The ABAA has recently approved several new members, all of whom have successfully proven themselves to be, in the words of the ABAA Guarantee "established, knowledgeable, and of excellent reputation." These new members were sponsored by existing members, and have undergone a rigorous screening process. We welcome the newest members of the ABAA. FULL MEMBERS: Sammy Blade Berk of Harlan J. Berk, Ltd. Sammy Berk is the head of the Harlan J. Berk, Ltd. Antique Map department. Harlan J. Berk, Ltd. is a family owned and operated business founded in 1964. Today we have a store front in the heart of downtown Chicago, with nearly 20 employees and specialize in a wide array of collectibles, including Ancient Coins, U.S. Coins and Currency, World Coins, Antiquities, Paintings, Antique Maps and Prints. Aside from becoming a new member of the ABAA and... [more New Members: February 2015]

Exhibiting booksellers at the 48th annual California International Antiquarian Book Fair have announced some unusual and notable items that will be for sale at the fair (being held at the Marriott Oakland City Center, Oakland, CA from February 6 to 8, 2015). Some of these special items include: Overdue Bar Tab Invoice for Jimi Hendrix, 1969 “Even the world's greatest rock guitarist can forget to pay his tab once in a while. Hendrix spent a Halloween evening at “The Scene” nightclub in New York in 1969, and apparently, skipped out on his tab. The invoice for $44.25 is from owner Steve Paul stating that “The Scene needs the money badly. Your beverage tab is Past Due.” Hopefully he left a tip!” (Schubertiade Music & Arts LLC, Booth 106, $1,200) The First English Sex Manual from 1684 “Entitled Aristotle's Masterpiece, although n... [more CA Book Fair 2015: Featured Items]

We are just weeks away from the 48th California International Antiquarian Book Fair (February 6-8, 2015), the world's great Northern California rare book fair, and organizers have an extensive schedule of special events and seminars to surprise and delight both experienced collectors and those curious to begin. This year, the festival moves to a new location in historic Oakland, CA, affording easy access and superb facilities at the Oakland Marriott City Center. Along with exhibits by over 185 rare book dealers from the U.S. and abroad, there are many special events planned: Lecture by Daniel De Simone Saturday, February 7 at 1pm The ABAA and the Bibliographical Society of America are sponsoring a lecture on “Building New Audiences for Rare Books” by Daniel De Simone, Eric Weinmann Librarian at the Folger Shakespeare Museum. Education... [more 48th Annual California Antiquarian Book Fair]

The 48th California International Antiquarian Book Fair kicks off on February 6, 2015. One of the keynote events at the fair is a presentation on Jack London's photography, by archivist and noted London expert Sara S. Hodson. Jack London (1876-1916) is now best known for stories and novels like The Call of the Wild and The Sea Wolf, as well as his many adventures as a sailor, Klondike gold-seeker, and rancher, but in the early years of the 20th century, he was a noted journalist and photographer, reporting from around the world for the Hearst syndicate. His negatives are now housed with the California Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Huntington Library holds 12,000 printed photographs. (ABAA members occasionally offer some of his photographs.) London's vivid, sensitive photographs capture the homeless of Great Britain in 1902, ... [more Jack London, Photographer]

Reading resolutions are becoming more common. Following the VIDA report on the paucity of reviews for books by women versus books by men in national newspapers and magazines, a lot of people resolved to read only women authors in 2014. Others resolved to read only young adult fiction, or to spend a year re-reading their favorite books. I usually tread the well-worn path of reading whatever I feel like, and end up with mostly new fiction and nonfiction, with a few old favorites thrown into the mix -- along with whatever books my teenagers tell me are "really cool." This year, I've resolved to read all of Colm Tóibín's fiction, and as much of his nonfiction as I can manage. Why Colm Tóibín? Well to start with, I'm Irish, and primarily read Irish writers. Colm Tóibín has become perhaps the finest Irish novelist currently working, and m... [more Reading Resolution: The Year of Colm Tóibín]

