Bookseller Interviews

After graduating Wellesley College and receiving a M.A. in art history from Columbia University, Robin Bledsoe worked for fourteen years as an editor for George Braziller, Yale University Press, and the New York Graphic Society. In 1973, Robin began a part-time catalog business and by 1983 she began selling on her own.

Robin Bledsoe, Bookseller operates out of Cambridge, MA and specializes in Equestrian, horses, Art History, Exhibition Catalogues, Gardens, Architecture, Decorative Arts, Photography, Classical Archaeology, Graphic Design, and Book Arts. ABAA Member since 1985. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg on November 9, 2013 at the Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair.

Carl Blomgren has been a member of the ABAA since 2008 and specializes in interesting and rare books in many fields with an emphasis on architecture, art, photography, posters,and illustrated books. Carl Blomgren - Fine Books is located in Petaluma, California.

ABAA Member since 2008. Interviewed by Kara McLaughlin of Little Sages on February 8, 2020 at the California International Antiquarian Book Fair in Pasadena.

Thomas Boss originally trained as a musician at Boston University. He began working in bookshops and collecting books during his time as an undergraduate. A few years after graduating, Thomas formed his own book business.

Thomas G. Boss Fine Books operates out of Boston, MA and specializes in the 1890s, Fine Bindings, Illustrated Books, Fine Printing, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Bookplates, Books about Books, Original Art, and Posters. ABAA Member since 1989. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg at the Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair.

Taylor has been a member in the ABAA since 1981 and specializes in General Antiquarian, also including The USA in the 20th century, Performing Arts, Autographs, Illustrated Books, Western Washington State History, unusual ephemera, West Coast printers, esp. John Henry Nash. Restaurant menus and other food ephemera up to 1960. Taylor Bowie is located in Seattle, Washington.

Interviewed by Kara McLaughlin of Little Sages Books.

Ian Brabner began collecting Baumiana and Oziana at the age of seven, scouting auctions, bookshops, and fairs alongside his mother. After graduating with a dual degree in English and Anthropology, Ian established his business in 1995 and was one of the earliest booksellers to establish a strong online presence.

Ian Brabner - Rare Americana operates out of Wilmington, DE and specializes in 18th & 19th Century Americana, Americana: Broadsides, Pamphlets, Journals, Diaries, Manuscripts & Letters, and Ephemera. ABAA Member since 2005. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg on April 14, 2012 at the New York International Antiquarian Book Fair.
 

David Brass of David Brass Rare Books, Inc. in Calabasas, CA has book-selling in his blood-- his family has been in the business since 1876, when the antiquarian firm E. Joseph was first established in London.  David is a past President of the British Association of Antiquariam Booksellers (ABA), and managed his family's firm until 1993, when he moved to Los Angeles and began working for Heritage Book Shop, first as Director of Acquisitions and then as Vice President.  He later began selling under his own name.  

David Brass Rare Books, Inc. specializes in English, American and European Literature, Children's Books, Color-Plate Books, illustrated Book, Early Printed Books, Private Press Books, Fine Bindings, Original Artwork, Manuscripts, High Spot Modern First Editions, and High Spots. ABAA Member since 2005. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg at the New York International Antiquarian Book Fair.

Michael has been a member of the ABAA since 2018, and specializes in Mystery, Science-Fiction, Signed First Editions, Books About Books, Wine & Spirits, Vintage Paperbacks, General Antiquarian & Collectable. What he characterizes as an eclectic mix of good books compiled from 30 years of buying & selling. Brenner’s Books - Rare & Collectable is located in Manasquan, New Jersey.

Interviewed by Kara McLaughlin of Little Sages Books

Anne and David Bromer of Bromer Booksellers in Boston, MA began their career as antiquarian booksellers in 1966 and became members of the ABAA in 1976.  Last year David completed and published Aun Aprendo: A Comprehensive Bibliography of the Writings of Aldous Leonard Huxley.  The Bromers recently gave $2 million to the Boston Athenaeum to create the Anne C. and David J. Bromer Fund.  Their donation will also support the Bromer Curator of Rare Books and Manuscripts at the Athenaeum.  

Bromer Booksellers specializes in First Editions, Fine Printing from Aldus to Ashendene, Illustrated Books, Calligraphic Manuscripts, Bindings, Children's Books, Miniature Books, and Fore-Edge Paintings.

