Robert Fraker of Savoy Books in Lanseboro, MA realized his bookselling dreams in 1971 when he moved from New York City to Savoy, MA and opened Savoy Books. ABAA Member from 1981-2017. 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 Fraker of Savoy Books in Lanseboro, MA realized his bookselling dreams in 1971 when he moved from New York City to Savoy, MA and opened Savoy Books. ABAA Member from 1981-2017. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg at the New York International Antiquarian Book Fair.
Before becoming a rare bookseller, Dan Dwyer held a number of interesting positions. He started out in politics, working as a research assistant for the first Senate Committee that investigated federal intelligence operations and then as an advanceman for Carter's 1976 campaign. Following Carter's election, Dan worked for the White House press office and, later in the administration, for a Carter-sponsored public and private sector initiative. He took a break from politics while working for CBS Inc. for several years, but threw his hat back in the political sphere in the 1990s when he ran twice for Connecticut State Senate. It was during this time that Dan began collecting books. Before long, he was selling them, and Johnnycake Books was born. Johnnycake Books Inc. is located in Salisbury, CT and specializes in Architecture, Applied & Decorative Arts, Literature, Gardens, Horticulture, and Modern Art. ABAA Member since 2006. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg on February 16, 2013 at the California International Antiquarian Book Fair in San Francisco.
Before entering the rare book trade Fran Durako worked for a large law firm in Washington, DC for twenty-five years, first as a law librarian and later as Chief Information Officer. In 2003 she purchased the Kelmscott Bookshop from Don and Teresa Johanson and jumped in to the trade with both feet-- exhibiting at book fairs, issuing catalogues, and expanding the shop to include in-house restoration. Fran has served as a member of the Board of Governors and chair of the By-laws Committee. The Kelmscott Bookshop is located in Baltimore, MD and specializes in Books on Books, Private Press, William Morris, and Pre-Raphaelites. ABAA Member since 2006. Interviewed by Taylor Bowie on October 9, 2011 at the Seattle Antiquarian Book Fair. ABAA Member since 2006. Interviewed by Taylor Bowie on October 9, 2011 at the Seattle Antiquarian Book Fair.
Jim Dourgarian worked as an investigative journalist and writer of fiction and nonfiction for a number of years before devoting his full time efforts to bookselling in the 1980s. ABAA Member since 1997. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg on February 16, 2013 at the California International Antiquarian Book Fair in San Francisco.
Dawson's Book Shop of Los Angeles, CA opened in 1905, and is the oldest continuously operating book shop in Los Angeles. Dawson's is also a founding firm of the ABAA, joining the Association in the year of its inception. Michael is the third generation to run the shop, which he took over from his father, past ABAA President Muir Dawson, in 1998. Dawson's Book Shop specializes in Photography and Californiana. ABAA Member since 1998. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg on February 16, 2013 at the California International Antiquarian Book Fair in San Francisco.
Brian Cassidy, Bookseller of Silver Spring, MD began his bookselling career working part-time for an independent bookshop while earning an MFA in Poetry at the University of Iowa Writers Workshop. He has taught English and literature at both the undergraduate and secondary levels. Brian continued to teach in addition to selling books until 2004, when he established Brian Cassidy, Bookseller. He became an ABAA member in 2008 and has served on the Planning an Public Relations Committees. Brian Cassidy, Bookseller deals in "intrinsically interesting, unusual, or important books in all fields." ABAA Member Since 2008. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg on April 14, 2012 at the New York International Antiquarian Book Fair.
Andrew Cahan was trained in photography, both as an exhibiting photographer and a teacher. After a few years of teaching, Andrew went back to school to earn his masters degree in photography with the intent to print photographic books. During his coursework he began working for the Ohio State laboratory press and became well versed in photo print making and photographic book production. His work with books ultimately led him to the trade, and Andrew established his business in 1981. He became an ABAA member in 1986. Andrew Cahan: Bookseller, Ltd. operates out of Akron, OH and specializes in all aspects of Photography, including Photographic Literature from the Pre-History through Contemporary. ABAA Member Since 1986. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg on April 14, 2012 at the New York International Antiquarian Book Fair.