This week's news that President Obama will end the 54-year-old American trade embargo against Cuba and restore diplomatic relations marks a major change in Cuban-American relations. ABAA members have many fascinating items that chart the ebb and flow of American involvement in Cuba over the twentieth century, and a search for items relating to Cuba on our website can be a fascinating exercise. Members have documents signed by Fulgencio Batista, Fidel Castro, and Che Guevera, along with other participants on both sides of Cuban history. Letter signed by all Moncada prisoners, including Fidel Castro (1953) Archive of Documents relating to the Bay of Pigs invasion... Documents relating to Hemingway's time living in Cuba are enlightening, both for students of the great author's career and those interested in Cuban politics. Ernest Hemingway d... [more Cuba: Items of Historical Interest]

Update on Proposed Internet Sales Tax Legislation Internet Sales Tax—What is it? Presently, catalog and online sellers must collect sales and use taxes only in states where they have a physical presence. In states where sellers don't have a physical presence, the responsibility falls on consumers to pay a use tax directly to the states in which they reside. Since the vast majority of consumers don't do that, legislation called The Marketplace Fairness Act has been proposed to shift the responsibility from consumers to sellers by allowing states to collect taxes from out-of-state “remote sellers” that have no physical presence in their state. Where does the proposed law stand now? In May 2013 the Senate, but not the House, passed the Marketplace Fairness Act. The Act contains an exemption for small businesses and calls for states to ... [more Update on Proposed Internet Sales Tax Legislation]

The ABAA has recently admitted three new members, Don Myers, of Pacific Coast Books, Ezra Tishman of Aardvark Books, and Nicole Reiss of Brattle Book Shop. Full Members: Don Myers (Pacific Coast Books) Don Myers established Pacific Coast Books in 2000 and actively sells books at west coast book fairs. In 2009, after a 25 year career serving as Executive Director for national non- profit organizations, he opened a book store store three blocks from the Pacific Ocean in Lincoln City, Oregon. Don's specialty is Pacific Voyages and Exploration, Zamorano 80 titles along with west coast history. He looks forward to participating in ABAA Book Fairs and issuing several catalogues in the near future when not chasing grandchildren down the beach with his wife Merilee. Ezra Tishman (Aardvark Books) Beset by chronic bibliophilia in his early twenties... [more New Members: December 2014]

ABAA member and children's book expert Chris Loker, owner of San Francisco's Children's Book Gallery, has curated a new exhibition opening on December 10th at the Grolier Club in New York City. One Hundred Books Famous in Children's Literature showcases seminal books that have proven to be landmarks in children's publishing. The exhibition includes such beloved books as Robinson Crusoe, Grimm's Fairy Tales, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Tom Sawyer, Treasure Island, Peter Rabbit, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Peter Pan, Winnie-the-Pooh, Charlotte's Web, The Cat in the Hat, Where the Wild Things Are, and Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Curator and children's book authority Chris Loker has secured loans from major institutions throughout North America for this exhibition, including the American Antiquarian Society, Beinecke Rare ... [more Exhibition: 100 Famous Children’s Books]

ABAA members are not only experts in their fields, but also very involved in scholarship and philanthropy. Here are some of the many ways members have been in the headlines this past month. New Mark Twain Plagiarism Scandal Exposed Antiquarian bookseller and scholar Kevin Mac Donnell uncovered unacknowledged copying in a new book about Mark Twain from the Library of Congress. McDonnell identified numerous passages copied from another book on Twain, and other scholars following up on his work have identified further instances. Read more... What Makes Rare Books Rare? During the recent Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair, members Ken Gloss & Seth Kaller discussed rare books with WGBG. Listen to the interview... PEN America-Fundraising Auction ABAA members Between the Covers, Aleph-Bet Books, The Captain's Bookshelf, and Jo Ann Reisle... [more Members in the News]