Edit: The recording of this event is now available on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfeHt5PvU6U The Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America was founded in 1949 to promote interest in rare and antiquarian books and book collecting, and to foster collegial relations. The association invites you to attend the September Brown Bag Lunch Series, a panel discussion: Meet the ABAA: Demystifying the Application Process. You'll gain insights into the present-day ABAA, membership benefits, and how to become a part of it. The panelists will include the president and the executive director of the ABAA, as well as ABAA members Robin Beck of Primary Sources and Sunday Steinkirchner of B & B Rare Books. The webinar is moderated by Lizzy Young, ABAA member and the Chair of the Gender Equity Initiative. September 24th @ 2 PM ET Meet the ABAA: Demystifying the Application Process CLICK HERE TO REGISTER Panelists: Alexander Akin, President (member since 2019) Alexander Akin, co-owner of Bolerium Books in San Francisco, specializes in radical political ephemera, Chinese books, and publications of Asian-American immigrant communities. He is the current president of the ABAA. Susan Benne, Executive Director Susan Benne has worked in the rare book trade for 25 years. She began her career cataloging children's and illustrated books for a rare bookseller in New York, then moved into managerial roles, first as the director of the New York Antiquarian Book Fair, then as th... [more September Brown Bag]

Edit: The recording of this event is now available on our YouTube channel. The Brown Bag Lunch Series, presented by the ABAA Gender Equity Initiative, is a series of short virtual talks covering various topics, from crash courses in areas of expertise to best business practices. Please join the Gender Equity Initiative on Zoom on Tuesday, August 27th, 2024, at 2 PM ET for a Brown Bag Lunch Series with Alexander Akin. Alexander Akin, co-owner of Bolerium Books and current president of the ABAA, worked as a professional numismatist before becoming involved in the book trade. In this talk, he will explore an area of personal interest at the intersection of these worlds: poetic inscriptions on currency. We will see Persian couplets celebrating everything from territorial conquest to love for a beautiful partner, expressions of passionate religious piety, and a classical Chinese poem turned into a numbering system in Korea. August 27th @ 2 PM ET At the Intersection of Literature and Numismatics: 1,600 Years of Poetry on Money Alexander Akin, Bolerium Books CLICK HERE TO REGISTER Alexander Akin, co-owner of Bolerium Books and current president of the ABAA, holds a BS in Anthropology from UC Riverside and a PhD in East Asian Languages and Civilizations from Harvard University. He worked as a professional numismatist before becoming involved in the book trade. Photo by Meredith Nierman. [more Brown Bag Series: August]

Meet the latest group of booksellers elected as members of the ABAA. Full Membership Obadiah Baird - The Book Bin For almost fifteen years Obadiah Baird has specialized in rare and collectible Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror, while also running The Book Bin's two large general interest shops in Salem and Corvallis Oregon. A second-generation member of the ABAA, Obadiah has exhibited with his father, at book fairs up and down the west coast and as far away as York England. With an eye towards attracting a new generation of collectors, he has expanded the kind of genre material you can expect to see at an Antiquarian Book Fair, placing signed first editions of popular current authors alongside classic works in the field. Now a full member of the ABAA in his own right, Obadiah looks forward to connecting collectors to the perfect book (or pulp magazine, or script, or fanzine) for years to come. Kevin Sell - The Rare Book Sleuth Kevin Sell is a bookseller with more than 15 years of professional bookselling experience. Born and raised in northern Minnesota, Kevin began his bookselling career at brick-and-mortar shops, selling both new and used books, before starting The Rare Book Sleuth, a full-service online bookshop. His primary focus is on modern first editions, with an emphasis on literature, science, philosophy and counterculture, although his generalist tendencies often find him expanding in new directions. Kevin holds degrees in philosophy and psychology, is a graduate ... [more New ABAA Members]

