Dr. Samuel J. Hessel died last September of pancreatic cancer. A radiologist by training, he gradually turned an interest in rare books into a second career as an antiquarian book dealer after his ret... [more {visitor:mbr_blog_screenname}]

All book collectors have stories of exceptional books found in unpromising circumstances -- we recently reviewed Rebecca Rego Barry's book on the topic, Rare Books Uncovered -- but perhaps few can top... [more {visitor:mbr_blog_screenname}]

Longtime ABAA member Elizabeth Phillips passed away on December 14, 2015, after a short illness. She was born on November 5, 1958 in Philadelphia and grew up in Paris, France; Dutchess County, New Yor... [more {visitor:mbr_blog_screenname}]

Promotional literature is an underappreciated area full of fascinating ephemera and colorful images of a golden age that may never quite have existed except in the minds of civic boosters and advertis... [more {visitor:mbr_blog_screenname}]

Alice is 150 years old, so of course, she deserves to be celebrated all over the world. Among the fetes is a special exhibit at the 49th California International Antiquarian Book Fair in Pasadena, CA ... [more {visitor:mbr_blog_screenname}]

There are many rare book fairs of varying size taking place around the country in January and February. Whether you are a beginning collector of an old hand, book fairs are a great opportunity to insp... [more {visitor:mbr_blog_screenname}]

In 1941, Knopf published Theodore Roethke's first collection of poetry, Open House, in a hand-numbered edition of 1000 copies. The book was lavishly praised and launched Roethke's brilliant career, wh... [more {visitor:mbr_blog_screenname}]

Some of the most-expensive books in the world are going on tour. The Folger Shakespeare Library is sending several First Folios to partner institutions around the country -- one in each state -- so pe... [more {visitor:mbr_blog_screenname}]