Apply for Joint ABAA Membership
The ABAA encourages applicants who are antiquarian or rare booksellers of good character, reputation, and credit rating who have been in business for four (4) continuous years and whose principal place of business is in the United States.
Business partners, spouses, domestic partners, etc. may apply for membership at the same time, with the following requirements. Applicants must have sponsorship of four current members of ABAA who will write letters in support of the applicant and three additional persons who will serve as references -- these three may be members of the ABAA, the ILAB, or other professions affiliated with the rare book trade such as a special collections librarian. A biographical letter for each applicant, a credit report, samples of catalogs or stock listings with full bibliographic descriptions are also necessary.
Sponsors must have been ABAA members in good standing for three years. The Primary Sponsor must visit the premises personally within 60 days prior to the application.
Applications are considered on a rolling basis, but must be received at least 60 days prior to a Board of Governors meeting to be considered at that meeting, usually held in February, April, July, and November. The applicant's name is circulated to the membership and rare book community for comment, and vetted by the Membership Committee. The list of applicants is also published for public comment. A two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Governors is required for ABAA membership.