The ABAA is accepting entries for the 2025 National Collegiate Book Collecting Contest where more than $6,000 in prizes will be awarded to student collectors. The contest is open to all prizewinners of college contests, whether or not first prize, and to interested students whose institutions do not offer contests. More information can be found here... All entries should be submitted here by June 9, 2025. The National Collegiate Book Collecting Contest is jointly administered by the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America (ABAA), the Fellowship of American Bibliophilic Societies (FABS), the Grolier Club, and the Center for the Book and the Rare Books and Special Collections Division of the Library of Congress. For more information on the contest, please visit contest.abaa.org. Read more about last year's winners here... [more 2025 National Collegiate Book Collecting Contest]



Missing: Caxton Polycronicon

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The following book disappeared from a NYC residence and is the subject of an insurance claim. Title: "POLYCRONICON" 1482 William Caxton, Printer Higden Ranulph, Author John Trevisa also known as John de Trevisa, Translator The book is without 4 blanks (a1, 1.1, x2, 55.8) and 7 other leaves (a2, a3, a6, a8, c4, 54.8, 54.7) included here in very fine manuscript facsimile accomplished probably in the 19th century. Leaves a4, a5 and b1 are possibly provided from another copy with remargining accomplished skillfully. Leaves CLXIX to CLXXVI, provided herein are probably from another copy and have restoration or remargining in the border areas of the page. Some remargining at the end of the book. In a handsome late 18th century binding of maroon calf, decorated in gold on the spine and covers. Here is the census information: “The copy is #13 in De Ricci's Census of Caxtons (The Landaff House Copy, sold in 1871, then to Jonathan Peckover (his signature on the flyleaf), and by descent to Lord Peckover of Wisbech.” Please contact James Wynne if you know the whereabouts of this item: James P. Wynne Cell: 347-820-0840 Email: jim@artrisk.com [more Missing: Caxton Polycronicon]

The ABAA is proud to announce the ABAA Mentorship Program sponsored by the Gender Equity Initiative, welcoming all early-career participants in the rare book trade. The program is aimed at furthering the ABAA's mission to promote ethical standards and professionalism in the antiquarian book trade, encourage the collecting and preservation of rare and antiquarian books and related materials, and facilitate collegial relations within the trade. GOALS Further the mission of the ABAA. Provide dealers early in their careers with the opportunity to advance their professional development. Build a recruitment pipeline for the Association that enhances the number of qualified applicants to expand the scope of new members. Allow mentees to build a relationship with an ABAA member. Educate potential candidates about a career in the trade (for example, graduate students looking for a profession outside of academia). STRUCTURE Mentors and mentees will be paired with consideration of various factors such as specific requests, specialization/area of focus, and business structure. Location could also be a point of consideration. Once paired, mentors and mentees will commence a one year period of mentorship (May 15, 2025-May 1, 2026). Over the course of the year, mentors and mentees are required to have face-to-face communication for a minimum of 1-2 hours each month (this could be completed electronically). The schedule structure to meet this requirement will be determined by the pair. We en... [more ABAA Mentorship Program 2025]

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Weekly Highlights

By Rich Rennicks

Our members list new acquisitions and recently cataloged items almost every day of the year. Below, you'll find a few highlights from these recent additions... Lolita by Nabokov, Vladimir Paris: Olympia Press, 1959 Two volumes. First edition, fourth printing. Publisher's original green wrappers, printed in black and white. Near fine set, with light wear to edges of Vol. II wrappers including a small closed tear to right edge of front wrapper, a light scratch to rear wrapper of Vol. II, and "New Price" stamp to rear wrapper of Vol. I and a couple of other faint stamp marks to wrappers of both volumes. Overall, an attractive set, with very clean pages. A controversial novel due to its racy subject matter, Lolita tells the story of Humbert Humbert, a professor of literature with a penchant for pre-teen "nymphets." Specifically, Nabokov chronicles the unstable narrator's romantic interest in Dolores Haze, the daughter of his landlord and wife, whom he privately nicknames "Lolita." Lolita was first published in 1955 as part of Olympia Press' Traveller's Companion series, which included other literary classics like Henry Miller's Quiet Days in Clichy (1956) and William S. Burroughs' The Naked Lunch (1959). The Olympia Press was well known for its liberal selection of literature; many English-speaking authors published their books with Olympia in Paris after being rejected by other publishing houses. Notably, in 1962, Lolita was adapted into a film by Stanley Kubrick starring Sue Ly... [more Weekly Highlights]

The Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America is proud to announce another edition of the paid internship program co-sponsored by AbeBooks. We invite you to apply and share this opportunity with qualified applicants at your institution and beyond. This 10-week paid, hands-on, learning-oriented program seeks to provide an opportunity for individuals seeking to pursue a career in the antiquarian and rare book trade by offering tools, experiences, and exposures necessary to assist them in achieving their career goals. The intern will gain experience in research, cataloging, customer relations, and more with an ABAA member as host. Application Requirements Minimum requirement of a high school diploma, OR currently enrolled student in any degree program, OR recent graduate (< 1-year post-grad). Must be detail-oriented, have experience doing independent research, have strong writing skills and time management, and be comfortable working on solo and collaborative projects. Prior experience working in a bookstore, library, or customer service setting is a plus. Ability to secure summer housing independently and ability to coordinate commute if necessary. Ability to perform basic video recording and editing for internship projects. ABAA INTERNSHIP APPLICATION The application deadline is 2 PM ET on April 14, 2025 ABAA Headquarters will be available throughout the entire process, from applications to internship pairings through the completion of the program, to address any questio... [more ABAA Internship Program]

The ABAA New York International Antiquarian Book Fair returns to the iconic Park Avenue Armory in New York City from April 3-6, 2025, celebrating its 65th Edition. Below are some highlights from among the many rare items the more-than 200 exhibitors will be bringing to New York from all over the world. (Tickets are available at this link...) FIVE DOLLAR BILL POSE--RARE IN THIS FULL-PLATE SIZE One Of The Most Sought-After And Iconic Poses Of Lincoln IN A SIZE THAT COMMANDS ATTENTION (Lincoln Photograph) Berger, Anthony Oval Sepia Albumen Photograph, on original card mount . . Original oval decorative wooden frame. 8”x6” (sight); 16-3.8” x 14-1/2” (frame). A fine and rare full-plate original print of the famous “$5bill” pose (only lately retired during currency redesign), taken by Anthony Berger at Mathew Brady's Washington gallery on 9 Feb. 1864. Robert Todd Lincoln called this “the most satisfactory likeness”of his father. It is one of several poses Berger took that day including the beautiful portrait of Lincoln and his son Tad viewing a photo album; that same album is quite visible, sitting on a table at Lincoln's right. Lincoln's watch fob is unusually distinct, as are his cheek bones and famous mole.I nterestingly, Lincoln's barber had parted his hair on the right side, whereas it was usually seen parted on his left side. Also quite distinct is the famous “Brady Chair” of carved oak made by Bembe & Kimbel and one of 262 chairs commissioned for the US H... [more New York Book Fair: Highlights]

Books are more than just stored knowledge—they are physical objects worthy of thoughtful and dynamic display. Whether for a temporary pop-up exhibition or a longer-term showcase under glass, displaying these heritage objects requires careful consideration of both aesthetics and preservation care. For March, the Brown Bag Lunch Series would like to invite you to join Natasha Herman of Redbone Bindery for her talk on The Display of Books in Exhibition Spaces on Tuesday, March 25, at 2 pm ET. This lecture will explore key principles of book display, including structural support, preventive conservation best practices, design and display contexts. By examining the intersection of physics, materials, and exhibition design, attendees will gain practical strategies for creating visually engaging yet preservation-conscious book displays. The Display of Books in Exhibition Spaces. Tuesday, March 25 @ 2 PM ET Register here... Natasha Herman Natasha Herman is founder and sole proprietor of Redbone Bindery, a book conservation studio focused on the care and preservation of antiquarian books. Concurrently, she directs the STILT project, where she brings her craft and engineering skills to the design, development and production of book support and exhibition products. Natasha has taught ethics and approaches to heritage conservation as guest lecturer at the National Library of Australia, the Auckland City Library in New Zealand, the Canadian Museum of History and National Gallery of Cana... [more March Brown Bag: Display of Books]

