It's common knowledge that Thomas Jefferson penned the Declaration of Independence, but did you realize he was also the first American to record a recipe for ice cream? Jefferson's recipe was for vanilla ice cream and he, sadly, did not name it Declaration of Deliciousness (which would be a perfect name if Ben & Jerry's decided to make a tribute flavor!). Precursors to ice cream, often ice mixed with fruits or juices, appeared in ancient Greek, Chinese, and Persian cultures. It's believed that the first milk based icy treat and the earliest device to make a 'ice cream' appeared in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). These frozen iced-based drinks gained popularity in Europe, and in the 17th century it became popular to turn these drinks into frozen desserts. Italians added sugar to the concoction and sorbet (then called sorbetto) ... [more Thomas Jefferson’s Ice Cream Recipe]

Love old books, book stores, or just a good story? Tune in to Brattle Book Shop's well-produced podcast: BRATTLECAST! At one of America's oldest bookshops, there are just as many stories to be told outside the pages as in them. Join bookseller Kenneth Gloss and co-host Jordan Rich as they share entertaining conversations and histories surrounding Brattle Book Shop, one of Boston's favorite spots for bibliophiles. Recent episodes cover questions about the care and preservation of books, the day in 1980 when Ken learned his shop was burning, and behind the scenes reveal of Ken's best and worst segments from his time as an expert on the Antiques Roadshow! (Photo credit: Jeffrey Dunn) Don't miss an article from The New Antiquarian blog. Subscribe to the ABAA email newsletter! * indicates required Email Address * Email Format html text #mc_emb... [more Ken Gloss Launches Rare Books Podcast!]

I met Helen in 1998, while I was still an undergrad living in Washington, DC. I was dating her son and invited to New York to meet the family during a Passover seder, a holiday I had never observed. David warned me that his mother could be opinionated, was intelligent, and very well read. We immediately bonded over our mutual enjoyment of a made-for-TV movie starring Lynda Carter we had both just seen. This movie was so bad, we were probably its only two viewers. Through dayenus and certainly more than four questions, we became friends. Her vast knowledge of the realm of children's and illustrated books was enthralling. As an introverted child, I enjoyed visiting the used book stores around Maryland, but I had never been exposed to fine, collectible material. It wasn't until I began working for her a few years later that I fully grasped h... [more In Memoriam: Helen Younger]

This item is still missing as of 6/12/2019. Please contact us if you are offered the following item which is missing in transit to a Seattle-area customer: FORTY YEARS A FUR TRADER ON THE UPPER MISSOURI. The Personal Narrative of Charles Larpenteur 1833-1872. Edited, with many critical notes, by Elliott Coues. Two volume set. Limited edition. Larpenteur, Charles; Elliott Coues New York: Francis P. Harper, 1898. First Edition. Hardcover. Octavo (8vo). Very good condition. Original blue cloth bindings with minor shelfwear and rubbing. Number 625 of 900 copies. About 15 pages of the first volume have minor staining to the edges. [more Missing in Transit to Seattle: Forty Years a Fur Trader on the Upper Missouri]

Belle da Costa Greene Scholarship With the goal of actively working to achieve a more diverse and inclusive community of booksellers and librarians, thanks to the generosity of Lisa Unger Baskin, The Colorado Antiquarian Book Seminars (CABS) is pleased to offer a 2017 scholarship for $2,000 to cover the cost of tuition, room and board ($1,646) with the additional $354 intended for travel or incidental expenses. The scholarship is intended for a bookseller or a librarian from an historically underrepresented community. We encourage applications from booksellers and librarians from the African American, Latino/a/x, Asian American/Pacific Islander, LGBTQ+, working class, persons with disabilities, or other self-identified communities of booksellers or librarians who might benefit from this scholarship. Applicants should submit a short 1- or ... [more Belle da Costa Greene Scholarship offers Tuition-plus for Underrepresented Peoples to CABS]

The Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America congratulates the 2016 winners of the National Collegiate Book Collecting Contest: 1st Place: Luke Kelly. Harvard University. “A Collection of Eugene Walter, King of the Monkeys” 2nd Place: Megan Jones. University of Kansas. "The Life and Times of Sacco and Vanzetti” 3rd Place: Micaela Beigel. Goucher College. “Once We Were Dreamers: A Collection of Jewish Resistance During the Holocaust” Essay award: Samantha Flitter. Princeton University. “The Sand and the Sea: An Age of Sail Library in Rural New Mexico” The winners will receive their awards during a ceremony on Friday, Oct. 14, at 5:30 p.m. at the Library of Congress, Montpelier Room, sixth floor of the Madison Building, 101 Independence Ave. S.E. The event is free and open to the public. The special guest speaker is Ton... [more Press Release: 2016 National Collegiate Book Collecting Contest Winners Announced]

To commemorate the day of Shakespeare's birth, and death, April 23rd, The Folger Shakespeare Library will host an international live streaming event from the historic Paster Reading Room at the Folger. Broadcast live via C-SPAN and live streamed at Folger.edu, a diverse array of actors, community leaders, artists and scholars will share their connection to Shakespeare through compelling performances and personal stories. Confirmed presenters include Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, Jane Chu; Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, William "Bro" Adams; actor and President Obama's appointed Associate Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, Kal Penn; Guggenheim Fellow and author, Francisco Goldman; Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Clarence Page; and the Reduced Shakespeare Company, the hilari... [more Celebrate Shakespeare: The Wonder of Will Live!]

The 56th Annual New York Antiquarian Book Fair returned to the Park Avenue Armory from April 7-April 10, 2016. From April 7-10, 2016 book lovers will find a fascinating treasure trove at the Park Avenue Armory. Over 200 American and international dealers will exhibit at The ABAA New York Antiquarian Book Fair, bringing a vast selection of rare books, maps, manuscripts, illuminated manuscripts and ephemera. The diversity of specialties includes art, medicine, literature, photography, autographs, first editions, Americana, and much more. This book fair is officially sanctioned by the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America and the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers. This means that the consumer can rely upon the experience and professionalism of participating dealers and the authenticity of the items available for purch... [more 56th Annual New York Antiquarian Book Fair]

“The book was a vehicle to connect a family.” –Henry Roth For more than 35 years, Lawrence Fox has served as the ABAA's legal counsel and also as one of our members' good customers. Larry is known for his collection of the writings of Edgar Allan Poe and American literature. His copy of Henry Roth's Call it Sleep—a first edition, first state with first state dustwrapper—is “among the finest, brightest and most crisp copies of this scarce book.” In recognition of his many years of service with the ABAA, Larry has donated the copy to the Association's charitable entities with proceeds from the sale going to the Elisabeth Woodburn and Benevolent Funds. George Lowry and his team at Swann will offer the book for sale, without commission to the Funds, on May 18, 2016. But it gets better. Larry was Roth's personal friend and Truste... [more Save the Date: Swann to auction Call it Sleep to Benefit ABAA Charities on May 18th]

Chicago colleague Larry Van de Carr's 2008 Silver Ford XLT van (with Illinois "environmental" license plates) full of his stock was stolen in Oakland, California. The inventory is largely rare science fiction (some signed), literature in dust jacket, a smattering of illustrated (Rackham, etc.) some Western Americana. Larry says he often lays descriptions slips into his books or prices near the upper right hand corner of the front free endpaper. If you are in the Bay Area and are approached under suspicious circumstances and offered material like this PLEASE do all you can to delay and call the police if you have reason to suspect these are Larry's books. Please contact ABAA Headquarters at hq@abaa.org or 212.944.8291 or Garrett Scott at garrett@bibliophagist.com if you are offered any items or have any information to provide. Update: Than... [more Missing from SF Bay Area]