Michael Silverman passed away in the age of 61

By John Critchley

Michael Silverman, the leading UK dealer in Autograph Letters and Manuscripts, died on Thursday 12 May: he had suffered a cerebral haemorrhage the previous day. He was 61 years old.

Michael was born and brought up in Leeds, attending the Leeds Grammar School, where he excelled in Latin and Greek. He went on to read Classics at Oxford. He started his bookselling career with Sotheran's in 1984, becoming their specialist in autograph letters and manuscripts. He left to set up in business on his own in 1989 and became an ABA member in 1992.

He became a member of the ABA General Committee in 1998 and was still serving on Council, as it became known after the ABA became a limited company, when he died. During that time he was the Newsletter Editor for eight years and was latterly the Chairman of the Trustees of the ABA Educational Trust.

Michael was buried on Sunday 15 May in Leeds, a city where he had deep roots.

If any readers would like to write to his partner, Dorothy Lothian, they met when they were both working at Sotheran's, they would be welcome to address their letters care of the ABA office, Sackville House, 40 Piccadilly, London W1J 0DR.