Full-time antiquarian booksellers are pretty rare when
you think about it -- often times rarer than the books they deal in. There are only a few hundred of them in the
United States. They are purveyors and protectors
of important printed material in a wide variety of fields. Among
them are some of my favorite people. A
first-hand visit with a professional antiquarian bookseller is a treat, and
given the diversity of personalities and backgrounds involved, often an
adventure. One is lucky to have a
handful of them, if that, living nearby depending on your location. Vacations and trips offer other
opportunities. Book fairs are the
primary conduit to meet a large number of such booksellers face-to-face. However, even then, the time is limited, they
are often distracted with customers (hopefully), and one is often left
wondering about their background and experiences. Many of the best booksellers are members of
the ABAA (Antiquarian Booksellers of America).
My friend Douglas Adams reminded me of the ABAA’s series of video
interviews with member booksellers.
Although the videos are relatively short in length, usually 15 to 30
minutes, they provide a treasure trove of insight into origins and
personalities. Fellow booksellers
Michael Ginsberg and Taylor Bowie conducted the interviews. I highly recommend taking a look. Get your popcorn ready.
If you ever get to Vegas, stop in and visit. We love to talk to book lovers.
ReplyDeleteYou bet, pun intended! Kurt
ReplyDelete