Barry Scott entered the rare book trade as a librarian at Brown University. Barry made the switch to bookselling in 1970, when he established his own firm that specialized in 19th & 20th Century English and American Literature. He became a member of the ABAA in 1974. Barry operates out of Kingston, RI and specializes in Rare and Unusual Books and Manuscripts in many areas from the 17th Century to the present. ABAA Member Since 1974. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg at the Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair.
Ian Brabner began collecting Baumiana and Oziana at the age of seven, scouting auctions, bookshops, and fairs alongside his mother. After graduating with a dual degree in English and Anthropology, Ian established his business in 1995 and was one of the earliest booksellers to establish a strong online presence. Ian Brabner - Rare Americana operates out of Wilmington, DE and specializes in 18th & 19th Century Americana, Americana: Broadsides, Pamphlets, Journals, Diaries, Manuscripts & Letters, and Ephemera. ABAA Member since 2005. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg on April 14, 2012 at the New York International Antiquarian Book Fair.
Robert S. Baird of The Book Bin, Inc. in Corvallis, OR has been a member of the ABAA since 1989. Robert grew up in the the American Samoa and Hawaii, which greatly influenced his interests and specialities in the book business. The Book Bin, Inc. specializes in Maritime, Travel, and the Pacific Islands. ABAA Member since 1989. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg at the California International Antiquarian Book Fair in San Francisco/Oakland.
Lorne Bair of Winchester, VA began selling antiquarian books in 1996 and has been a member of the ABAA since 2006. Lorne served as a past-President of the Virginia Antiquarian Booksellers' Association and currently sits on VABA's Board. Lorne serves on the ABAA's Board of Governors and chairs the Benevolent Fund Committee. He also serves on Ethics & Standards, Internet, and RBMS committees at the ABAA, and he is a faculty member at the Colorado Antiquarian Book Seminar. Lorne W. Bair specializes in Radical Americana, and the History, Literature, and Art of American Social Movements. ABAA Member since 2006. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg at the Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair.
David Aronovitz of The Fine Books Company in Rochester, MI got his feet wet in the trade as a collector. Like many, though, he didn't remain solely a collector for long but began selling books as well. After spending about five years exhibiting at various fairs across the country, David formally established his business in 1982. The Fine Books Company specializes in 19th and 20th Century Literature, Periodicals, and First Editions of English & American Fiction, Science Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction, Children's Books, Illustrated Books, and Select Non-Fiction from the 16th-20th Centuries. ABAA Member since 1986. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg on April 14, 2012 at the New York International Antiquarian Book Fair.
Charles Agvent started his business in 1987 but became a full-time bookseller in 1994, the same year he was admitted to the ABAA. Prior to that, he worked in Manhattan in advertising, public relations, and the publishing industry, and taught at the university level, drawing on his background in English and Creative Writing. Charles Agvent operates out of Mertztown, PA and specializes in Signed Books & Autographs, Modern & 19th Century First Editions, Limited Editions Club, Presidential Books & autographs, Hand-Colored Plate Books, and Early Printing. ABAA Member since 1994. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg on April 14, 2012 at the New York International Antiquarian Book Fair.
Don Conner entered the world of antiquarian bookselling as a scout in the late 1970s. He decided start his own book business in the 1980s, first participating in a cooperative mall and then opening shop as Don Conner Fine Books in 1986. Operating out of Sacramento, CA, Don specialized in Ornithology, Fishing and Angling, Botany, Hunting, Natural History, Herpetology Travel, Science, Color Plate Books, Exploration, Trade Catalogs, and General Antiquarian books. He became a member of the ABAA in 1991. Don's untimely death in 2013 was met with great sadness from his colleagues in the trade. As one bookseller put it, "he was a damned good bookman and an even better person." ABAA Member from 1991 until his death in 2013. Interviewed by Taylor Bowie on October 10, 2010 at the Seattle Antiquarian Book Fair.
Gregory Talbot worked for The Lawyer's Co-Operative Publishing Co. for ten years before starting his antiquarian book business, The Lawbook Exchange, Ltd. The Lawbook Exchange, Ltd. operates out of Clark, NJ and, as the name suggests, specializes in Law & Legal History, International Law, Admiralty & Maritime Law, Trials, American Constitutional Law & History, Early Reports & Codes, Criminology, and Early Printed Law Books. ABAA Member since 1991. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg on February 16, 2013 at the California International Antiquarian Book Fair in San Francisco.