Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America

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Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America
AbbreviationABAA
Formation1949
Type Trade association
Legal status Nonprofit organization
PurposePromote interest in rare books
Headquarters20 West 44th Street, #507
New York, NY 10036
Region served
United States
Membership
US antiquarian booksellers
Affiliations International League of Antiquarian Booksellers
Website abaa.org

The Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America (ABAA) is an organization in the United States for dealers in rare and antiquarian books. The association is a member of the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB).

Contents

History

Founded in 1949, the ABAA is the benchmark for professionalism and ethics in the rare book trade in the US. [1] The founding of the ABAA was the direct result of the founding of the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB) a year earlier: "It was quickly recognized in the United States that national and international cooperation among booksellers was an idea whose time had come and that an American association was vital for the interests of professional booksellers." [1] An organizational meeting was held in New York City in 1949 to discuss the advisability of forming a national organization, with about 50 dealers in attendance, with Marston Drake (James F. Drake, Inc.) acting as informal chairman. The Antiquarian Bookman (later AB Bookman's Weekly) reported in its issue of 5 March 1949 that "A great step forward towards the establishment of a genuine national association of antiquarian booksellers was taken" at this meeting, though "it was recognized that there were a great many differences, a long backlog of personal disputes and dissensions and an enormous field of individual views and prejudices" to deal with. "It was also recognized that all the above were some of the very reasons why a national association of antiquarian booksellers had to be formed: not merely to reconcile the differences but also to advance book-buying, to promote book-collecting, so that all would benefit from such increased activity in the book field." The first general meeting of the new association took place in March, with 81 dealers in attendance; annual dues were set at $10/year. [1] The first president of the ABAA was Laurence Gomme (Brentano's).

"Book fairs are such a major element in the activities and functions of the present-day ABAA," writes Edwin Glaser (President of ABAA, 1986–88) "that it still comes as a surprise to be reminded that the first American antiquarian book fair did not take place until April of 1960." [1] Encouraged by the success of the first British fair the previous year, the New York fair, held in the un-air-conditioned Steinway Hall on West 57th Street, featured 23 dealers occupying 20 booths. [2] The fair opened with a 5pm preview on April 4, and ran for 12 hours/day for five more days, from 10am–10 pm; admission was free. Describing the event many years later, Madeleine B. Stern (Rostenberg & Stern) writes:

Before the fair opened, a few minutes before 5 p.m., Leona [Rostenberg] wondered out loud what we had all wondered silently: would our fair attract any visitors at all? Then, before I had realized it, she had ducked outside to see whether anyone had come. When she returned, her face reflected radiance and disbelief. ‘They're standing in line to get in! There are crowds outside!’ Despite rain and storm, the jams of people on opening night filled us with incredulity and exuberance. [3]

ABAA-sponsored antiquarian book fairs have prospered since 1960, as has the ABAA itself; the organization currently has more than 450 members.

Activities

New York Antiquarian Book Fair in 2020 Antiquarian Book Fair (88401).jpg
New York Antiquarian Book Fair in 2020

The non-profit organization's more than 450 members deal in rare books, autographs, historical documents, prints, and maps, and its members have provided guidance in building the world's foremost private and institutional collections. In addition to sales and guidance, many members offer appraisals. The association maintains a website [4] featuring educational articles and resources about the rare book trade, as well as a searchable membership database. [5] The website's database of books for sale [6] lists approximately two million fine and rare books for sale by members. The ABAA also publishes an annual membership directory and a quarterly online newsletter. [7] The association created the Elisabeth Woodburn Fund in honor of a past president of the association which periodically offers scholarships to members and non-members to further their education in the trade. [8] The association's Benevolent Fund offers financial assistance to member and non-member booksellers in times of hardship. The ABAA is a sponsor, with FABS (Fellowship of American Bibliophilic Societies) and The Center for the Book and Rare Book and Manuscript Division in the Library of Congress, of the National Collegiate Book Collecting Contest. [9]

Book fairs

The ABAA currently hosts three antiquarian book fairs per year: California in February (Los Angeles and San Francisco in alternating years), New York in April, and Boston in November. Exhibitors must be members of the ABAA or of an ILAB association.

Website

The ABAA has an e-commerce website hosted by Bibliopolis and Biblio.com which exhibits members' books for sale. [10] The site, launched in 2009, features over 2 million rare books from 200 of its members and has full search, browse and e-commerce capabilities.

