Robert S. Seymour of Colebrook Book Barn in Colebrook, CT started in the book business working for his father in 1956. Robert later founded his own firm. Colebrook Book Barn specializes in First Editions, Americana, and History. ABAA Member since 1980. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg at the New York International Antiquarian Book Fair.
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.
Robert S. Seymour of Colebrook Book Barn in Colebrook, CT started in the book business working for his father in 1956. Robert later founded his own firm. Colebrook Book Barn specializes in First Editions, Americana, and History. ABAA Member since 1980. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg at the New York International Antiquarian Book Fair.
Daniel G. Siegel established M & S Rare Books in 1969. M & S Rare Books is located in Providence, RI and specializes in 17th-19th Century America: History, Science, Philosophy, Economics, Literature, Judaica, Black History, Manuscripts, Broadsides, and Medicine. ABAA Member since 1973. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg at the Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair.
Since purchasing Second Story Books in 1973, Allan Stypeck, Jr. has expanded his business from a 5,000 book store in Washington, DC to one of the largest used and rare bookshops in the world. Second Story Books now operates out of two locations in the DC metro area. An ABAA member since 1978, Allan is also a senior member of the American Society of Appraisers. Second Story Books specializes in Rare, Out-of-Print Books, Graphics, Appraisals, and Search Service. ABAA Member Since 1978. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg at the New York International Antiquarian Book Fair.
Michael R. Thompson spent his entire career in the antiquarian book business, first working for Zeitlin and Ver Brugge in 1966, then establishing his own business in 1972. Michael served on the Board of Governors for many years and was also Chair of the Southern California Chapter. Michael R. Thompson Booksellers specializes in Literature, Science, Philosophy, History of Ideas, Fine Printing, and Early English Bibles. ABAA Member from 1993 to 2018. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg at the California International Antiquarian Book Fair in Pasadena.
John C. Thomson served as President of the ABAA from 2012-2014. Prior to his term as President, John served as Vice-President and as a member of the Board for many years. He also chaired the Internet and the Planning Committees. John owns and operates Bartleby's Books out of Chevy Chase, MD. Bartleby's Books specializes in African Americana, Americana, Economics, Law, Literature, History, Southern Americana, and General Antiquarian. ABAA Member since 1996. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg at the Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair.
Robert and Lynne Veatch founded The Veatchs Arts of the Book in 1975. The Veatchs Arts of the Book specializes in the Distinguished Typography of all Periods, Bindings, History & Technique of Printing, and Illustrated and Artists' Books. ABAA Member since 1994. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg at the Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair.
Martin R. Weinkle founded Buddenbrooks, Inc. in Boston, MA in 1975. Buddenbrooks, Inc. specializes in Incunabula and Early Printing, Exploration and Travel, Autographs and Manuscripts, Illustrated Books, Literature, Humanities and Sciences, and Sets and Binding. ABAA Member since 1987. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg on November 17, 2007 at the Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair.
Helen Younger founded Aleph-Bet Books in Pound Ridge, NY in 1979. Helen wrote many articles on book collecting and the rare book trade, and in 2002 she co-wrote and published "First Editions of Dr. Seuss Books: A Guide to Identification" along with her husband, Marc. Aleph-Bet Books specialized in Children's Books, Illustrated Books, Fairy Tales, Beatrix Potter, Arthur Rackham, Maurice Sendak, and Pop-Ups and Movables. Helen was a member from 1983-2018. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg at the New York International Antiquarian Book Fair.
John Windle has been in the antiquarian book business since 1967. John trained with Bernard Quaritch Ltd. in London and John-Howell Books in San Francisco before opening his open business in San Francisco in 1974. John is a long-time member of the ABAA and has served on the Board of Governors. He was formerly Chair of the PR and Publications Committee. John Windle Antiquarian Bookseller specializes in Bindings, Early and Fine Printing, Illustrated Books, William Blake and His Circle, Illuminated Manuscripts, Private Press Books, T.F. Dibdin, Mary Wollstonecraft, and Children's Books. ABAA Member since 1991. Interviewed by Taylor Bowie on October 12, 2008 at the Seattle Antiquarian Book Fair.
Vic Zoschak, Jr. founded Tavistock Books in 1989 while he was still serving in the U.S. Coast Guard. He became a member of the Association in 1995 and retired from the Coast Guard in 1997, thereby devoting all his time to antiquarian bookselling. Vic has served on the Board of Governors for a number of years and Chairs the Planning and RBMS Committees. The works of Charles Dickens have always been of personal interest to Vic, and his shop takes its name from Dickens' residence in the 1850s- Tavistock House on Tavistock Square. Tavistock Books is located in Alameda, CA and specializes in Dickensiana, Wing books, English Literature, Books about Books, Vietnam Conflict Literature, and Children's Serial Fiction. ABAA Member since 1995. Interviewed by Taylor Bowie on October 12, 2008 at the Seattle Antiquarian Book Fair.
Douglas N. Harding has been an antiquarian bookseller since 1960. Douglas is located in Wells, ME and specializes in Antarctica and Arctica, Americana, Illustrated Books, Maps, Atlases, and Cartography. ABAA Member from 1975-2019. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg at the New York International Antiquarian Book Fair.
Jett Whitehead has always had a keen interest in modern poetry and, in addition to collecting, he earned his MA in creative writing and poetry. Jett entered the rare book trade in 1991. He has served on the Board of Governors and on the Public Relations Committee. Jett W. Whitehead Rare Books operates out of Bay City, MI and specializes in Modern Poetry. ABAA Member since 1999. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg on November 9, 2013 at the Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair.
Jerry Showalter has been working in bookstores since 1967 and has specialized in rare books since 1990. Jerry N. Showalter, Bookseller operates out of Ivy, VA specializes in Southeastern, Americana, Virginiana, Early Southern Imprints, 19th Century Manuscript Material, and the Civil War & Confederacy. ABAA Member since 1999. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg on November 9, 2013 at the Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair.
John Kuenzig graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and worked in high technology before becoming a bookseller in 1997. John became a member of the ABAA in 2007 and serves on the Internet Committee. Kuenzig Books operates out of Topsfield, MA and specializes in Engineering, Ephemera, Photography, Science, and Technology. ABAA Member since 2007. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg on November 18, 2012 at the Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair.
A bibliophile for his entire life, Ian Kahn dabbled in brokering and collecting during his professional career as an attorney. In 2003 Ian decided to devote all of his time to book selling and founded Lux Mentis, Booksellers in Portland, ME. Lux Mentis, Booksellers specializes in Architecture & Design, Early Medical Texts, First Editions, Heirloom Volumes, Library & Collection Development, Photography & Art, Spec. Fiction & Gothic Horror. ABAA Member since 2007. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg on November 18, 2012 at the Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair.