This item is still missing as of 5/25/2019. The following item has been reported stolen: Pierre Bonfons. Les Antiqvutez et Chose plus Remarquabes de Paris . . . Paris: Nicolas Bonfons, 1608. 8vo, contemporary calf, spine elaborately gilt decorated, maroon morocco label, gilt lettering, marbled endpapers, a.e. stained red. Engraved title and 55 wood engravings in the text by Jean Rabel. The second edition, rewritten and augmented by Pierre Bonfons. Brunet II, 307. Gilles Corrozet's famous 16th century guide to the antiquities of Paris (first published in 1532), substantially augmented by Pierre Bonfons and first published in this revised edition in 1607. Corrozet's work, one of the earliest historical guidebooks of its kind and an early example of interest in antiquarianism and archeology, went through nine editions in his lifetime (1510-1... [more Stolen: 'Les Antiqvutez et Chose plus Remarquabes de Paris . . .' (1608)]

The ABAA is delighted to welcome the following members to, or to a new status within, the Association: Katharina Koch, Books Tell You Why, Inc.; Linda S. Moore, Alcuin Books; Kevin Mullen, Mullen Books, Inc.; and Lynne Veatch, The Veatchs Arts of the Book. Read a little more about each member below. Full Members Katharina Koch, Books Tell You Why, Inc. (Mount Pleasant, SC) Katharina Koch was born in Germany, and moved to Charleston, SC in 1995 with her family. In 2002, Books Tell You Why was started. Currently still a college student studying Biology, her first year was spent at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, and she is now in the Honors College at the College of Charleston. Katharina developed a passion for collectible and antiquarian books since an early age and plays a role in the everyday life of Books Tell You Why, be it... [more New Members Admitted to the ABAA]

Longtime friend of the ABAA Nicholas Basbanes will be signing copies of his latest book, On Paper, at the upcoming Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair. You can find him at the ABAA Booth at 1pm on Saturday, November 16th. Proceeds will benefit the ABAA's Benevolent Fund, which provides aid to booksellers in distress. The cost of the book is $35. On Paper takes the reader on a journey throughout the history of paper and the ways in which it has influenced and shaped societies throughout the world. Publisher's Weekly gave the book a starred review, saying that through Basbanes's "wide-ranging, freewheeling, authoritative" survey of paper, he "reveals how many roles, directly and indirectly, paper plays in our lives." As if you needed another reason to visit the Boston fair. We hope to see you in line for a copy of Mr. Basbanes's exce... [more Nicholas Basbanes Book Signing at Boston Book Fair]

We are only nine days away from opening night of our 36th Annual Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair and I am ready to head north to Beantown! I'm excited to see all the wonderful material- books, maps, ephemera, etc.that will be on exhibit, see friends and members, and take advantage of my time in Boston. It's a fantastic city with no shortage of history, culture, and activities, so we have been compiling a list of events and attractions taking place during the fair. Check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for a new suggestion every day! Plus, it's autumn in New England which means you'll be in stunning surroundings all weekend. For a sneak preview of items exhibitors will be bringing to the show, visit the Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair's Facebook page. I'm drooling over the latest post about a signed Charlie Parke... [more Countdown to the Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair!]

The Battle of the Fruit and Vegetable Soldiers by Francis Darwin (image via Open Culture Charles Darwin is famously known as the father of evolution, but did you realize he was also the devoted father of ten children? This seems like a colossal number today (the Duggars and their like aside), but a large family wasn't uncommon in Darwin's time. It was also not unusual during this period to find a spouse among one's kin, as Darwin did when he married his cousin, Emma Wedgwood. Despite his fears that inbreeding may have left his children susceptible to illness or disorders, they were a talented bunch and many went on to have distinguished careers. Perhaps this was due in part to their father's loving encouragement and a more modern attitude toward children than you would find in a typical upper-class Victorian home. Darwin even frequently ... [more Darwin Children Illustrated 'Origin of the Species' Manuscript Pages]

