The Brattle Book Shop in Boston, MA was originally founded in 1825, but has been a Gloss family business since 1949. Today, the Brattle Book Shop is one of the oldest and largest antiquarian brick and mortar bookstores in the country. Ken is a past President of the New England Chapter of the ABAA and he frequently lectures on book-related themes to bibliographic and historical societies. Ken also chairs the Boston Book Fair Committee. ABAA Member since 1951. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg at the New York International Antiquarian Book Fair.
Bookseller Interviews
A few years ago, Michael Ginsberg embarked upon an archival journey for the ABAA. Recognizing the absence of member histories in the ABAA annals, Michael began conducting video interviews of members at our three annual fairs. The interviews cover members' personal histories as well as their involvement in the rare book trade. The ABAA extends many thanks to Michael, as well as Taylor Bowie, who has also conducted a number of interviews.
The Brattle Book Shop in Boston, MA was originally founded in 1825, but has been a Gloss family business since 1949. Today, the Brattle Book Shop is one of the oldest and largest antiquarian brick and mortar bookstores in the country. Ken is a past President of the New England Chapter of the ABAA and he frequently lectures on book-related themes to bibliographic and historical societies. Ken also chairs the Boston Book Fair Committee. ABAA Member since 1951. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg at the New York International Antiquarian Book Fair.
Prior to his career as an antiquarian bookseller in Claremont, CA, Charles A. Goldsmid spent almost 20 years in the field of sociology teaching, researching, and administrating projects at several respected institutions. He was always a collector, however, and, like many collectors, began selling books as well. Charles served on the Board of Governors from 1992-1994. Charles A. Goldsmid, Bookseller specializes in Scholarly Books, Western Americana, Social Science, Literature, and Appraisals. ABAA Member since 1988. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg at the California International Antiquarian Book Fair in Pasadena.
Thomas A. Goldwasser of San Francisco, CA is currently the President of the ABAA (2014-2016). He has previously served as Vice-President and Treasurer of the Association and chaired the Finance and National Book Fair Committees. Tom has spent his entire professional career in the trade and became a member of the ABAA in 1992. Thomas A. Goldwasser Rare Books specializes in Literature, Modern Illustrated Books, Twentieth Century, Livres d'Artistes, Modern First Editions, Literary Manuscripts and Letters, and Hawaii and the Pacific. Tom also performs Appraisals and Collection Service. ABAA Member since 1992. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg at the Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair.
Before becoming a bookseller, William R. Stewart served in the U.S. Navy and then taught high school English for a number of years. Bill decided to open a bookstore with his wife in 1995, and Vamp & Tramp, Booksellers was born. Vamp & Tramp, Booksellers, LLC is based out of Birmingham, AL and specializes in Artists' Books, Book Arts, and Press Books (Fine & Private). ABAA Member from 1999 until his death in 2019. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg on February 16, 2013 at the California International Antiquarian Book Fair in San Francisco.
Ed Smith began as a collector of first editions and Charles Bukowski, and he began selling on the side to fund his own collection. In 1990 he established his own firm and he became a member of the ABAA in 1995. Ed served on the ABAA's Board of Governors for several years. Ed Smith Books operates out of Rolling Bay, WA and specializes in Modern Literature, First Editions, Photography, Screenplays, Signed Books, and Appraisals of Books and Photographs. ABAA Member since 1995. Interviewed by Taylor Bowie on October 12, 2013 at the Seattle Antiquarian Book Fair.
Ralph Sipper founded Joseph The Provider/Books in San Francisco in 1970. He began selling rare books under his own name in 1996. Ralph has written a number of essays and book reviews, which can be found on his website. His business papers, correspondence, and professional writings are held at Indiana University's Lilly Library. Ralph Sipper/Books is located in Santa Barbara, CA and specializes in First Editions of Modern Literature, Manuscripts, Letters, Association Copies, Mystery & Detective Fiction, Cinema Books, and the Twentieth Century. ABAA Member since 1973. Interviewed by Taylor Bowie on October 9, 2011 at the Seattle Antiquarian Book Fair.