Membership

Applicants must have been in the business of rare books or printed matter a minimum of four years, be sponsored by three current members, and provide three references as basic requirements for membership. [11] The ABAA has a comprehensive code of ethics [12] by which all of its members must abide, requiring authentication and accurate description of all items offered for sale.

See also

Related Research Articles

The International League of Antiquarian Booksellers is a non-profit umbrella organization of bookseller associations, with its legal location in Geneva, Switzerland. It federates 22 National Associations of Antiquarian Booksellers, representing nearly 2000 dealers in 32 countries. Antiquarian booksellers affiliated to the League adhere to the ILAB Code of Ethics, and the League aims to server as a global network for the rare book trade.

The Antiquarian Booksellers' Association (ABA) is the senior trade body in the British Isles for dealers in antiquarian and rare books, manuscripts and allied materials. The ABA organises a number of book fairs every year including its flagship fair held at Olympia, London in May, which features exhibitors from all around the world, and the Chelsea Antiquarian Book Fair in November. Fairs are held in Edinburgh in March and Bristol in July in conjunction with the Provincial Book Fairs Association. The ABA sponsors the London Rare Books School, the York Antiquarian Book Seminar, and a series of seminars at the University of London. The ABA Office is located on Bell Yard, off Fleet Street and next to the Royal Courts of Justice.

The antiquarian book trade in the United States is an aspect of book collecting and publishing. The term antiquarian, in general, refers to antiquities and collectible items usually considered old and rare, usually in reference to books, but is not limited to books. The word antiquarian could also be used to describe a person who collects rare books or other antique items.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Attic Books</span> Book store

Attic Books is one of Canada's largest independent used bookstores in London, Ontario, Canada. It specializes in antiquarian books, maps, prints, and ephemera.

The Danish Antiquarian Booksellers' Association is a Danish organization of professional antiquarian booksellers. It is the oldest league of antiquarian booksellers in Scandinavia as well as one of the oldest of its kind in the world, only preceded by the English ABA and the French SLAM. The purpose of the association is to standardize the descriptions of books, preserve and develop the trade, and represent the trade to the public. All ABF members are bound to adhere to the ILAB Code of Ethics.

La Chambre Professionelle Belge de la Librairie Ancienne et Moderne (CLAM)/Belgische Beroepskamer van Antiquaren (BBA), is the Belgian professional chamber of antiquarian booksellers.

Nederlandsche Vereeniging van Antiquaren (NVvA), the Dutch antiquarian booksellers' association, was founded in 1935 with the object of promoting reliability in the trade of old books and prints.

Vereinigung der Buchantiquare und Kupferstichhändler in der Schweiz (VEBUKU), the antiquarian booksellers association of Switzerland, was founded in 1939 and has been a member of the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB) since 1947.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Associazione Librai Antiquari d'Italia</span>

The Associazione dei Librai Antiquari d'Italia (ALAI), the national antiquarian book association of Italy, was founded in 1947 as Circolo dei Librai Antiquari.

Swann Galleries is a New York City auction house founded in 1941. It is a specialist auctioneer of antique and rare works on paper, and it is considered the oldest continually operating New York specialist auction house.

Adrian Harrington is a notable antiquarian bookseller, a Past President of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association (ABA), 2001–2003, and a recent Past President of the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB). He has exhibited at major international book fairs in America, Canada, Hong Kong, Britain and Ireland, and between 2000 and 2010 Harrington was the chairman of Britain's leading rare book event, the summer ABA Book Fair at Olympia, London. During his tenure, it was host to opening speakers including authors Jacqueline Wilson, Lynda La Plante, Joanna Lumley, Bob Geldof, Jeremy Paxman, Andrew Marr, Barry Humphries, Frederick Forsyth and former Poet Laureate Sir Andrew Motion. Harrington has been a regular consultant on rare books for Millers Price Guide, and has been interviewed on book-related matters by the BBC, and Australian Television

Leona Rostenberg was an independent scholar and rare books dealer born in New York, New York.

Madeleine Bettina Stern, born in New York, New York, was an independent scholar and rare book dealer. She graduated from Barnard College in 1932 with a B.A. in English literature. She received her M.A. in English literature from Columbia University in 1934. Stern was particularly known for her work on the writer Louisa May Alcott. She received a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1943 to write a biography of Alcott, which was eventually published in 1950. In 1945, she and her friend Leona Rostenberg opened Rostenberg & Stern Books. Rostenberg and Stern were active members of the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America, at a time when few women were members. The pair lived and worked in Rostenberg's house in the Bronx. They were known for creating unique rare book catalogs. In 1960, Stern helped found the New York Antiquarian Book Fair.

