ABAA membership is a privilege extended only to those booksellers who have demonstrated the highest levels of professionalism, ethics, and expertise in the trade. Our more than four hundred members hail from an impressively diverse array of backgrounds. Some have spent their entire careers in the book business, while others have been lighthouse keepers, poets, helicopter pilots, and professional musicians. Some members own brick-and-mortar shops, some operate internet-only businesses from their home or office, some fashion livelihoods from exhibiting at book fairs. Many combine these retail strategies, or add services such as appraising and collection development. A few earn additional income and professional prestige from research and writing. But all our members share an appreciation for the printed page and for the scholarly and ethical practices which exemplify professional bookselling. ...
Richard Murian’s background is in history and philosophy, and it was by chance that he entered the trade. His path crossed with Herb Caplan of Argus Books, who put Richard to work in the book business. After a few stints working for libraries and as a Pastor, Richard founded Alcuin Books in 1990. He became a member of the ABAA in 2003.
Alcuin Books operates out of Scottsdale, AZ, and specializes in American History, Civil War, Fine Bindings, Fore-Edge Paintings, French Literature, Japanese Art, Modern First Editions, and Western Americana.
ABAA membership conveys recognition throughout the rare book world. A member of the ABAA is a bookseller with proven knowledge, expertise, and ethical standards.
