Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America
Encyclopedia
The Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America (ABAA) is an organization of rare and antiquarian book dealers.
in the US. 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.” 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. 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.” Encouraged by the success of the first British fair the previous year, the New York fair, held in the un-air-conditioned Stineway Hall on West 57th Street, featured 23 dealers occupying 20 booths. 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:
ABAA-sponsored antiquarian book fairs have prospered since 1960, as has the ABAA itself; the organization currently has more than 450 members.
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.
which exhibits members' books for sale. 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.
History
Founded in 1949, the ABAA is the benchmark for professionalism and ethics in the rare book tradeAntiquarian book trade in the United States
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...
in the US. The founding of the ABAA was the direct result of the founding of the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers
International League of Antiquarian Booksellers
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...
(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.” 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. 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.” Encouraged by the success of the first British fair the previous year, the New York fair, held in the un-air-conditioned Stineway Hall on West 57th Street, featured 23 dealers occupying 20 booths. 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.
ABAA-sponsored antiquarian book fairs have prospered since 1960, as has the ABAA itself; the organization currently has more than 450 members.
Activities
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 featuring educational articles and resources about the rare book trade, as well as a searchable membership database. The website's database of books for sale 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. 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. 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.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 also has an e-commerce website hosted by Bibliopolis and Biblio.comBiblio.com
Biblio.com is the third largest used book marketplaces in the US. Established in 2003 in Asheville, NC, Biblio.com has grown to become one of the largest global book marketplaces, with over 50 million books for sale from over 5,000 booksellers in countries around the world.-A used book...
which exhibits members' books for sale. 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. The ABAA has a comprehensive code of ethics by which all of its members must abide, requiring authentication and accurate description of all items offered for sale.See also
- International League of Antiquarian BooksellersInternational League of Antiquarian BooksellersThe 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...
- Australian and New Zealand Association of Antiquarian BooksellersAustralian and New Zealand Association of Antiquarian BooksellersThe Australian and New Zealand Association of Antiquarian Booksellers , formed in 1977, is the professional body which represents the members of the antiquarian book business in Australia and New Zealand. It aims to promote the standing, welfare, and growth of the local antiquarian book business...
- Antiquarian Booksellers Association of AustriaAntiquarian Booksellers Association of AustriaThe Antiquarian Booksellers Association of Austria, formed in 1949, includes those Austrian antiquarian booksellers who exclusively or primarily buy and sell antiquarian books, magazines, prints, autograph letters or music....
- Antiquarian Booksellers AssociationAntiquarian Booksellers AssociationThe Antiquarian Booksellers Association is the senior trade body in the British Isles for dealers in antiquarian and rare books, manuscripts and allied materials.-History:It was founded in 1906 and is the oldest organization of its kind in the world...
- Syndicat National de la Librairie Ancienne et Moderne (SLAM)Syndicat National de la Librairie Ancienne et Moderne (SLAM)Syndicat National de la Librairie Ancienne et Moderne , the national antiquarian book association of France, was created in 1914.Its primary objectives is to make the public aware of the world of antique books...
- Antiquarian Booksellers Association of CanadaAntiquarian Booksellers Association of CanadaThe Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of Canada is the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers’ affiliated organization of professional antiquarian booksellers in Canada...
- Danish Antiquarian Booksellers AssociationDanish Antiquarian Booksellers AssociationThe Danish Antiquarian Booksellers' Association , is the premier 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...
- Belgian Antiquarian Booksellers AssociationBelgian Antiquarian Booksellers AssociationLa Chambre Professionelle Belge de la Librairie Ancienne et Moderne /Belgische Beroepskamer van Antiquaren , is the Belgian professional chamber of antiquarian booksellers....
- Antiquarian Booksellers Association of JapanAntiquarian Booksellers Association of JapanThe Antiquarian Booksellers Association of Japan was established in November 1964 by ten major antiquarian booksellers from Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto...
- Antiquarian Booksellers Association of KoreaAntiquarian Booksellers Association of KoreaThe Antiquarian Booksellers Association of Korea , the national antiquarian book association of Korea, was founded in 1989 and joined the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers in 1990 during the Tokyo Congress, thus becoming its 18th member....
- Nederlandsche Vereeniging van AntiquarenNederlandsche Vereeniging van AntiquarenNederlandsche Vereeniging van Antiquaren , the Dutch antiquarian booksellers' association, was founded in 1935 with the object of promoting reliability in the trade of old books and prints.-History:...
- Vereinigung der Buchantiquare und Kupferstichhändler in der SchweizVereinigung der Buchantiquare und Kupferstichhändler in der SchweizVereinigung der Buchantiquare und Kupferstichhändler in der Schweiz , the antiquarian booksellers association of Switzerland, was founded in 1939 and has been a member of the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers since 1947....