You can learn a lot about a person from their bookshelf.
The biographies reveal their heroes. The novels show where their imagination wanders. A cookbook collection speaks to comfort food and Sunday mornings. History titles mark the eras that shaped them.
For more than 50 years, Edward R. Hamilton Bookseller Company has helped millions of readers build those shelves, one bargain book at a time. From their home in Falls Village, Connecticut, Hamilton Book sells new books, DVDs, and CDs at discounts reaching 80% off retail prices.
But what they’re really selling is possibility. The deep discounts allow readers to take chances on unfamiliar authors, buy books they’ve been curious about, or build libraries they couldn’t otherwise afford.
The Remainder Revolution
Hamilton Book operates in a corner of the publishing world most readers never see. They specialize in remainder books—titles that publishers printed in quantities larger than what sold. These aren’t used books or damaged goods. They’re brand new, just surplus. Publishers sell their overstock to remainder specialists like Hamilton Book, who then offer them to readers at a fraction of the original price.
The process gives books a second life. A hardcover biography that didn’t find its audience at $28.95 might become someone’s favorite discovery at $7.99. A cookbook that sat in a warehouse gets a chance to actually teach someone to make cassoulet. History titles, fiction, military history, craft books, nature guides…Hamilton Book’s catalog spans every interest imaginable.
For book lovers in small towns without bookstores, Hamilton Book’s catalog became a lifeline. “My town no longer has a bookstore,” one longtime customer explains, “so the catalog is like browsing down the aisles. Always gives me a smile.”
From Catalog to <Click>
When e-commerce emerged, Hamilton Book faced a choice. Their customers loved the mail-order catalog, and many had been ordering that way for decades. Would a website cannibalize that beloved ritual of circling titles and mailing in order forms? Would email marketing feel intrusive to people who waited eagerly for print catalogs?
Hamilton Book’s leadership was open to digital possibilities but protective of what made their business special. They needed a partner who understood that technology should serve the customer experience, not replace it.
That’s where Rare Bird came in. Our approach wasn’t to drag Hamilton Book into the digital age kicking and screaming. We showed how e-commerce could complement their catalog business, opening new revenue streams while preserving what customers cherished. The website would work like their catalog—easy to browse, organized by interest, with the same treasure-hunt feeling of discovering unexpected titles.
The technical challenge was substantial. Remainder book inventory changes rapidly. Stock levels shift daily. Items move from regular inventory to “last chance” status. The platform needed to handle this unique business model—remainder markings, condition descriptions, flat-rate shipping—while making it simple for customers to find their next favorite book.
Five Million Readers…and Counting
The platform we built now sends more than 5 million emails every month. Customers choose their interests—New Arrivals, Most Popular, specialized subjects—and receive targeted campaigns introducing titles they’ll actually want. Email marketing generates substantial recurring revenue through campaigns that highlight new arrivals, last-chance items, and targeted recommendations for readers who haven’t ordered in a while.
More people have discovered Hamilton Book,which means more books have found readers. And those beloved print catalogs never stopped arriving in mailboxes. The true believers still circle the most promising titles with a pen and a smile.
Books Finding Their People
Whether someone discovers Hamilton Book through Facebook, a Google search, or a friend’s recommendation, the website makes it easy to explore thousands of titles across every subject imaginable.
Hamilton Book proves that traditional businesses can thrive in the digital age without losing what made them special. The catalog still matters. The personal touch still counts. The joy of discovering a bargain book still brings that smile.
And somewhere today, a package from Falls Village will arrive on the porch. And another reader’s library grows, one affordable discovery at a time.
A few recommendations from the many excellent options at Hamilton Book:
- The Best Marvel Stories by Stan Lee (Omnibus): Dive into over 70 years of Marvel magic and explore the foundation of the Marvel Cinematic Universe—the highest-grossing film franchise of all time—with this hardbound collection featuring iconic tales of Spider-Man, Iron Man, Hulk, and more.
- Moonage Daydream (Blu-ray): A visually stunning, officially sanctioned documentary that captures the genius of David Bowie through rare footage and immersive storytelling..
- Trollhunter (Blu-ray): This Norwegian cult hit blends found-footage thrills with folklore as a group of students uncover the secret world of trolls. Smart, eerie, and wildly imaginative.
- Classic King Boxed Set: Cujo / Pet Sematary / Christine: Three of Stephen King’s most chilling novels in one vintage-style box set.
- All You Need Is Love: The Beatles in Their Own Words: A treasure trove of intimate interviews with Paul, George, Ringo, and Yoko, offering rare insights into the Beatles’ lives and legacy.
