Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton is a phenomenon, even by the standards of hit Broadway musicals; people who have no hope of getting their paws on a ticket until sometime next year are obsessively listening to the cast recording and watching videos compulsively on YouTube. If the subject matter was anthropomorphic felines or an alternative take on a classic children's book we wouldn't blink an eye, but Miranda's remarkable success is built on the comparatively dry history of the founding fathers that most people day-dreamed their way through in high school. Looking through the items listed by ABAA members, we find many rare books and documents signed or written by the actual people dramatized in the musical. While you're waiting for more tickets to be made available, check out some of these amazing first editions, fine-press reprints, and even some original documents signed or written by or about Alexander Hamilton, Lafayette, James Madison, Aaron Burr, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington. The Federalist: A Collection of Essays BURR: "Alexander joins forces with James Madison and John Jay to write a series of essays defending the new United States Constitution, entitled The Federalist Papers. The plan was to write a total of twenty-five essays. In the end, they wrote eighty-five essays, in the span of six months. John Jay got sick after writing five. James Madison wrote twenty-nine. Hamilton wrote the other fifty-one!" -- lyrics from "Non-Stop" (Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hamilton:... [more Collecting Alexander Hamilton]
Book Collecting in the United States: A 21st-Century View of Our Collectors, Our Research Libraries, and Our Booksellers While the antiquarian book community is very small worldwide, it has been in the United States, the tiniest of them all, until very recently. Among all the cultures around the world who have written and read manuscripts and printed books in their variety of forms, North American literacy and book production occurred centuries if not millennia after those of predecessors like the Chinese, Greek, Hebrew and Mesopotamian, Indian, Mexican and Central America peoples. 1 As our many settlers came to North America and found homes, books were often left behind, either in the “old country” or before an arduous journey across the land. A bible, sacred book, or a family memento might accompany the traveler, but not a heavy, cumbersome library. Also, in early America, libraries and bookshops were few and far between. Overall, books remained a very minor part of life in this country until the end of the 19th century, when printing technology made the book widely available and accessible due to machine-set type, machine-rolled paper, and a perfected method of binding. As a result, we Americans as a whole have little knowledge of old books or printing history. Until recently, there was only a small group of serious book collectors in America. These collectors acquired antiquarian books and manuscripts, especially on the subjects such as travel and exploration of Ameri... [more Book Collecting in the United States (Part 1)]
When you pick up a book to read, do you also pick up a pencil, ready to mark up the margins with your thoughts and ideas? If so, your written additions are part of a body of writings called marginalia. For many readers, scribbling on the pages of books is a beloved, recreational practice. For others, it's more of a necessity. Whether they are humorous jots and tittles, lessons learned from the story, or more serious notes of textual analysis, marginalia are simply fascinating. System of Chemistry, 5 vols. by THOMSON, T - ASSOCIATION COPY WITH THOMAS COOPER'S NOTES AND DRAWINGS Edinburgh: Bell & Bradfute, 1807. Third Edition.. Full contemporary calf.. Good; bindings broken on all volumes; library bookplates in all volumes; otherwise quite clean and bright throughout.. 8vo, Four printed plates. The J K Mitchell, John Redman, Thomas Cooper copy. Accompanied by hundreds of pages of Cooper's original marginalia and notes with his original ink wash drawings of chemical set-ups and apparatus. The set is signed in volume 1 on a blank portion of the title: "Thomas Cooper, Northumberland ". Below that is the inscription: "Bought by J K Mitchell from Redman" - J K Mitchell has signed all the title pages of the set. What is unique about this set is that Cooper has annotated every volume with his notes and commentary. In addition he has added four original ink wash drawings to the endsheets that illustrate his coal gas apparatus, Accum's hydro-pneumatic table (Cooper eventually edited the... [more In Defense of Marginalia]
