The Museum Shop at the Society of Illustrators

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Compressed into the lobby of the 1853 carriage house of the Museum of American Illustration, this gift shop’s main draw is its excellent selection of books and hard-to-find magazines about illustration, including Juxtapoz, ILLO, and 3x3. Most of the books and DVDs correspond to current exhibitions, which span from children’s books to war images to magazine illustrations. Beyond the standard gift-shop fare—buttons, magnets, and mugs, emblazoned with images from exhibits or the museum’s wide-ranging permanent collection—the store carries more offbeat wares, like toy cars made of recycled pesticide cans and hand-carved animal-shaped woodblock stamps. And because it’s foremost a place for those interested in drawing, artists will find a selection of sketching supplies and craft materials, including beautiful handmade sketchbooks featuring images from the museum’s collection on the covers ($10–$25). Admiring spectators can also take home signed and framed prints, which start at $15. — Molly Finkelstein