ABAA's Annual Meeting Honors Past Presidents

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ABN E WSLETTEA AR VOLUME SEVENTEEN, NUMBER 3 ANTIQUARIAN BOOKSELLERS' ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA SUMMER 2006

INSIDE: ABAA & Alibris offer Scholarships ...... PAGE 7 Bromsen ABAA's Annual Meeting Honors Bequeaths Past Presidents $4 Million to The following address was given by John Grolier Club has been the home to many Crichton at the Annual Meeting and ABAA functions, including its very first Brown Library Dinner at the Grolier Club on April 22, meeting in February 1949. At each place 2006. you will find a printed keepsake for the The distinguished Boston collector and Good evening and welcome to the 56th occasion which I had prepared as a gift antiquarian bookdealer, Maury A. Brom- annual meeting of the Antiquarian Book- from me, your soon-to-be recent-past sen, who died on October 11, 2005, has sellersʼ Association of America, which is president. On it is a quotation from the bequeathed $4 million to the John Carter being held this year in honor of the past first president of the Association, Lau- Brown Library for the support of pro- presidents of the Association, many of rence Gomme. [Laurence Gomme was grams in Latin American studies. whom are present. born in 1882 in London, and he began The gift will make possible the creation I thank you for attending; we thank his long, distinguished career in the book at the Library of the new position of Cu- our honored guests for being here; and trade at the age of 15 when his father rator of Latin American Books and will we once again thank the Grolier Club for apprenticed him to the firm of Truslate & also endow an annual Maury A. Bromsen providing us with this fine venue. The Hanson.] He moved to Canada in 1906 lecture; a research fellowship; an annual concert to be named after Mr. Bromsenʼs continued on page 4 sister, Freda Bromsen Bolster; and acquisitions, cataloguing, and conservation. In addition to the gift of endowment funds, Mr. Bromsen has also left to the John Carter Brown Library thousands of valuable books and manuscripts. Some of this legacy will be sold at auction because it falls outside of the Libraryʼs defined fields for acquisitions. Other works will be retained by the Library and added to its holdings. According to the Library Director, Nor- man Fiering, the Bromsen bequest is the largest single donation made to the John Carter Brown Library since 1901. Mr. Bromsenʼs particular passion as a collector was material relating to colonial Spanish America, from the time of Columbus to that of the nineteenth-cen- The ABAA's Annual Dinner at the Grolier Club honored past presidents of the tury “Liberator,” Simón Bolívar, who led Association. Pictured, back row from left: Rob Rulon-Miller, Mike Ginsberg, John the independence movement in northern Crichton, Priscilla Juvelis, Tom Congalton, Ken Lopez. Front row: Ed Glaser, Peter Howard, Lou Weinstein, Barney Rosenthal, Bob Fleck. continued on page 4 Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair

ILAB Book Fairs November 17-19, 2006

2006

September 15-17 New York, NY (ILAB) Javits Center

November 3 & 4 London, UK (ABA) Old Chelsea Town Hall

November 17-19 Boston, MA (ILAB) Hynes Convention Center The 2006 Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair, one of the oldest and most respected antiquarian book shows in the country, 2007 celebrates thirty years, from November 17-19, 2006 at Boston’s Hynes Convention Center. Rare booksellers and dealers will gath- January 26-28 er to exhibit and sell rare, collectible, and antiquarian books, mod- Stuttgart, Germany (VDA) ern first editions, manuscripts, autographs, maps, and a plethora Haus des Württemergischen of other literary ephemera. Dealers of fine and decorative prints will feature fine prints and drawings. Kunstverein Bibliophiles, memorabilia and ephemera enthusiasts, sports fans, February 16-18 beginning collectors and aficionados alike, will delight in the vast San Francisco, CA (ILAB) selection of the written word in all its intriguing forms and facets. Concourse Exhibition Center Whether a browser, buyer, or poker, there will be something wonderful for every taste and budget. The International Antiquarian Book Fair is the ideal marketplace for that one-of-a-kind holiday March 23 & 24 gift. Edinburgh, Scotland (ABA) The Ballroom, Assembly Rooms Hours Friday 5pm-9pm April 19-22 Saturday noon-7pm New York, NY (ILAB) Sunday noon-5pm Park Avenue Armory Tickets Friday: $15 (good for three days) Saturday, Sunday: $8 each day

