Bookseller Interviews

 A few years ago, Michael Ginsberg embarked upon an archival journey for the ABAA. Recognizing the absence of member histories in the ABAA annals, Michael began conducting video interviews of members at our three annual fairs. The interviews cover members' personal histories as well as their involvement in the rare book trade. The ABAA extends many thanks to Michael, as well as Taylor Bowie, who has also conducted a number of interviews.
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John Phillips & Jennie Phillips of Evening Star Books is a father-daughter bookselling firm based in Madison, Wisconsin. The firm specializes in philosophy and mathematics which is also the area in which the firm's founder focused his academic study and research. Jennie manages the firm's design and media efforts, as well as a significant portion of cataloguing. ABAA Member Since 2017. Interviewed by Kara McLaughlin of Little Sages on February 9, 2020 at the California International Antiquarian Book Fair in Pasadena.


Brad has been a member of the ABAA since 2008 and offers a vast array of materials, with specialties in literature and poetry, California and the West, archives and archival material, vernacular photography, and heavy metal. Their bricks and mortar location, The Book Shop, is located in Covina, California. ABAA Member Since 2008. Interviewed by Taylor Bowie on February 8, 2014 at the California International Antiquarian Book Fair in Pasadena.


Taylor has been a member in the ABAA since 1981 and specializes in General Antiquarian, also including The USA in the 20th century, Performing Arts, Autographs, Illustrated Books, Western Washington State History, unusual ephemera, West Coast printers, esp. John Henry Nash. Restaurant menus and other food ephemera up to 1960. Taylor Bowie is located in Seattle, Washington. Interviewed by Kara McLaughlin of Little Sages Books.


Adam has been a member of the ABAA since 2017 and specializes in mostly unique items in the areas of American Social Movements and American Personal Narratives; as well as an emphasis on compelling photo albums and outsider books. Langdon Manor Books is located in Missouri City, Texas. ABAA Member Since 2017. Interviewed by Kara McLaughlin of Little Sages on February 8, 2020 at the California International Antiquarian Book Fair in Pasadena.


Carl Blomgren has been a member of the ABAA since 2008 and specializes in interesting and rare books in many fields with an emphasis on architecture, art, photography, posters,and illustrated books. Carl Blomgren - Fine Books is located in Petaluma, California. ABAA Member since 2008. Interviewed by Kara McLaughlin of Little Sages on February 8, 2020 at the California International Antiquarian Book Fair in Pasadena.


David has been a member of the ABAA since 2018 and specializes in Exploration, Adventure, History, California, Pacific Northwest and Alaska. David Spilman Fine Books is located in Sebastopol, California. ABAA Member since 2018. Interviewed by Kara McLaughlin of Little Sages on February 9, 2020 at the California International Antiquarian Book Fair in Pasadena.


Walter has been a member of the ABAA since 2017 and specializes in Film and Stage, LGBTQ History, African American and Latino Film History, Literature into Film, Women in Film and Theater. Walter Reuben, Inc. is located in West Hollywood, California. ABAA Member since 2017. Interviewed by Kara McLaughlin of Little Sages on February 9, 2020 at the California International Antiquarian Book Fair in Pasadena.


Glenn has been a member of the ABAA since 2018 and specializes in Ephemera, Photographs, Manuscript Collections/Items, Fine and Unusual Books. Cultural Images is located in Portland, Oregon. Interviewed by Kara McLaughlin of Little Sages Books.


Dr. Richard Meli has been a member of the ABAA since 2017 and specializes in Mystery & Detective Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Horror & Supernatural Fiction, Popular Fiction, Pulp Magazines, Original Illustration Art and Illustrated Books. Heartwood Books and Art is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. ABAA Member since 2017. Interviewed by Kara McLaughlin of Little Sages at the California International Antiquarian Book Fair in Pasadena on February 9, 2020.


Kiley Samz has been working the antiquarian book trade for some time, finding many ABAA members to be supportive, nurturing, and mentoring. She currently works for ABAA member Rootenberg Rare Books & Manuscripts in Sherman Oaks, California at their Durham, NC outpost. ABAA Member since 2022. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg on November 16, 2019 at the Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair.


Phil has been a member of the ABAA since 1988 and specializes in Bindings, Medieval Manuscripts, Early Printed Books, STC & Wing Books, Incunabula, English & American Literature, Fine & Private Press, Color Plate Books, Medicine. Phillip J. Pirages Fine Books & Manuscripts is located in McMinnville, Oregon. Phillip J. Pirages Fine Books and Medieval Manuscripts was established in 1978 on a ping pong table in a basement in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Over the years, the business has gravitated toward historical artifacts that are physically attractive in some way—illuminated material, fine bindings, books printed on vellum, fore-edge paintings, beautiful typography and paper, impressive illustration. But the company still sells a wide range of things, from (scruffy) ninth century leaves to biblical material from all periods to Wing and STC imprints to modern privately printed books. ABAA Member since 1988. Interviewed by Kara McLaughlin of Little Sages at the Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair on November 16, 2019.


Marco has been a member of the ABAA since 2016 and specializes in Graphic and Archival Americana, Photography, American History, with an emphasis on cultural and social history. Auger Down Books is located in Marlboro, Vermont. ABAA Member since 2016. Interviewed by Kara McLaughlin of Little Sages on November 16, 2019 at the Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair.


Michael recognized the absence of member histories in the ABAA annals, and in 2010 began conducting these video interviews at the ABAA’s three annual antiquarian book fairs. He was a member of the ABAA from 1961 until his death in 2023, and specialized in Americana, Western Americana, Early American Periodicals, Appraisals, Utopian Communities, Southern Americana, Canada, Millerites. Michael Ginsberg Books was located in North Easton, Massachusetts. Interviewed by Kara McLaughlin of Little Sages Books


Michael has been a member of the ABAA since 2018, and specializes in Mystery, Science-Fiction, Signed First Editions, Books About Books, Wine & Spirits, Vintage Paperbacks, General Antiquarian & Collectable. What he characterizes as an eclectic mix of good books compiled from 30 years of buying & selling. Brenner’s Books - Rare & Collectable is located in Manasquan, New Jersey. Interviewed by Kara McLaughlin of Little Sages Books


Tom grew up in the New York City region, and after getting a degree in English, moved around the country from New Mexico, to Florida, to Massachusetts. Having always been familiar and friendly with computers, the Internet Bubble treated him well, allowing him to open up a used bookshop with his brother in Roslindale, MA, in 2003 where he learned the book trade through classic hands-on experience. In 2014 Tom closed his shop to pursue his antiquarian interests in early printed books and culinary material. He also joined the ABAA that year. Pazzo Books operates out of Roslindale, MA and specializes in Fine, Rare, and Out-of-Print Books with an emphasis on Literature, Cookery, Early Printed Books, and the unusual. ABAA Member since 2014. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg on November 17, 2019 at the Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair.
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