Edit: the recording of this event is now available on our YouTube channel: The Brown Bag Lunch Series, presented by the ABAA Gender Equity Initiative, is a series of short virtual talks covering various topics, from crash courses in areas of expertise to best business practices. Please join the Gender Equity Initiative on Zoom on July 31st, 2024, at 2 PM ET for a Brown Bag Lunch Series with Jim Owens of Thorn Books. During the session, Jim will delve into a short overview of paper marbling, from the earliest known types in Japan ('suminagashi') through the rise and development of 'Turkish' marbling ('ebru'), and finally, a brief look at some modern work by noted marbling artists. Along the way, we will visit the marbling processes, speak to at least the more common patterns, and examine a few reference books. July 31st @ 2 PM ET Jim Owens - Thorn Books Marbled Paper: When, Why, and How CLICK HERE TO REGISTER Jim Owens, Thorn Books Jim Owens, an associate member of the ABAA and a Principal at Thorn Books, and his wife Lynne Owens (full member) since 1987. Jim's educational journey is a testament to his intellectual curiosity, with an undergraduate degree from St. Mary's of Moraga in Philosophy, Latin, English, and Vertebrate Zoology. Jim, also a Doctorate of Jurisprudence from Ventura College of Law, has been involved in many volunteer works in public radio and television and for the Postal History Museum Foundation in Tucson, AZ. Beyond his professional pursuits, Jim's intere... [more July Brown Bag: Marbled Paper]

What's better: a simple author signature, or an inscription? As a longtime bookseller -- a veteran of Borders, Waldenbooks, and independent bookstores -- I thought I knew the answer. But, once I began working for antiquarian booksellers, I discovered the question is much more complex. A comment on the ABAA Facebook page recently asked why some booksellers appear to prefer plain signed books, rather than inscribed ones? While trying to find the answer, I encountered an interesting tale of changing fashions and the dark side of book collecting. The prevailing wisdom in literary circles over the past decade or two has been to ask an author for a plain signature when getting a book autographed (some collectors even purchase two copies, asking the author to inscribe one to them for their 'permanent collection,' and to simply sign their name to the other one, which they will hold onto in the hopes its value appreciates -- sellers of new books have no qualms about endorsing this point of view, although antiquarian booksellers know there is no certainty of modern firsts becoming valuable collectibles, and strongly caution collectors against viewing them as such). To my shame, I've organized and helped run hundreds of book signings and never previously gave this standard advice much thought. inscribed -- a book, or other printed piece, with a handwritten and signed statement usually written for a specific named person(s) and often located on the end paper or title page; when "inscribe... [more Signed Books Vs. Inscribed Books]

Edit: The recording of this event can be viewed on our YouTube channel or below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U43Q7qerAEI The Brown Bag Lunch Series, presented by the ABAA Gender Equity Initiative, is a series of short virtual talks covering various topics, from crash courses in areas of expertise to best business practices. Please join the Gender Equity Initiative on Zoom on June 19th, 2024, at 2 PM ET for a group panel with Zhenya Dzhavgova, Andy Nettell, and Lizzy Young on a discussion unveiling who they are and what they do aside from being a rare book dealer. June 19th, 2024, at 2 PM ET REGISTER HERE Zhenya Dzhavgova, ZH Books Zhenya was born and grew up in Bulgaria at the tail end of Communism, in the Valley of Roses, where the highest quality rose oil in the world is produced. Her hometown is also the geographical center of the country. She went to college in Sofia, the capital, graduated with a degree in computer engineering, then came to the US in 2003. She returned to school and worked as a nanny and high-school math tutor. In 2010, in between jobs, she had been buying books at estate sales for herself and occasionally selling them, so when she heard of CABS, she applied for a scholarship, and the rest was history. She became a member of the ABAA in 2016, the same year her beautiful daughter was born. In 2021, right in the middle of the pandemic, She got very sick but got better, and then exactly a year later, in 2022 - she got even sicker. Immediately after reco... [more June Brown Bag Lunch Series]