For a calendar including non-ILAB book For more info, visit bostonbookfair.com or call (617) 266-6540. fairs, visit www.abaa.org

2 Annals of Beatlemania: The New Norman Conquest by Victoria Dailey chitecturally, had built itself a swell high polo team was pretty good too. I never The following is the first installment in a school in a fancy French style. Perched cared for any of the sports because I was series of articles about her life. atop rolling hillocks of grass, the school in the intellectual group, the avant-garde Nine hundred years after the Norman boasted a gymnasium with a basketball of Beverly Hills, and we hated what we Conquest, I graduated from high school. court, the floor of which could be opened perceived as trivial pursuits. I was part of As amazing as it seems, it took only 900 to reveal a full-size swimming pool the generation that would soon become years to get from the Battle of Hastings below. Thus with the flip of a lever, the known as hippies, and we thoroughly to the Beverly Hills High School Class gymnasium could become a natatorium. despised examples of the mass culture of 1966. And ironically enough, our high Very French. We also had four tennis we found so idiotic. I hated fraternities, school was known by the moniker of courts, and golf lessons were available sororities (later, in college, during the war “The Normans.” This was because the at the small course across the street from in Viet Nam, I said my sorority was Me- school was built in the Norman style of the school. There was a parking lot for kong Delta), sports, dating as it was then architecture (although for a time I thought the exclusive use of the students, most of practiced, what were then called “civics” we were called “Normans” because we whom had automobiles, many of which classes, school government, rules about were so nerdy and a typical nerd name were impressively expensive: a smat- dress or hair, the SAT tests–all these were was Norman). Other schools had animal, tering of Corvettes, a few T-Birds, one manifestations of a society I resented and fierce sounding names: Lions, Tigers, Morgan, and one Lotus, plus there were felt would be better swept aside in the Bears, Sultans, but we were lowly Nor- several woodies, numbers of Volkswa- coming age of brotherhood, equality and mans. And after 900 years, hardly anyone gens, and after 1965, some Mustangs. intelligence. Although Beverly High did knew what Norman meant, especially We Normans always had the worst poorly in sports, in academics it ex- in Beverly Hills, where cultural ante- football team in the league. Hardly celled, and was one of the highest ranked cedents ran more to the eastern parts of anyone in the school cared about foot- schools in the country. I could speak Europe than to France, moi included. It ball, but we were obliged to have a team French, was studying Latin, literature, just seemed funny to be named after an and play in what were called intramural psychology and European films. I was architectural style. I didnʼt know of any tournaments. The football players were headed for big thoughts. The restricted Neo-Classicals, Greek Revivals or Queen mainly recruited from the non-Jewish stu- outlook of some of my peers and their Annes, but there we were, the Normans dents, and as there were so few of them, parents unnerved me, made me angry and of Beverly Hills High School. (Lately, I our team never had much of a chance kept me feeling frustrated. The fifties and have wondered: what if we were named against such formidable opponents as the sixties were about to collide. for another French province, Brittany for Lawndale, a school near the airport, or For me, the actual collision occurred example, would our team have been the Dorsey, a school in the central part of the first time I heard the Beatles. It was Brittany Spears?) Los Angeles. But we did have the best the summer of 1963, and I was mak- Beverly Hills, taking itself seriously ar- tennis team in the state, and our water continued on page 11 Samuel Johnson Tercentenary Symposium set for Harvard 2009 The year 2009 marks the 300th anni- Considered one of the worldʼs most Houghton Library, the Hyde Collection is versary of the birth of Samuel Johnson. important collections of eighteenth-cen- also rich in materials that document the To commemorate the event, Harvard tury literature, the Hyde Collection was lives of Johnsonʼs friends and contem- Universityʼs Houghton Library will host assembled over a 60-year period. With poraries, such as James Boswell, Hester an international symposium to celebrate Johnson at its center, it encompasses Thrale Piozzi, Tobias Smollett, Sir Joshua Johnsonʼs manifold contributions to letters, manuscripts, first editions, and Reynolds, and David Garrick. intellectual and creative cultures. The works of art relating to Johnson and his Details will be announced over the next symposium, which will be held Thursday, circle. The collection includes half of six months, so please check the website August 27, through Saturday, August 29, Johnsonʼs surviving letters and several periodically. 2009, will coincide with the opening of a drafts of his Plan for a Dictionary and major exhibition featuring rare books and is comprehensive in its coverage of http://hcl.harvard.edu/libraries/houghton/ manuscripts from the Mary & Donald Johnsonʼs published works. A bequest of conference_johnson.html ■ Hyde Collection of Dr. Samuel Johnson. Mary, Viscountess Eccles (1912-2003), to 3 organized a centennial celebration in awarded Brown Universityʼs Presidentʼs Bromsen Washington, D. C., in 1952, sponsored Medal. continued from front page by the Library of Congress and the The John Carter Brown Library is an Pan-American Union. Mr. Bromsen later independently funded and administered South America. The collecting interests edited a collection of essays, José Toribio institution for advanced research in of Mr. Bromsen and that of the John Medina, Humanist of the Americas: history and the humanities, founded in Carter Brown Library closely overlapped, An Appraisal (1960), derived from the 1846 and located at Brown University and in 2000 Mr. Bromsen donated his conference. since 1901. The Library holds one of Simón Bolívar collection to the Library. Mr. Bromsenʼs achievements as a the worldʼs leading collections of books, The collection is housed in the Maury A. bibliographical scholar, historian, and maps, and manuscripts relating to the Bromsen–Simón Bolívar Room of the collector brought him numerous honors. colonial period of the Americas, North Library. In 1952 the government of Chile made and South, from 1492 to ca. 1825. The Mr. Bromsenʼs knowledge of early him a Knight Commander in the Orden Library offers fellowships, sponsors lec- printing in Spanish America, especially al Mérito “Bernardo Higgins,” and in tures and conferences, regularly mounts in Peru, Chile, Venezuela, and Cuba, 1985 the Republic of Venezuela inducted exhibitions for the public, and publishes was encyclopedic. He knew intimately Mr. Bromsen into the Orden Francisco de catalogues, bibliographies, facsimi- the work of the great bibliographers of Miranda, First Class. In 1987, North- les, and other works that interpret the early Spanish American printing, such eastern University in Boston awarded Libraryʼs holdings. For further informa- as the Chilean José Toribio Medina, in Mr. Bromsen an honorary Doctorate of tion, visit www.JCBL.org. ■ recognition of whose birth Mr. Bromsen Humane Letters, and in 2003 he was

