Rare Book and Manuscript Cataloguer In our fifty years in business, Donald Heald Rare Books has established itself as one of the leading authorities on fine antiquarian books, manuscripts, prints, drawings and maps. From Donald Heald Rare Books' beginnings in London in the early 1970s, to our present location on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, we have honed our specialized knowledge of Americana and Canadiana, voyages and travels, illustrated books, prints, maps and atlases. We have also been fortunate to have contributed to some of the most important public collections worldwide and built some of the finest private collections. Our inventory is unrivalled in content and quality, our client service is of the very highest standard, and our genuine enthusiasm for our remarkable material is unmatched. Rare Book and Manuscript Cataloguer responsibilities: Cataloging of new acquisitions Researching histories of individual items and their creators, authors, artists, etc. Working with owner to craft accurate, engaging descriptions of new materials Organization and management of private library catalogues Inventory acquisition and sales Creating new catalogues and posting on our website and Internet bookselling sites. Professional and effective correspondence with fellow rare books professionals, prominent auction houses, and private clients from all over the world Physical, database and website maintenance of large inventory of books, maps, and prints Meeting with clients in perso... [more Job Posting: Donald A. Heald Rare Books is Hiring a Rare Book and Manuscript Cataloguer]

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]

Join the ABAA-Public Google Group, a listserv where ABAA members announce select books for sale, share information on their participation in upcoming book fairs, and showcase their recent catalogs! The ABAA-Public Google Group is a read-only email group, so email traffic is kept to a minimum and only ABAA members can announce books for sale — ensuring all items are in full compliance with our Code of Ethics. Subscribers to the group can opt to receive emails individually, or have each day's emails combined into a daily digest to limit the number of emails they receive. Subscribing to the ABAA-Public Google Group You must have a Google Account to subscribe to receive emails from the ABAA-Public Google Group. You can create a Google Account without changing your non-Google email address here. Once logged in to your Google account, you can request to join the ABAA-Public Google Group by clicking the "Ask to Join Group" button. You can also request to be added by writing to hq@abaa.org... More information on Google Groups can be found here. [more Introducing the ABAA-Public Google Group]

ABAA members provide a few pointers for beginning collectors who might be considering attending an antiquarian book fair for the first time. Members Lorne Bair, Michael Hackenberg, and John Windle provide some advice gleaned from decades of book fair attendance. Ask Questions/Develop Relationships with the Dealers Veteran bookseller John Windle notes that "a good, close, trusting connection to a dealer will yield the best possible results," so book fairs present a valuable opportunity to get to know many dealers, and let them get to know you and your interests as a collector. Lorne Bair agrees, adding that his "number one piece of advice to beginning collectors attending their first book fair is to ask questions! Antiquarian booksellers as a rule get very few opportunities to talk about their books with people who are genuinely interested. Book fairs are the one environment where they can open up, share their experience and expertise, and communicate with members of the public who share an enthusiasm for what they do." However, don't mistake the museum-quality artefacts with a museum's explicit invitation to stand around and admire all day. The object of book fairs is to sell books -- how else will the dealers be able to buy more books? Many dealers have traveled a long way to offer their particular treasures at the fair. On the other hand, booksellers are eager to establish relationships with collectors and would-be collectors, and are generally happy to talk books and share... [more Attending Your First Book Fair]

UPDATE: The items below have been recovered. ________________ The following has been reported missing in transit from New York City to San Diego, CA, shipped via UPS: John Gould's Birds of Europe Three Volumes (of Five) green leather bindings with gold tooling (see attached images) Please contact the firm directly if you know the whereabouts of this material: Harry S. Newman The Old Print Shop, Inc. 49 West 24th St., 2nd Floor New York, NY 10010 (212) 683-3950. Ext 109 hnewman@oldprintshop.net [more UPDATE: Missing in Transit: John Gould’s Birds of Europe]

The upcoming 55th California International Antiquarian Book Fair (February 10-12 at the Pasadena Convention Center, Pasadena, CA) will feature several special exhibitions including: Helen Brown: Bibliophile and Champion of West Coast Cuisine Paying homage to Helen Brown, the inventor of “California Cuisine,” this event will include some of Brown's inscribed material, her correspondence with fellow iconic food writer, M.F.K. Fisher, copies of The Californian Magazine featuring Brown's column, and books given to Helen Brown inscribed by James Beard, Alice B. Toklas, and other food luminaries. Curated by Randy Tarpey-Schwed. The Game's Afoot: Collecting Sherlock Holmes Drawing on the Ned Guymon Collection of Mystery and Detective Fiction at Occidental College, this exhibition will focus on the collection's Sherlock Holmes holdings, featuring first edition books, magazines, and rare, fascinating ephemera. Curated by Helena de Lemos, from the Special Collections Department at Occidental College. What the Hell is Ukulele Literature? Prior to its current status as an international phenomenon, the ukulele has a long history of not being taken seriously; this exhibition will try to right that wrong. Curated by Jim Tranquada. Pushing the Envelope: Southern California Women Bookmakers Posing the question “What is bookness?”, this exhibit, curated by renowned bookmaking and artist book expert Kitty Maryatt, explores books made by Southern California women letterpress printers, c... [more Special Events at the California Book Fair]