The Independent Online Booksellers Association (IOBA) is an international trade association of independent used and rare booksellers who sell online. IOBA is dedicated to ethical business practices that promote customer confidence. The organization offers members scholarships for continuing education, a mentorship program, resources for booksellers, and a virtual community for discussions on all aspects of the bookselling profession. With a diverse international membership of over 350 booksellers, IOBA members created and follow standards for ethical and safe bookselling online. Members must provide clear and accurate descriptions and prompt shipping with fair return policies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Biblio.com</span>

Biblio is a privately owned international online marketplace specializing in rare and collectible books. Biblio was established in 2000 in Asheville, North Carolina, by Brendan Sherar and Michael Tracey. Biblio also provides e-commerce solutions and web services to multiple professional bookseller associations, including the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America (ABAA), the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB), the Antiquarian Booksellers Association (ABA), and the Australian and New Zealand Association of Antiquarian Booksellers (ANZAAB).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenneth Karmiole</span>

Kenneth Karmiole is an American bookseller and philanthropist. He is President of Kenneth Karmiole, Bookseller, Inc., located in Santa Monica, California, established in 1976, an antiquarian bookselling firm specializing in early printed books and manuscripts.

The Colorado Antiquarian Book Seminar, founded in the late 1970s, provides training for dealers in out-of-print, used, and antiquarian books.

Robert Frew is an antiquarian bookseller, founder of Robert Frew Ltd, a Past President of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association (www.aba.org.uk) (2005-2007) and a former chairman of the London International Antiquarian Book Fair (2009-2010), Britain’s premier antiquarian book fair held annually at the Olympia Exhibition Centre, London. Robert Frew is also the founder of London-based shipping and logistics company RF Shipping.

Oak Knoll is a bookseller and publisher based in New Castle, Delaware, United States. Oak Knoll includes Oak Knoll Books which specializes in the sale of rare and antiquarian books and Oak Knoll Press which is a publisher and distributor of in-print titles. Both divisions specialize in "books about books" on topics such as printing history, bibliography, and book arts. Oak Knoll has also been the sponsor of the book arts festival Oak Knoll Fest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin G. Schiller</span>

Justin Galland Schiller is an American bookseller specializing in rare and collectible children's books; proprietor during his student days under his own name (1960–69), then Justin G. Schiller, Ltd. (1969–2020). Headquartered in New York City, it was the oldest specialist firm in the United States, focusing on historical and collectible children's books, related original art, and manuscripts. In 1988, he formed a second corporation—Battledore Ltd, with his partner and spouse Dennis M V David, to further specialize in original children's book illustration art and the legacy of Maurice Sendak.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Glaser, Edwin V. "The ABAA at Fifty: Notes Toward a History of the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America". Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America. Archived from the original on 21 August 2009. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
  2. ↑ Bennett, Stuart (2010). "The Fiftieth Anniversary of the New York Antiquarian Book Fair". Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America. Archived from the original on 23 May 2010. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
  3. ↑ Rostenberg, Leona; Madeleine B. Stern (1997). Old Books, Rare Friends: Two Literary Sleuths and Their Shared Passion . Doubleday. ISBN   978-0-385-48514-2.
  4. ↑ http://www.abaa.org/>
  5. ↑ "Search for Booksellers - ABAA Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America - Search for Rare, Used and Antiquarian Books". Archived from the original on 2010-11-27. Retrieved 2010-12-02.>
  6. ↑ http://www.abaa.org/usedbooksearch.bib>
  7. ↑ "E-Newsletter Vol. 6 - ABAA Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America - Search for Rare, Used and Antiquarian Books". Archived from the original on 2010-11-23. Retrieved 2010-12-02.>
  8. ↑ "Contributions - ABAA Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America - Search for Rare, Used and Antiquarian Books". Archived from the original on 2010-10-23. Retrieved 2010-12-02.>
  9. ↑ "Book Collecting Contest - ABAA Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America - Search for Rare, Used and Antiquarian Books". Archived from the original on 2010-10-27. Retrieved 2010-12-02.>
  10. ↑ Fine Press Book Association, <http://fpba.com/blog/?tag=bibliocom> accessed 11-2-8.
  11. ↑ "How to Join - ABAA Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America - Search for Rare, Used and Antiquarian Books". Archived from the original on 2010-10-23. Retrieved 2010-12-02.>
  12. ↑ "Code of Ethics - ABAA Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America - Search for Rare, Used and Antiquarian Books". Archived from the original on 2010-11-05. Retrieved 2010-12-02.>
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