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New York Book Fair 2025

By Rich Rennicks

The ABAA New York International Antiquarian Book Fair -- officially sanctioned by Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America (ABAA) and International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB) and produced and managed by Sanford L. Smith + Associates -- is set to return to the iconic Park Avenue Armory in New York City from April 3-6, 2025, celebrating its 65th Edition. The ABAA New York International Antiquarian Book Fair (NYIABF) stands as one of New York's cultural cornerstones, returning to the city as a must-see event of the Spring season. Known as the world's premier antiquarian book fair, this year's edition will showcase more than 200 exhibitors from across the globe and cementing its status as an internationally renowned event. With its unique blend of history, literature and art, the fair attracts a diverse mix of collectors, from seasoned bibliophiles and literary icons to new enthusiasts and young collectors eager to discover rare and accessible treasures. Prices for items at the fair range from modest finds starting at $50 to multimillion-dollar rarities. The 65th edition of the NYIABF will offer an impressive range of collectibles across various disciplines, including art, science, medicine, literature, history, gastronomy, fashion, first editions, Americana, philosophy, children's books and much more. Whether you're drawn to religious texts, historical manuscripts, groundbreaking scientific works, or rare illustrated editions, the fair's selection spans ever... [more New York Book Fair 2025]

Browse the latest catalogs, newsletters, and e-lists of rare books, fine bindings, incunabula, print ephemera, and much more from the members of the ABAA below. (Also includes podcasts, blog posts, and other digital formats.) *New* indicates any catalogs brought to our attention since mid-February 2025. AARDVARK BOOKS/EZRA TISHMAN BOOK APPRAISALS SABF 2024 Highlights 16 Recent Aardvarkian Acquisitions ABACUS BOOKS Modern Poetry Rubaiyat ABRAHAM LINCOLN BOOK SHOP July Book List: The Virginia Regimental History Series January Book List CHARLES AGVENT STRUGGLE RESISTANCE REVOLUTION *New* Winter Miscellany ANDERSON BUTLER RARE BOOKS Americana April Miscellany ANTIPODEAN BOOKS, MAPS, PRINTS E-list #44 ~ W.W.I., Americana, Australia, Photographs, Maps, Ephemera E-list #43 ~ Antipodean Books at the Brooklyn Virtual Book Fair NICK ARETAKIS - AMERICANA January 2025 New Acquisitions December 2024 New Acquisitions in Americana ARGONAUT BOOK SHOP Holiday Miscellany Recent Acquisitions & Selections from Stock (Summer 2024) JAMES ARSENAULT & COMPANY African Americana, February 2025 Recent Acquisitions and Highlights in Maps and Views Featured item: Remington, Barbara. Middle Earth : Ballantine Books, . Color halftone, 36.25” x 23.625, on slightly larger sheet. CONDITION: Very good, occasional slight rippling, one faint dot of soiling below “a” in “Forodwaith” at top, 1.5” pen mark at serial number in lower-left corner, recently backed with Japanese tissue. A rare and visually e... [more Latest Catalogs of Rare Books]

The following item was reported stolen during a house burglary in Southampton, UK, around the dates July 31 to August 1, 2024. A complete copy of the 1668 edition of Ogilby's translation of Aesop's original Fables with the added AEsopics (or A Second Collec�on of Fables) (1668). Printed in London by Thomas Roycroft. Hardbound, with a contemporary binding (albeit in need of some repair). If the book appears or offered, please contact Ed Zaluska- Ed@zaluska.com [more Stolen in Southampton, UK: A Copy of Ogilby’s Aesop, 1668]