Bookselling Between the Raindrops
Updated: Aug 31
by Jeffrey A. Rothermel
Captain's Log
August 15-16, 2026
Seminole Valley Farm Museum
One weekend a year, I close my environmentally controlled and comfortable showroom and travel north to the humid and misty riverbanks of the Cedar Rapids. This was my fifth year of selling books from a tent in harmony with mother nature and her occasional outbursts. Why dare the misfortune of damaged paper from moisture? Believe it or not... nothing better than a rainy outdoor weekend of authentic armor to bring out the history enthusiasts and story tellers.
The Inquisitive
Seek Unique Items &
Rare Books
Military collectors do a lot of research which often seeps into my profession, bookselling. Historians and collectors are often on the hunt for information concerning multiple fields of interest. The below photo is a rare British Second World War armored scout vehicle manufactured in the United Kingdom called the Humber Mark IV. It is the only known original Mark IV that remains operational in the Western Hemisphere.
Rare, armored vehicle: British Humber Mark IV [Only known original MARK IV in North America.]
Historians, enthusiasts, and reenactors from the Midwest displayed uniforms, artifacts and vehicles at Seminole Valley Farm Museum. The theme was both the front line and home front sacrifices. The visiting public was able to watch tactical skirmishes. Between the mock battles the public had the opportunity to browse the books. Multiple vendors were there with some awesome books. It is no longer an Area 51 secret where great deals on military history books can be found. The weather was somewhat nasty at times causing the tarps to cover not only the books, but also the armor.
British Damliar Dingo and Humber Mark IV WWII Reconnaissance Vehicles near the Captain's Book Tent
Each year, I assess which books I should take to the riverbanks based upon the predicted weather. Minimizing the risk while maximizing the reward is an adrenalin rush when one gets it right. The muscle ache of moving heavy books was reminiscent to rotating the crates of "go to war ammo" during the Cold War in West Germany. Getting it right, was a fun mental challenge. This year went well. The books stayed dry and heavy.
People found unique, affordable printed items from multiple vendors. We traded a few stories. I also delivered 384 pounds of printed history mandated by the U.S. Congress in 1864. Also known as: WAR OF THE REBELLION Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies (120+ books printed in the years 1880 - 1901 by the U.S. Government.) The books were probably not as rare as the armored British scout vehicle in America, but close enough when dealing with war stories.
The first 17 of 128 WAR OF THE REBELLION Books formerly at Captain's Book Shoppe
Other items, such as the Doolittle Collection, are back safe in the Captain's Book Shoppe showroom in Iowa City. Lieutenant Colonel Doolittle led sixteen U.S. Army B-25 bomber crews from the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Hornet on an April 18, 1942 to attack Japan as retaliation for Pearl Harbor. Want to know more?
Stop by the store.
Captain's Book Shoppe
1570 S. 1st Avenue
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
Okerstrom, Dennis R. DICK COLE'S WAR Doolittle Raider,
Hump Pilot Air Commando. Columbia: University of Missouri Press, 2015. Stated First Printing. [Signed by Robert Cole]. 320 pages. DJ & Hardbound Book: Very Good Condition. $65
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Doolittle, Jimmy and Carroll V. Glines. COULD NEVER BE SO LUCKY AGAIN
An Autobiography by General James H. Jimmy Doolittle. New York: Bantam Books, 1991, 2nd impression. [Free Endpaper inscribed: "To Mike Hackwith" [black ink] Oshkosh 8/1/92 [blue ink] signed by six Tokyo Raiders: 1LT William "Bill" Bower, pilot #12 [black ink], CPT David M. "Davy Jones pilot #5, [blue ink]" Travis Hoover Crew #2 [black ink], SGT Joeseph "Joe" W. Manske, flight engineer & gunner crew #5 (black ink), Lt. Edgar E. "Mac" McElroy pilot crew #13 [black ink], Hank Potter Navigator crew #1 [black ink]. 574 pages. DJ & Hardbound Book: Very Good Condition. $150
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Hoppes, Jonna Doolittle. CALCULATED RISK
The Extraordinary Life of Jimmy Doolittle - Aviation Pioneer and World War II Hero. Santa Monica: Santa Monica Press, 2005 8th impression. [Signed Title Page, blue ink: Jonna Doolittle Hoppes] 334 pages. DJ & Hardbound Book: Very Good Condition. $20
Conclusion
Thanks for taking the time to read about my recent book adventures in Iowa.
The Book Showroom is open Monday - Friday 12 noon - 5 PM.
Saturday the store is open 10 AM - 2 PM.
Closed on Sundays.
Captain's Book Shoppe LLC
1570 S. 1st Ave, Suite H
Iowa City, Iowa (USA) 52240
Store Phone: (319) 351-3166
Website: CaptainsBookShoppe.com
Please consider following the book adventures at:
Captain's Book Shoppe on Facebook: Facebook
Captain's Gentle Madness - Book Collecting: Facebook
Vintage Captain on Twitter, now "X": Captain's Book Shoppe LLC, IOBA (@CPTsBookShoppe) / X (twitter.com)
Bluesky: @captainsbook.bsky.social
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Additional notes and references.
KCRG TV News Report:
Humber Mark IV References:
Humber Mk IV - Danish Army Vehicles Homepage (Accessed August 20, 2026)
WarWheels.Net-Humber Mark 4 Armored Car Index (Accessed August 20, 2026)
Attack Kits Humber Armoured Car Mk.IV | Armorama™ (Accessed August 23, 2026)
Each year, there are interesting displays and people to meet. The field phone guy, Clark Doherty from Altoona, Iowa displayed operational field telephones on August 16, 2026.
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