes and waste to reduce its carbon footprint. Mr. Pussemier offers photographers and authors space in the store, to gain exposure.
Exhibitions and online talks after the pandemic
During the pandemic, La Comète operated online, offering a ‘click and collect’ option for its customers. Mr. Pussemier and Mrs. Boscher cleaned and rearranged the store in the absence of customers. «We requested photographers to sign their books to encourage sales. Publishers collaborated with the photographers and sent the books our way».
La Comète intends to host exhibitions, workshops and events centered on photography. Its focus for now is on women in photography. With the uncertainty of the pandemic, the store is open to hosting talks online, using video chat applications.