Justin G. Schiller founded his firm in New York, NY in 1960. Justin G. Schiller Ltd. specializes in Early and Rare Children's Books, Related Manuscripts and Artwork, Maurice Sendak, Chinese Propaganda and the Cultural Revolution. ABAA Member since 1967. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg on April 10, 2010 at the New York International Antiquarian Book Fair.
Robert Rulon-Miller, Jr. has been involved in the antiquarian book trade probably for as long as he can remember. His father, Robert Rulon-Miller, Sr., was a respected bookman and a former of the ABAA. After graduating from college, Rob became a full-time bookseller, first with his late father's firm, The Current Company, and later on his own with Rulon-Miller Books. Rob is a past President of the ABAA and a faculty member at the Colorado Antiquarian Book Seminar. Rulon-Miller Books operates out of St. Paul, MN and specializes in Rare, Fine & Interesting Books in Many Fields, First Editions, Americana, Literature, Fine & Early Printing, Travel, History of Language, and Appraisals. ABAA Member since 1975. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg at the Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair.
Barney is a former President of the Association (1968-1970) and also served on the Board of Governors. He remains active in the book world to this day. ABAA Member from 1952, Emeritus since 2021, until his passing in 2017. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg on February 16, 2013 at the California International Antiquarian Book Fair in San Francisco. Please visit the following link to read Barney's interview with Daniel J. Slive: http://rbm.acrl.org/content/4/1/45.full.pdf
Barbara Rootenberg founded B. & L. Rootenberg Rare Books & Manuscripts in 1970 and has been a member of the ABAA since 1976. B. & L. Rootenberg Rare Books & Manuscripts is located in Sherman Oaks, CA and specializes in Science, Medicine, Natural History, Technology, Early Printed Books, Mathematics, Literature, Exploration, and Americana. ABAA Member Since 1971. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg at the California International Antiquarian Book Fair in Pasadena.
Linwood Respess was introduced to the world of rare books in 1979, while he was a graduate student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. By the following year he had opened up a shop of his own. In 1981, Lin was joined in his rare book venture by his wife Tucker and L & T Respess Books was born. L & T Respess Books operates out of Northampton, MA and specializes in Rare Americana, Southern Americana, English & American Literature, Hunting & Fishing, Manuscripts, Ephemera, and General Antiquarian books. ABAA Member since 1987. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg at the New York International Antiquarian Book Fair.
William Reese founded William Reese Company in New Haven in 1975. William earned a reputation as one of the foremost American booksellers and a leading specialist in Americana and world travel. He published works related to Americana bibliography and numerous articles on book collecting and the rare book trade. William Reese Company specializes in Americana of all periods and areas, Atlases and Maps, English, American and Continental Literature, Natural History, Travel, and Voyages. ABAA Member from 1980-2018. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg on April 10, 2010 at the New York International Antiquarian Book Fair.
Ronald R. Randall of Randall House in Santa Barbara, CA comes from a bookish family- his father was a well known librarian and book dealer who published an autobiography, Dukedom Large Enough, about the trade. Ronald served on the Board of Governors and sat as Membership Chair during the 1980s. Randall House specializes in Fine and Rare books in many fields with a current emphasis on Sporting Books, the American Revolutionary War and Women's Studies. ABAA Member from 1975-2023. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg on February 16, 2013 at the California International Antiquarian Book Fair in San Francisco.
Richard C. Ramer has been a bookseller since 1970. Richard specializes in fine and rare books pertaining to Portugal, Brazil, Former Portuguese Possessions in Asia and Africa, Spain, the Philippines and Latin America in all subjects from all periods. He works out of New York City and Lisboa, Portugal. ABAA Member since 1975. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg on April 10, 2010 at the New York International Antiquarian Book Fair.
James Pepper has been a part of the antiquarian book trade since the 1970s and is a long-standing member of the ABAA. James Pepper Rare Books, Inc. operates out of Santa Barbara, CA and specializes in Literature, Performing Arts, Autographs, Manuscripts, Rare Cinema Material, and Literary First Editions. ABAA Member since 1980. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg on February 16, 2013 at the California International Antiquarian Book Fair in Pasadena.