Bookseller News



Michael Ginsberg ABAA Video Archives

By Susan Benne

Take a moment to check out some of the interviews from Mike Ginsberg's Video Archive Project. With the help of Taylor Bowie and Kara McLaughlin, Mike produced almost 100 interviews with ABAA members, and hoped to eventually complete 200-250 videos. These interviews provide a wonderful snapshot of the rich history of both the ABAA and the rare book trade. We thank Mike for his hard work on the project, which continued until his passing in 2023. You can also view ILAB Booksellers on Video [more Michael Ginsberg ABAA Video Archives]



Very Rare Mormon Text Offered on eBay

By Susan Benne

An extremely rare Mormon book, an 1837 first edition Parley P. Pratt's A Voice of Warning, has been offered for sale on eBay with a buy-it-now price tag of $75,000; at auction, the book would be expected to bring in between $75,000-$100,000. The Library of Congress, the Community of Christ (formerly the RDLS Church), the LDS Church and Brigham Young University all have at least one first edition copy of A Voice of Warning, but there have only been three public sales of the edition in the past two decades. After his baptism as a Mormon in 1830, Pratt delved into the religion and was called to be a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1835, and soon thereafter became the most influential writer in early Mormonism (he was dubbed "the Father of Mormon Pamphleteering"). A Voice of Warning "established the basic arguments and expository formulas for Mormon missionary tracts", and is a very influential piece of work, considered by some bibliographers to be "the most significant book in all of Mormon literature after the canonized scripture." The seller says that "all offers will be reviewed" and is not charging for shippinghe or she will personally deliver the book to anywhere in the world. One of the Rarest of the Rare Mormon Antiquarian Books on eBay for the First Time Parley Parker Pratt A Voice Of Warning 1837 Mormon Pratt LDS Rare Book [more Very Rare Mormon Text Offered on eBay]



Member in the News: Ken Gloss

By Susan Benne

On October 28th, Ken Gloss will be giving a free lecture at the Hingham Public Library entitled, "Is There Value in Your Old and Used Books?". The link provides a profile of Ken as well as more information on the lecture. Ken Gloss coming to Hingham Public Library Brattle Book Shop [more Member in the News: Ken Gloss]



Unique Theft of a Rare Book from an ABAA Member

By Susan Benne

Today in Marin County, an alleged book thief is scheduled to be arraigned on charges of Grand Theft, after he stole a rare book by ingesting it (yes- he ate it). Three weeks ago, the Heldfond Book Gallery contacted authorities to report the theft of a first edition of H.G. Wells' The Invisible Man. The staff was able to give a detailed description of the suspected culprit, who was behaving in a strange manner and had handled the book shortly before it disappeared. Police apprehended the suspect at the Eco Green Zen Calm cafe, where he was curled up in a booth and complaining of severe stomach cramps. The suspect was take to Marin County Hospital, where an x-ray was administered in an attempt to find the root of his pain. This is what they found:ER physician Dr. Leo McCoy said of the discovery, "We've seen many different and weird things wind up in people's stomachs over the years, but this was a real shocker." Becky Thatcher, Heldfond Book Gallery Manager, called the suspect, who has been identified as John W. Booth, an unemployed actor form San Francisco, "the Houdini of book thieves." UPDATE: Well, looks like I have been fooled (and in front of all the members before we've even met!). I spoke with Erik and apparently this story is only the creative work of an employee at Heldfond Book Gallery. Logic failed me, even while writing and wondering how anyone could possibly manage to swallow a book. Does anyone else have any strange but true stories of theft? Brazen Thief Ingests... [more Unique Theft of a Rare Book from an ABAA Member]