At a time when some brick and mortar antiquarian bookstores are closing their doors in favor of an internet-only presence, Matthew and Adrienne Raptis, of Raptis Rare Books, have gone against the grain and recently opened a rare bookstore on Worth Avenue in Palm Beach. Worth Avenue, like Madison Avenue or Rodeo Drive, is synonymous with luxury brands and caters to an island that is home to the rich and famous, including the new President-elect, Donald Trump. Raptis Rare Books had previously operated mainly as a catalog and online business out of a beautiful Italianate villa in Vermont, but Matthew Raptis wanted to have more interaction with his customers and allow people to come into greater contact with “these wonderful written works of art.” The new gallery opened on November 1, but the grand-opening is being held until January 2017, when the holiday rush is past. "We've had an outstanding initial reception to the store,” Matthew commented. “People love the idea of something new and different on the Avenue and when they walk in they often talk about their love of the smell of old books and how a particular book touched their lives. Holding a rare book is like holding a bit of history in your hands.” Almost all of the books in the Raptis Rare Books inventory are first editions and many of them are signed or inscribed by the author. Matthew and Adrienne refer to the new store as a gallery because "like fine art, in a way it is like stepping into a museum." Unlike a ... [more Raptis Rare Books Moves to Palm Beach, Florida]
I think of myself as a Beatrix Potter fan. I bought some nice reproductions of the original Peter Rabbit stories for my kids when they were young, and my Farmer McGregor impression regularly reduced them to fits of giggles. But, until recently, I never realized there are literally dozens of books and characters by Potter that I've never come across. Perhaps publishers don't believe her brand of simple humor and anthrpomorphic animals doesn't appeal to "modern" children (although mine would strongly disagree), but a search of the ABAA database reveals some wonderful stories and colorful characters that likely won't be familar to anyone but children's book collectors and rare book dealers. You can view our members' listings for yourself, but here are just five books by Beatrix Potter that most people are unlikely to have heard of... GINGER & PICKLES London, Frederick Warne and Co., 1909, first edition. Color frontispiece with several other illustrations, most of them in color, with the 1909 publication date on the title page. Ginger was a tom-cat and Pickles was a terrier, they gave unlimited credit to their customers, Peter Rabbit among them, and thus went broke. (Offered by James M. Dourgarian, Bookman) Search for other copies of Ginger & Pickles... THE FAIRY CARAVAN Philadelphia: McKay (1929). 8vo, green cloth, pictorial paste-on, Fine. 1st U.S. ed. (Priority of U.S. and U.K. editions has not been determined). After Potter finished her Peter Rabbit series Potter intended to ... [more Five Beatrix Potter Books You’ve Probably Never Heard Of]
Longtime ABAA-member John Windle has a new endeavor, The William Blake Gallery, a new exhibition space in San Francisco dedicated to works created by the massively influential 18th and 19th century poet, artist, and engraver. The gallery is the largest of its kind devoted solely to the artist, as well as the largest collection in the world of pieces by Blake available for purchase. The opening exhibition (“Always in Paradise: A William Blake Chrestomathy”) features works by Blake's own hand, including a stunning tempera painting, an important preparatory wash painting, and the earliest impression of an illuminated plate printed by Blake ever offered for sale — a proof plate from Songs of Innocence. Also exhibited are many other prints of unparalleled quality, displaying Blake's range and many of his most iconic images. "Tyger Tyger, burning bright, In the forests of the night; What immortal hand or eye, Could frame thy fearful symmetry? " – William Blake Widely considered to be one of the greatest contributors to the Western world of literature and art, William Blake's lifetime of otherworldly work was motivated by mystic visions and spiritual revelations. Creating hundreds of artworks -- from engraved illustrations and illuminated books to original writings and watercolors -- his deeply unique style remains endlessly enigmatic and highly sought after. Favored by an eclectic groups of fans and collectors, Blake remains one of the only seminal Romantic artists whose wo... [more New William Blake Gallery]
More than 120 dealers from around the world rendevous every fall at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston's Back Bay to display their latest acquisitions to collectors. 2016 will see the 40th annual book fair in Boston, taking place over the weekend of October 28-30. Here are some selected highlights of the items ABAA members will be taking to the Boston Book Fair this year. A full-page document (see attached) signed by Thomas Cushing, submitted to the Senate and House of Representatives of the state of Massachusetts, dated Oct. 2, 1783, stating that when the British troops were in possession of Boston in the year 1775, he suffered the loss of “the greatest and most valuable part of his household furniture while he was attending his duty at Congress and his family were (sic) drove out of the Town of Boston, destitute of any furniture.” This letter was submitted to Congress as a request for compensation regarding losses incurred during the British occupation of Boston. (Offered by Old Editions Book Shop) Moore, Clement C., The Night Before Christmas or A Visit of St. Nicholas. New York: McLoughlin Brothers, 1888. First Edition. Near fine in heavy paper, printed wraps over a sewn binding. A quarto measuring 12 by 10 inches with minor rubbing to the fore corners of the front cover. Without a dust jacket. Unpaginated, but containing 18 pages counting the interior sides of the covers. Illustrated throughout with color chromolithographs by an unknown artist. An extremely clean ... [more Boston Book Fair: Featured Items!]
