Sold! Oakland bookseller finds new home for 13,000-volume esoteric collection

Todd Pratum, a long-time Oakland bookseller, recently faced a difficult transition. Faced with an eviction from his Eastlake apartment, Pratum needed to find a new home for his massive collection of 13,000 rare books. The collection is not your standard library, as it is filled with esoteric texts on hermetic philosophy, spirituality, and psychical research that Pratum spent decades gathering.

After his situation gained public attention, Pratum received over 100 inquiries from collectors and interested parties. He was determined to avoid selling to companies that would merely scan the volumes for data or destroy their physical integrity. He wanted the collection to remain accessible to people who appreciate the history and tactile nature of the printed word.

That search ended when Mollie Thomas, the founder of the Los Angeles community space Wu:uM, reached out. Thomas, who operates a library for women, queer, and non-binary individuals, saw the value in Pratum’s life work. She traveled to Oakland to inspect the books and spent hours vetting the arrangement with Pratum. The two developed a mutual respect for the preservation of these texts.

The deal represents a shift in the rare book market. Pratum noted that professional interest in such specialized collections has declined over the years. Many former competitors have left the trade, making individual passion projects like the one at Wu:uM vital for keeping such specialized knowledge in circulation. The books will soon move to Los Angeles, where they will be integrated into the library for public use.

For Pratum, the sale provides a way forward as he prepares to leave Oakland. He plans to relocate to the desert near Morongo Valley. Despite his decades in the business, he still intends to keep his trade alive, hoping to open a new shop in his next chapter. The transition shows the persistence of book culture even as the traditional market for rare volumes changes.