The Chicago Rare Book Center is truly a collective enterprise: Four experienced dealers combine their expertise and their unique collections to offer customers an extensive selection of old and rare books, post cards, valentines and book-related antiques and games. Ann Dumler specializes in rare children's books and the works of Jane Austen. Paul Garon, an author in his own right, offers modern first editions and books on topics such as blues, radicalism and African-American studies. Pat Martiak's shelves feature works in art, classic science fiction and general interest. Tom Joyce (or "Dr. Rare", as Dumler calls him), a nationally recognized book appraiser who has appeared on HGTV's "The Appraisal Fair," specializes in books on history and early (as in "page from the Gutenberg Bible") imprints.

The neat and orderly shelves of the Center house a variety of books to browse, from Johan Dietenberger's 1561 German translation of the Bible to a recent first edition of "A Man in Full." There is something for everyone: Cognoscenti can sigh over the 1928 limited-run edition of "Lady Chatterley's Lover," while casual shoppers can search for leather-bound Boswells for their favorite curmudgeons. A large number of affordable works means that you won't have to hock the special china to score, say, that 1890 edition of Lusk's "The Art and Science of Midwifery."

The co-owners believe that the Center has features that set it apart from the multitudes of its online competitors. There's the combined experience of four knowledgeable dealers. There's also an upcoming class on the fundamentals of book collecting, taught by a renowned expert. In addition, there's Danny Boy, the store's resident cockapoo. What website can compete with that?

Centerstage Reviewer: Alan Simmons