Edit: The recording of this event is now available on our YouTube channel... The Brown Bag Lunch Series, presented by the ABAA Gender Equity Initiative, is a series of short virtual talks covering various topics, from crash courses in areas of expertise to best business practices. Please join the Gender Equity Initiative on Zoom on May 29th, 2024, at 2 PM ET for a Brown Bag Lunch Series with Jim Owens of Thorn Books. During the session, Jim will delve into the historical significance of Victorian bookcloth, examining the factors that led to its emergence as a replacement for leather on books. He will explore the various types of Victorian bookcloths and provide insights into the reasons behind their usage. Additionally, Jim will shed light on the decline of Victorian bookcloth and its impact on bookbinding practices. May 29th @ 2 PM ET Jim Owens - Thorn Books The Invention and Demise of Victorian Bookcloth CLICK HERE TO REGISTER Jim Owens, Thorn Books Jim Owens, an associate member of the ABAA and a Principal at Thorn Books, and his wife Lynne Owens (full member) since 1987. Jim's educational journey is a testament to his intellectual curiosity, with an undergraduate degree from St. Mary's of Moraga in Philosophy, Latin, English, and Vertebrate Zoology. Jim, also a Doctorate of Jurisprudence from Ventura College of Law, has been involved in many volunteer works in public radio and television and for the Postal History Museum Foundation in Tucson, AZ. Beyond his professional p... [more May Brown Bag: Victorian Bookcloth]

The Raab Collection this year marks its 35th anniversary in the business of discovering, buying, and selling important historical documents and autographs. Founded in 1989 by Steven S. Raab, an attorney and collector, the company has since grown into an international firm, serving both private collectors and major institutions around the world. To celebrate this milestone, Raab has updated and refreshed its notable website, and throughout this season will curate a collection and exhibition, “35 for 35,” that celebrates its role in uncovering pieces of history and unveils some documents never before offered for sale and others last on the market a century ago or more. It will also feature periodic articles on the history of the business written by Steven S. Raab. 35 for 35: Historical Discoveries Historical discovery is a key part of what they do at Raab. Much of what they offer has been acquired from prominent historical families, including descendants of presidents, Revolutionary War and Civil War figures, scientific greats, owners of old European chateaus, great generals from America and Europe, and Civil Rights trailblazers. Many of these items have not been on the market in a century, or, in some cases, have never before been offered for sale. With a nod toward this, The Raab Colelction are marking their anniversary with the launch of “35 for 35”: A selection of historical discoveries introduced in the past year, as well as some that will be revealed for the first... [more Raab Collection Celebrates 35 Years]

Countee Cullen's Color has been reported missing from the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center collection. The book appears to have been sold by an auction house, and the University seeks information about its whereabouts. Please contact us if you have any information. First edition, first printing in dustjacket of Harlem Renaissance author Cullen's first book, including more than 70 poems. Inscribed to Augustus Granville Dill. Copy contains bookplate of the Arthur B. Spingarn Collection of Negro Literature. [more Missing from Howard University: Countee Cullen’s Color]

Fall 2024 ABAA Diversity Initiative Discovery Program Program Overview The ABAA Diversity Initiative is proud to announce the first season of a guided discovery program for those historically underrepresented among workers in the trade—black, indigenous, people of color, and the LGBTQ+ community. Designed to co-occur with annual ABAA book fairs, the program offers an introduction to antiquarian book fairs, career insight with ABAA members, visits to local ABAA member open shops/offices, networking with institution professionals, and more. This Fall Diversity Discovery Program offers stipends of up to $2,500 to two individuals to visit the Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair (November 8-10, 2024) during the week of the fair. Students will be guided by an ABAA member and with an itinerary of multiple networking activities. Program Date: November 6-10, 2024 Application Prerequisites � Self-identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and/or person of color) and/or LGBTQ+. � Minimum requirement of a high school diploma, OR currently enrolled student in any degree program (undergrads, Masters, PhD), OR recent graduate (< 1-year post-grad). � Applicants must be passionate about books, archival/library sciences, and/or bookselling. � Applicants must be able to travel and arrange their transportation and accommodation. Application: https://forms.gle/LCMMaS9Xqus2UG2P7 Application Deadline: August 16, 2024 *This application requires supplementary materials, so files will be uploaded ... [more ABAA Diversity Initiative Discovery Program]