Deseret News | Reader comments: Benchmark founder has built business around love of books

Reader comments
Benchmark founder has built business around love of books

A Fan | 8:27 a.m. Oct. 28, 2007

Curt is the most honest (among a very honest fraternity) of the Salt Lake rare books dealers, whether I'm buying or selling. He also helps underwrite Mormon and Utah scholarly conferences, and I make it a point to support that by buying most of my specialty books from him. Way to go, "youthful" Curt!

sflynn27 | 11:07 a.m. Oct. 28, 2007

Curt is one of the true gentlemen of the book business. I have known him for over twenty years and he is always honest and fair in his dealings. We have been through the "wars" together. Those fiday lunches are alot of fun. I feel like I am writing an obituary. Any one who needs an LDS book show go and see him.

Henry Drummond | 12:35 p.m. Oct. 28, 2007

I remember Curt from my college days. I have been in his bookstore many times. He seems to hire knowledgeable, helpful people who are excited about the book trade. I'm very glad to see him featured him and wish him continued success.

Comments continue below

Josephs Myth | 12:37 p.m. Oct. 28, 2007

The phrase "a gentleman and a scholar" can be applied with total appropriateness to Curt Bench. An extraordinary resource for the community of Mormon scholars as well as to the community as a whole. Too bad Dennis didn't mention Anne Wilde -- long-time staffer and the person who keeps the office running. She is a remarkable resource in her own right on aspects of Mormon history and theology.

Book Collector | 3:02 p.m. Oct. 28, 2007

Curt is the most knowledgeable and professional of all Mormon booksellers, hands-down. Anyone buying or selling old Mormon books should check with him before making final decisions. In this regard, I am glad to see this feature story because, in the past, Curt has been so unpretentious and unassuming he has not had the credit he deserves.

Andrulux | 3:05 p.m. Oct. 28, 2007

We are fortunate to have Curt Bench in our community. The article from the DNews is well deserved!

He is a joy to work with, and has never lost that personal touch and attention that he shows his customers. In a world dominated by Barnes & Noble, Benchmark is a welcome haven, always yielding interesting books...a great resource!

Keep up the great work Curt!

Tom Slack | 6:53 p.m. Oct. 28, 2007

I worked for Curt when he originally started selling out of print books. My late father loved church history and was so thankful that Curt started doing what he did to open up that market.

I'm excited he has succeeded. I knew it would be tough. Curt is a great guy and has been a great influence on my life.

Mike Parker | 9:47 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007

I don't know Curt personally, but I have been patronizing his store for over 10 years. His staff have always been friendly and knowledgeable, and able to find just about anything I'm looking for. Benchmark Books is a real jewel in the Mormon book-selling world.

Arvin | 4:40 p.m. Oct. 29, 2007

Curt is deserving of the respect he has earned over the past twenty-five+ years. I have known him since the Fashion Place Mall days, through many ups and downs.
I wish when a story related to the Church, Church history, or the most recent controversy over a book came out, that he would be the first one contacted. He has the broadest knowledge base of any dealers in the area.

Armand Mauss | 5:46 p.m. Oct. 29, 2007

Curt is a world treasure, and this public recognition from Dennis at DN is very well deserved. The whole world of Mormon Studies would be much poorer but for his contributions, both intellectual and material, to that world. His marketing of good books (especially those not easily accessible) is only one of his contributions. He supports LDS-related literature and study in countless other ways, too, such as in his support for Dialogue, Sunstone, the Mormon History Association, Association of Mormon Letters, and the like.

BBreinholt | 8:36 p.m. Oct. 29, 2007

Books and Friends. These are the pillars of Curt's faith as he says in the SUNSTONE series Pillars of My Faith. Curt is a rare treasure of wisdom and faith. May he be around for many years.

Anonymous | 10:19 p.m. April 19, 2009

I met Curt for the first time just days ago and found him to be both friendly and informative. After perusing numerous bookstores in SLC I would recommend his store before all others.

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