Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America (ABAA) is an organization of rare and antiquarian book dealers.
Contents |
[edit] History
Founded in 1949, the ABAA is the benchmark for professionalism and ethics in the rare book trade in the United States.
[edit] Membership
Applicants must have been in the business of rare books or printed matter a minimum of four years, be sponsored by four current members, and provide three references as basic requirements for membership. The ABAA has a comprehensive code of ethics by which all of its members must abide, requiring authentication and accurate description of all items offered for sale.
[edit] Purpose
The non-profit organization's 450+ members deal in rare books, autographs, historical documents, prints, and maps, and its members have provided guidance in building the world's foremost private and institutional collections. In addition to sales and guidance, many members offer appraisals.
The association maintains a website featuring a wealth of educational articles and resources about the rare book trade, as well as a searchable membership database. The web site lists approximately two million fine and rare books for sale by members. The ABAA also publishes an annual membership directory and a quarterly newsletter.
The association created the Elisabeth Woodburn Fund in honor of a past president of the association which periodically offers scholarships to members and non-members to further their education in the trade. The Benevolent Fund offers financial assistance to member and non-member booksellers in times of hardship.
The ABAA hosts three book fairs per year: California in February (Los Angeles and San Francisco in alternating years), New York in April, and Boston in mid-Autumn.
