Binding the book trade together: how associations work to protect and promote dealers - Part 2 of 3

Image above: The ABAA 2024 New York International Antiquarian Book Fair. Photo by Meredith Nierman

ABAA

The Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America (ABAA) was founded in 1949. Its mission is to promote ethical standards and professionalism in the antiquarian book trade, to encourage the collecting and preservation of rare and antiquarian books and related materials, to support educational programmes and research into the study of rare books, and to facilitate collegial relations between booksellers, librarians, scholars, and collectors. Here, the organisation answers our questions.

How have you reacted to the new tariffs and what support have you been providing to your members?

As of now, all information we have suggests that there is no change in books etc, being duty-free. We have been working with a team of trade attorneys to stay up-to-date on the rapidly changing tariffs. These have changed from day to day and even hour by hour, and we will hold a webinar for members once the schedule is finalised.

What constitutes good practice and due diligence within the trade?

It’s important to establish provenance whenever possible. That could mean inquiring with the seller, searching auction records or catalogues, dealer catalogues, etc. When in doubt, check the ABAA’s Stolen & Missing Books blog, the ILAB Missing Books Register, or ask colleagues if they are missing an item.

The most recent California Book Fair in Pasadena - scheduled for February 7-9, 2025 - had to be cancelled (due to the wildfires in the area). When will the next one be held?

The reason for the cancellation is devastating. The fires caused so many to lose their homes and property. Our Benevolent Fund exists to help booksellers, whether members or not, in times of need. Our trustees stepped in to offer grants to sellers and printers who had suffered losses. Our members were also very generous with their donations.

In terms of the fair exhibitors, everyone was fully refunded. We’ll be in San Francisco at Pier 27 in 2026 and look forward to returning to Pasadena in 2027.

In-person book fairs: how important are they for booksellers?

For sellers, it is very important that they have the opportunity for interaction with customers, both old and new, in a ‘live’ venue. It is also important to be able to promote oneself in person. As buyers, they can examine colleagues’ material for pricing and to help get a sense of possible market trends.

How do you keep things fresh as a fair organiser?

At some of our fairs, we have themes where local institutions might exhibit materials from their special collections libraries, or we might hold talks around the theme. This helps draw in prospective collectors with special interests in the topic. At other fairs, like our most recent New York fair, we have fair ambassadors. These people are notable writers, musicians, artists, and businesspeople who share a love of collecting and an appreciation for the fair.

Is there a changing face of the book buyer?

I would use the word ‘expanding’. Nowadays, there are more young collectors, and greater diversity overall.

How are member demographics of your organisation changing?

There are more women and people of colour, and the material collected has grown.

How are you attracting new members?

We have a mentorship programme and an internship programme to do outreach at earlier stages of a seller’s business. Our members are often the best ambassadors and encourage their colleagues to join.

How has the last six months been and what can we expect over the next six months?

Reports from dealers and via our virtual fairs show strong sales over the last six months. Since we’re in uncharted territory with the global economy, it’s difficult to predict what the next six months hold. Typically, truly rare material sells even during tough times. After all, bookselling and collecting have been around for centuries.

abaa.org