ABAA Member Since 1976. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg at the New York International Antiquarian Book Fair.

After graduating with a dual degree in Philosophy and History, Kevin Brown dove headfirst into the entrepreneurial field, starting a few small businesses before landing in the rare book trade via the world of art and antiques.

Geographicus Rare Antique Maps is located in Brooklyn, NY and specializes in Maps, Atlases, and Geography. ABAA Member since 2010. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg on November 11, 2017 at the Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair.

Boris Bruton opened a small bookshop in San Francisco in the early 1970’s, and since then has owned a number of shops. Plaza Books was founded in 1988 on the Plaza in Sonoma and remained there for 15 years until Boris moved the business further north to Washington.

Plaza Books operates out of Port Townsend, WA, and specializes in Mexico, Latin America, Spanish Southwest, and Spain.

ABAA Member Since 1994. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg on February 8, 2014 at the California International Antiquarian Book Fair in Pasadena.

James Bryant of Carpe Diem Fine Books entered the antiquarian book trade in 1995. James serves on the Board of Governors, chairs the By-Laws Committee, and is a member of both the Membership Committee and the Northern California Book Fair Committee.

Carpe Diem Fine Books operates out of Monterey, CA and specializes in Western Americana, Californiana, Americana, Travel & Exploration, and General Antiquarian. ABAA Member since 1998. Interviewed by Taylor Bowie on October 11, 2009 at the Seattle Antiquarian Book Fair.

Michael Buehler obtained a MA in philosophy and worked for 12 years as Director of Research and Development at a health care consultancy firm before entering the rare book trade. A map collector himself, Michael made the jump to selling in 2003.

Boston Rare Maps Inc. operates out of Southampton, MA and specializes in Antiquarian Maps, Books, Prints, and Manuscripts from New England and the Northeast. ABAA Member since 2007. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg on November 18, 2012 at the Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair.

Andrew Cahan was trained in photography, both as an exhibiting photographer and a teacher. After a few years of teaching, Andrew went back to school to earn his masters degree in photography with the intent to print photographic books. During his coursework he began working for the Ohio State laboratory press and became well versed in photo print making and photographic book production. His work with books ultimately led him to the trade, and Andrew established his business in 1981. He became an ABAA member in 1986.

Andrew Cahan: Bookseller, Ltd. operates out of Akron, OH and specializes in all aspects of Photography, including Photographic Literature from the Pre-History through Contemporary.

ABAA Member Since 1986. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg on April 14, 2012 at the New York International Antiquarian Book Fair.

David and Denise Carlson met on a cruise. It was their mutual interest in auctions that brought them into the rare books business: when one lot of books they bought immediately resulted in interest and offers well above their purchase price D & D Galleries was born. D & D Galleries operates out of Somerville, NJ and specializes in Bindings, American & English Literature, Lewis Carroll, Association Copies, and Charles Dickens. ABAA Member since 1989. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg on April 5, 2014 at the New York International Antiquarian Book Fair.
 

Larisa Cassell was born in Kansas City, Missouri in 1952. Along with her husband and partner, Chris, Larisa is the owner of Green Gate Farm Antiquarian Books in Richmond, Missouri. During her recent tenure as President of the Missouri Center for the Book, an affiliate of the Library of Congress, Larisa was the leading force behind the establishment of a literary prize in the name of her friend and mentor in the antiquarian book trade, ABAA emeritus member, Ardis L. Glenn. ABAA Member since 2002. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg on February 14, 2016 at the California International Antiquarian Book Fair in Pasadena.

Brian Cassidy, Bookseller of Silver Spring, MD began his bookselling career working part-time for an independent bookshop while earning an MFA in Poetry at the University of Iowa Writers Workshop. He has taught English and literature at both the undergraduate and secondary levels. Brian continued to teach in addition to selling books until 2004, when he established Brian Cassidy, Bookseller. He became an ABAA member in 2008 and has served on the Planning an Public Relations Committees.

Brian Cassidy, Bookseller deals in "intrinsically interesting, unusual, or important books in all fields."

ABAA Member Since 2008. Interviewed by Michael Ginsberg on April 14, 2012 at the New York International Antiquarian Book Fair.

ABAA Member Patrick Cather reminisces on his life in the rare book trade.

ABAA Member from 1976. Emeritus Member from 2004 until his death in 2018. Interviewed by Taylor Bowie on October 14, 2012 at the Seattle Antiquarian Book Fair.