The following has been reported missing, possibly stolen from Amatoria Fine Art Books in Sacramento: LOT OF THREE BOOKS, published by D. Appleton, 1896, two-volume Origin of the Species, one-vol Descent of Man. Quarterbound in oxblood, red, blue and yellow marbled boards. Very Good condition overall. 8" x 5 1/2" half leather over marbled paper over boards, gilt lettering to spines and TEG, darkened spines, some shelf wear to edges, rubbed tips exposing boards, The Origin of Species Vol I and II have chips to top of spine exposing the headband affecting 1" of spine lettering on Vol II, rubbing to hinges of Origin of Species Vol I. Descent of Man has chips to top of spine not affecting lettering. Ink stain to bottom edge of some pages in Descent of Man, ink stain to bottom margin on pages 30-31 and 52, not affecting text. Previous owner bookplate affixed to front pastedown of all three books (Henry J. Godfrey, M.D.). The number 233 is written in the bottom margin of the Contents in The Origin of Species Vol I and the number 234 appears in the bottom margin of the Contents in Vol II. The number 242 is written in the bottom margin of the Preface to the Second Edition. Very light toning to interiors, pages feel slightly warped to the touch, otherwise clean, tightly bound, and unmarked throughout. The Origin of Species Vol I is (v-viii) 365pp. including a Contents section with excerpts from each chapter, Additions and Corrections to the Sixth Edition, An Historical Sketch, and an I... [more Missing in Sacramento, CA: Three-Volume set of Darwin’s Works]

Associate Bookseller Position Based in the historic Union Building in Old Pasadena, Whitmore Rare Books has been serving a range of collectors for over a decade, placing rare book and manuscript materials at some of the most influential private collections and institutional libraries around the globe. In 2023, our shop seeks to recruit an Associate Bookseller to assist us in expanding our operations. This is a full-time salaried position based in our Pasadena shop that includes a set in-shop schedule with potential travel to and from book fairs. Salary is commensurate with experience and includes health insurance and paid time off (range $65,000 - $85,000). Interested parties should email a resume and cover letter to info@whitmorerarebooks.com. What the position entails: Research and Writing: • Cataloguing o Assisting with backlog and overflow cataloguing • Editing o Assisting with editing print and digital catalogues o Regularly checking on/editing/revising existing descriptions • Book Fairs o As needed, traveling to or from book fairs to assist in set-up and break-down o As needed, providing on-floor sales support at book fairs Front of shop support: • Shop Walk-ins o Welcoming walk-ins to the shop o Handling in-shop sales o Collecting client information • Phone Call and Email Support • Managing door for deliveries/outbound packages Marketing: • Social Media o Collaborating in developing on-brand content for social media channels o Scheduling and releasing soc... [more Associate Bookseller Position at Whitmore Rare Books in Pasadena, CA]

We hope you'll be able to join us at some of our upcoming book fairs this year. BIBLIOGRAPHY WEEK SHOWCASE January 25, 2023 Join 32 exhibitors offering books, maps, ephemera, and more for sale at the Bibliography Week Showcase. The Showcase takes place in conjunction with Bibliography Week. Learn more about the 2023 Bibliography Week Showcase... CALIFORNIA INTERNATIONAL ANTIQUARIAN BOOK FAIR February 10-12, 2023 This three-day event presents rare and collectable books, manuscripts, letters, maps, photographs, original artwork, and all manner of paper ephemera from booksellers around the world. Learn more about the 55th California International Antiquarian Book Fair... 63RD NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL ANTIQUARIAN BOOK FAIR April 27-30, 2023  Universally referred to as the world's finest antiquarian book fair, the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America's New York International Antiquarian Book Fair will showcase over 175 exhibitors in April, 2023. Learn more about the 63rd New York International Antiquarian Book Fair... 45TH BOSTON INTERNATIONAL ANTIQUARIAN BOOK FAIR October 27-29, 2023  The Boston Book Fair is the annual fall gathering for book lovers and collectors, featuring the top selection of items available on the international literary market. Learn more about the 45th Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair... Can't make it to one of our in-person book fairs? You can shop for rare books and related ephemera year-round right here at abaa.org and watch our soci... [more 2023 ABAA Book Fairs]

This fascinating blog post about the history of vellum and parchment is written by Richard Norman, an experienced British bookbinder now living in France, where he runs Eden Wookshops with his wife and fellow bookbinder, Margaret, specializing in Family Bibles and liturgical books. The article originally appeared on www.edenworkshops.com, and is reprinted below with the author's permission. --Editor According to the Roman Varro and Pliny's Natural History, vellum and parchment were invented under the patronage of Eumenes of Pergamum, as a substitute for papyrus, which was temporarily not being exported from Alexandria, its only source. Herodotus mentions writing on skins as common in his time, the 5th century BC; and in his Histories (v.58) he states that the Ionians of Asia Minor had been accustomed to give the name of skins (diphtherai) to books; this word was adapted by Hellenized Jews to describe scrolls. Parchment (pergamenum in Latin), however, derives its name from Pergamon, the city where it was perfected (via the French parchemin). In the 2nd century B.C. a great library was set up in Pergamon that rivalled the famous Library of Alexandria. As prices rose for papyrus and the reed used for making it was over-harvested towards local extinction in the two nomes of the Nile delta that produced it, Pergamon adapted by increasing use of vellum and parchment. Writing on prepared animal skins had a long history, however. Some Egyptian Fourth Dynasty texts were written on vel... [more The History Of Vellum And Parchment]