our professional staff in New York with with Liane and Susan. I provided direc- Crichton the addition of Susan Benne, again a tion and they did the work. Thank you move which benefits all our members and one and all. You have done a great job. continued from front page helps to make us a better, more profes- I began the meeting by talking briefly sional organization. These changes began about Laurence Gomme, our first presi- and then to the United States, where he with my immediate predecessor, Ken dent. It has been my honor to serve as the worked until late into his life in the book- Lopez, who was instrumental in seeing Associationʼs 28th president, and in the trade, principally as head of the rare book them accomplished despite a barrage of process of slowly ascending the ladder, department at Brentanos here in New criticism from the membership. We were, and taking over the top position, Iʼve York City. As a founding member of the in fact, not completely certain all these gained an awful lot of respect for my 27 Association and its first president–a term changes would accomplish our desired predecessors – all of whom put in count- which he served for almost four years– goals. We rocked the boat a little and took less hours contributing to the health and Laurence Gomme was instrumental in some risks, and I now feel very confident well-being of the ABAA. Once you have shaping the ABAA into the professional the results have justified the difficult and experienced the level of commitment organization it is today. contentious choices we made, and Ken required for a job like this, you can only Enjoy your dinner, and we will be back deserves a great deal of the credit for that respect those who took on the responsi- with you around desert time when we initiative. bility and obligations that came with it. will have a painlessly brief annual meet- In the past two years Iʼve attempted to It is a pretty impressive group. I will ing, followed by a few comments by me set a professional tone with some mod- attempt to recognize them and some–only about the past presidents. We will then est goals for the association, and I feel a few–of their many accomplishments: hand over the reins to the new president. satisfied these goals have been fulfilled. Laurence Gomme was followed by I am not here this evening going to give Richard Wormser. Richard Wormser Presidentʼs Report you a laundry list of things for which I oversaw the founding of the Benevolent I am pleased - and relieved - to report think I deserve credit. The entire credit Fund. that the Association appears to be on for whatever weʼve accomplished during Frances Hamill was the third president very sound footing. