The Only Used Bookstore You'll Ever Need

Apport Used Books. A store that specializes in books about UFOs, the paranormal, occultism and mysticism, poetry, and numerous other topics. Say goodbye to your discretionary income.

Looks like a Jenga book challenge.

OBSERVANT MINDS WANT TO KNOW

By Bernie O’Connor – bernieoconnor109@gmail.com

(Not a sponsored review)

Recently The Observer’s world headquarters received an email from one of our readers:

Dear Observer,

I have been a subscriber of yours for a while now and I really enjoy your articles, especially your UFO book reviews. My problem is, I am relatively new to UFO research and it’s hard for me to find the early classic UFO books. I live in a small town without a used bookstore and I can’t find the books I’m looking for online. Do you know of a source for these important books?

Sincerely, James C.

Thank you, James, for subscribing and reaching out to us. Finding a used bookstore these days is getting harder and harder. Even harder than getting a straight answer from the government regarding UFOs, and we all know how hard that is! Luckily, there is a bookshop I shop at regularly. It’s name is Apport Used Books, and it’s located in the picturesque town of Emmaus, PA. It’s owner is a gentleman named Ben Roylance. As for pricing, his are quite reasonable, as opposed what you find online, for the vintage UFO book or two that you just have to have.

“Apport” yourself in!

Here’s a short description of Apport Used Books from PA’s “Fiercely Independent” Bookseller’s brochure:

“Specializing in UFOs, the paranormal, occultism and mysticism, poetry, and numerous other topics. We offer a great balance of rare and hard to find titles alongside more affordable obscurities and new obsessions.”

I emailed Ben and requested an interview, and he kindly consented to one.

Ben Roylance, Proprietor, at-your-service.

Off we go to Emmaus!

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Bernie: Hello Ben, good to see you again.

Ben Roylance: It’s a pleasure Bernie. Welcome back to the store.

B: Now, please tell us, why the name “Apport” bookshop?

BR: The “Apport” name was found via bibliomantic means a while back. Or, more simply: I flipped through books until I found the right word. An apport is an object that appears, usually at a séance, via psychic means. Many people think it is a family name, so I sometimes suggest that in jest.

B: How long have you been interested in UFOs and have you ever had a UFO sighting or unusual experience with a UFO?

BR: I’ve been interested in UFOs since I was a child. UFOs, as well as the broadly-defined paranormal and supernatural realms, all of that. In retrospect, I have always been sort of a Fortean, though it manifests in some uncommon ways. In my mind, I associate my interest in ufology, esotericism, with my interest in poetry—it’s a connection I’ve explored in my writing, but never totally to my satisfaction. But I keep trying to make it all make sense.

Solid gold for the serious collector. A copy of the Mothman Prophecies autographed by John Keel with the Frank Frazetta cover. Act quick though, this won’t last long.

I have had a few sightings of strange objects in the sky, and several more amorphous experiences in the realm of the supernatural. A truly bizarre black object, totally motionless, seen in daytime in New Mexico. A disincarnate auditory phenomenon I experienced with another person (so, no, not a hallucination). Lots and lots of unbelievable synchronicities, especially when studying these subjects. Things like that. As is so often the case, many are hard to put into words.

B: Do you have a personal UFO library? If so, how many books in the collection?

BR: I’ve got a decent UFO book collection, but as one can imagine, the bookstore acts as a (probably healthy) outlet for the collecting impulse, so I’ve managed to keep it within what is to my mind a reasonable magnitude. I have no idea the number of books in my personal collection—probably slim in the eyes of the hoarder, but decadent to the minimalist.

Just the tip of the iceberg on the number of UFO books the store has.

B: Do you have a favorite UFO author or Fortean researcher you follow?

BR: Eugenia Macer-Story. I could go on forever about her work—Fortean and psychic research, art, poetry, novels, plays… But that would be an article unto itself. I have some of her paintings on the walls of my shop, and put out a small book of her visual art. She is relatively obscure, but was quite ahead of her time. Unfortunately most of her books are quite scarce. Her Dr. Fu Man Chu Meets the Lonesome Cowboy: Sorcery and the UFO Experience is undoubtedly a forgotten classic in the field.

B: What made you chose book selling as a living? Are most of your sales over the internet or in store?

BR: I got into the book trade after some time as a collector. It’s the only work that feels fulfilling, and, as they say, “not like work.” But it is work—running a business like this tends to take over your life, but I don’t mind. Not really. I sell a fair amount online, but the physical storefront itself is a much more interesting endeavor. I love both avenues, and you meet some wonderful people along each.

B: In this era of online commerce, what made you decide to open a store?

BR: I think people want real spaces and real experiences. The internet is useful, especially for commerce, but hides a seed of alienation that we are starting to see blossom.

The store is bright, inviting, and comfortable.

B: Do you send out catalogs?

BR: So far I’ve made one official catalog, themed around cybernetics, mind control, and early computing. It was released in May, 2023. I will probably release these once or twice a year, if I can continue to come up with interesting-enough themes. Otherwise, I use my Instagram account as a running catalog, and I post books there several times a day.

B: Where do you get all your books? Especially your large selection of UFO books and magazines?

BR: They fall out of a hole in the ceiling every time I say the sacred word. Also, I do some business with fellow booksellers and antique dealers, anyone who might come across books like this. When I have time, I go scouting. I buy from customers, or collections, or online. Building a strong collection in such a specific field is a lot like gardening.

This reporter just had to snap up a vintage piece of nostalgia. And yes, the Invaders’ flying saucer graces the cover of Aime Michel’s classic: The Truth About Flying Saucers.

B: How do you pay for books?

BR: Dealing with the trade, I have different arrangements. For private sellers, I either offer cash or store credit. Most of the time, these sellers prefer store credit.

B: How do you determine your pricing on your books?

BR: I briefly research the book, then account for condition. Sometimes, I just price blindly if I have a large pile to get through. People might really luck out this way!

B: Besides books on UFOs, what other categories do you sell books or products in?

BR: I try to have a bit of everything, though I don’t have the space or experience for cookbooks, contemporary big name fiction, or children’s books, all with some exceptions. I like to focus on vintage paperbacks, art, poetry, psychology, conspiracy and espionage, and horror, but pretty much anything that I think people will find interesting can find a home here.

B: Do you hold any special events at your store?

BR: Yes! I like to host small music events here (no room for a full band or a large crowd), poetry readings, and things like that. I hope to develop some sort of book club or meeting group someday, too.

Copies of Roylance’s latest limited edition poetry book, A Talking Skull, is available at the store.

B: What do you think UFOs are?

BR: I don’t know. I think they are many things at once. I’ve changed my mind over and over on this question. I think, at the moment, I can only with confidence say that they are folkloric hyper-objects that likely have several physical realities.

B: Due to the nature of the books you stock, has anything unusual ever happened in your shop? Like things moving? Strange sounds? Feelings of someone watching you? Is your book shop haunted?

BR: The shop has been the locus for a few extremely odd synchronicities, mostly around the work of E. Macer-Story. I’ve also had books jump off the shelves, and every time they have, they have been books about witchcraft.

B: Have you ever acquired a “worrisome” occult book? One that made you feel uncomfortable having it in the shop?

BR: Some books, like any objects, do give off some “bad vibes”—but I’ve never had any strong enough to warrant true worry. Although … Well, nevermind.

B: What are your customers like? Do you have big following on social media?

BR: A wide array of people shop here. It’s really a pretty diverse crowd. I do have a decent following on social media, but such things are so fragile. I much prefer building a following organically.

B: What’s the best way people can get in-touch with you if they want to sell their collection? Or if they are looking for a particular book, can customers give you a wish list?

BR: The best way to reach me is by email: apportusedbooks@gmail.com, and yes, I do take wish lists for specific books and collections. As for my daily posting of books on Instagram, they are always one of a kind. So if anyone is interested in that particular book, they need to place their order quickly. Unfortunately, when dealing with vintage books, it's first come, first served.

B: Thank you Ben for sharing your story with our readers. Now, please let me take a quick look around your shop to see what you have new, and how I can squander more of my store credit.

BR: Please go ahead, Bernie, I think you know all too well where the UFO section is.

To contact Ben Roylance:

Apport Used Books

12 S. 4th Street

Emmaus, PA 18049

Email: apportusedbooks@gmail.com

Daily postings of books for sale: @apportusedbooks

Facebook: facebook.com/apportusedbooks

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The acclaimed Canadian horror author and Podcast host, Lydia Peever, took a cross-border road trip to drop in on Ben early in the spring of 2023:

(While there, Peever couldn't resist inspecting some vintage UFO Magazines, @5:47 minutes in.)

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