Ursus Books

If you have any interest in art monographs and photography this is the go-​to bookstore. Their inventory is extensive. The staff is helpful but will gladly leave you alone to browse books and you can easily spend a few hours here doing that.

First off, please note that the current address for Ursus Books is:
981 Madison Ave.
New York, NY 10 021
Ursus Books, and their once sister store Archivia, specialize in high end art, architecture, photography, fashion, and interior design.
How high end is it: so high end that you will find books here that you will not see at any other bookstore, not even at the Strand, St. Marks, the museum bookstores, or even the other Upper East Side bookstores.
It’s worth browsing here as they always have some really fascinating photography and art books. I love their photography selection the most and have been introduced to many photographers from browsing Ursus’ selection.
They ship from around the world to find some of the most interesting books. They used to be located in a larger beautiful space in Chelsea but moved to a smaller space due to realities of running an independent bookstore in New York.
If you are interested in finding new photography and art, be prepared to spend lots of money here. The books are just beautiful to look at.

Awesome specialty bookstore located on the second floor of the Carlyle Hotel. Very interesting selection of art books. Staff can be a bit snooty at times.