We're less than a week away from Halloween, so it seems only fitting to do a little round-up of a few spine-tingling titles. All the items listed below are currently being offered for sale by our members on abaa.org. Misery by Stephen King When you think modern literature and horror, Stephen King naturally comes to mind. Misery (New York, 1987), in my opinion, is one of his most chilling stories. Brief synapsis: Paul Sheldon, a famous author of Victorian-era romances is held hostage by Annie Wilkes, a deranged super fan who insists that he rewrite his latest novel because she is not pleased with the ending. (A plot line that placed fear into the heart of every novelist&) Misery was a co-winner of the 1988 Bram Stoker Award for Best Novel and was nominated for the 1988 World Fantasy Award for Best Novel. The novel was made into a hit film ... [more Frightening Fiction for Halloween]

UPDATE: We are pleased to report that these items have been recovered and returned to their owner. The following three items were stolen last week and offered yesterday in Phoenix: Noritané, Ninagawa. KWAN KO DZU SETSU. NOTICE HISTORIQUE ET DESCRIPTIVE UR LES ARTS ET INDUSTRIES JAPONAIS:  ART CERAMIQUE (10 PARTS IN 5 VOLUMES). Tokyo and Yokohama: Ahrens and Co; C. Levy, 1876 - 1878. First Edition. 5 volumes, oblong 4to, each with between 5 and 11 leaves of Japanese lithographic text. French text. Original multi-colored wrappers titled on front covers. Housed in blue cloth folding case with bone clasps, paper title label to front cover. All volumes in near fine to fine condition; case is unevenly faded. Toke, Monroe Tsa. THE PEYOTE RITUAL: VISIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS OF MONROE TSA TOKE. San Francisco: Grabhorn Press, 1957. First Edition. F... [more UPDATED: Three Books Stolen in the Southwest]

Well, not literally. But the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers has announced the winner of the 16th ILAB Breslauer Prize for Bibliography, and the prize goes to Jon Gilbert for his bibliography on Ian Fleming (Jon Gilbert. Ian Fleming: The Bibliography. Preface by Fergus Fleming. Foreward by Michael L. Vanblaricum. Edited by Brad Frank. London, Queen Anne Press, 2012). Gilbert's bibliography had stiff competition, but the Jury could not ignore his "outstanding work of meticulous scholarship." Arnoud Gertis, the Secretary of the ILAB Breslauer Prize, said that Gilbert's bibliography not only covers all aspects of "gives insight into the conception of a book, the editorial process, in short, this book covers&all one can possibly know about Fleming and his writings." Gertis continues, "It not only shows that modern authors are ... [more And the winner is: Bond, James Bond]

Happily, this item was recovered in 2014. The following item has been reported missing: 1791 version of Boydell's “Illustrations to Shakespeare-Proofs and Etchings”, Volume II. The book is large, maybe 20” by 20” and weighs around 20 pounds. The loss occurred approximately July 9, likely in the Memphis Area while it was being transported for rebinding. If you have any information on this item, please contact ABAA Headquarters at hq@abaa.org or 212-944-8291. [more Missing: 1791 version of Boydell’s “Illustrations to Shakespeare-Proofs and Etchings”, Volume II]

Steve Green, President of the U.S. arts and crafts retailer Hobby Lobby, recently revealed his purchase of what some scholars believe may be the oldest known Jewish prayer book. The 11 x 10 centimeter, 50 page book is a siddur, a Jewish prayer book that contains daily prayers. It dates from 840 and is written in an ancient form of Hebrew that includes Babylonian vowel marks. This indicates that it is likely from the Babylonian region, but the siddur's origin has yet to be determined. The book is complete and appears to still be in its original binding, which of course adds additional value to the volume. Green acquired the book as an addition to the Green Collection, his family's extensive collection of biblical texts and artifacts. (Containing more than 40,000 items, it is the largest privately owned collection in the world.) The Greens... [more Hobby Lobby President Acquires Rare Siddur]