Natalie Bauman, 1946 - 2025

She distinguished herself as one of the most successful American rare book dealers of the past half century.
She rose to prominence in an era when the field was primarily characterized and governed by men.
Her presence, an undeniable one, ferociously earned, marked a shift in this traditional balance, a trend which has continued to this day.
Veteran dealers remarked she was always to be respected and never underestimated. Her uncanny memory for bibliographic points and knowledge of important books, combined with keen business acumen, allowed her, along with her husband David, to establish one of the largest firms of its kind, with retail locations in three states.

Natalie helped collectors assemble celebrated, world-class collections, representing great achievements in science, literature, and political thought. Her tireless pursuit of the best books, which took her across the nation and abroad for decades, provided her with a nearly unparalleled overview of the state of the trade at any given time, which books were where, which were best, and, most importantly, how one might acquire them.

For many years, she knew everyone in the trade, and everyone knew her. She was an eminent member of a generation of booksellers that helped to alter the public perception of the field from one believed to be esoteric and exclusive to one that is understood as accessible to newcomers.

Contributions in her memory may be made to American Cancer Society, 1818 Market St., Ste 2820, Phila., PA 19103. www.cancer.org or St. Christopher’s Hosp. for Children, 160 E. Erie Ave., Phila., PA 19134, www.towerhealth.org/locations/st-christophers-hospital-children