David J. Holmes was born in Somerville NJ in 1945 to Forrest and Margaret (Reed) Holmes. His childhood was blessed by wonderful family and friends and a deep love of nature. He spent the spare moments of his youth “brookside” in New Jersey, studying the ways of the water, and along the Jersey shore. Later this love was to bring him to purchase his summer home in Port Clyde, Maine. David was also a gifted athlete. When it came time to go to college he selected a sports-oriented school (Springfield College) and then surprised everyone by majoring in English. It was here that he met Barbara Ware, the woman who would become his wife. He and Barbara spent a summer together studying at Oxford University in England where David discovered the world of rare books and manuscripts—a passion that was to become the focus of his life's work. He and Barbara both earned Master's Degrees in English at Northeastern University. They married in 1968 and Dave joined the Coast Guard as a hospital corpsman. He was stationed in Ketchikan, Alaska and served on the buoy-tender, the Bittersweet. David's career in rare books began in Boston in 1972 where he ran his own business out of the corner of a tiny apartment in the company of his new baby, Sarah. In 1975, he joined the firm of George S. MacManus in Philadelphia, where he ran the literature department, and the family relocated to Collingswood New Jersey. Eventually, David was to operate out of his own shop on Broad Street in Philadelphia, ov... [more In Memoriam: David Holmes, 1945-2016]
Yes, Boston is a great city with many great book shops, but is its book fair a must-see event? Well, the short answer is "Hell, Yes!" But you'll need more convincing than mere enthusiasm, so here are ten powerful reasons to attend the 2016 Boston Book Fair, ten ways in which it will probably make you a better-informed collector. 1. Meet 100s of Rare Book Experts Sure, there wll be more than 120 rare book dealers from the US and abroad exhibiting at this year's book fair, but they are not the only rare book experts in the room. Each dealer brings 2-3 staff, all experts in their particular areas, so that means at least 300 bona fide rare book experts on the dealer side of the tables alone. But many of the attendees are also extremely knowledgable as well. They have lifetimes of experience working in rare book libraries and archives, researching historical biography through primary sources, or developing collections in obscure but fascinating areas. The people you share an elevator with probably have years of experience and knowledge, have probably viewed, handled, or owned a great many rare books, and are likely only too happy to discuss rare books and collecting with both seasoned collectors and enthusiastic beginners. Rare Book Fairs are about far more than acquiring certain books or ephemera; they are about building relationships with dealers, getting to know other collectors, and gaining knowledge and perspective that will enrich and inform your collecting for years to come... [more Ten Reasons to Attend the Boston Book Fair]
The 2016 Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair will present a special exhibition, Collecting the Boston Music Scene: 1976-2016, in honor of their host city. David Bieber, formerly of WBCN, will display a selection of highlights from his extensive archives of rock posters, albums, and ephemera chronicling 40 years of Boston's vibrant music scene — a collection that features collections of items connected local groups like Aerosmith, The J. Geils Band, and The Cars, as well as many quirky one-of-a-kind pieces by other artists. Boston has always been known as a music town, giving birth to groups of all genres—rock, folk, jazz, blues—and a spate of legendary venues that hosted them—The Boston Tea Party, Paul's Mall and the Jazz Workshop, Club Passim, the Underground, and the Paradise, to name a few. That music scene was aided and abetted by WBCN, “the Rock of Boston,” which dominated the airwaves, followed by other stations over the years which carved out different musical niches—WEEI, which virtually invented soft rock; WXKS, for disco and dance music; and WFNX, Boston's first radio station dedicated solely to alternative rock. The items on view in this exhibition are a small selection of Bieber's extensive archives, offering attendees look behind the scenes of Boston's evolving music history over four decades. As a Boston music insider, Bieber has been amassing the collection since his days as Director of Creative Services at WBCN and later, as Director of Sp... [more Collecting the Boston Music Scene: 1976-2016]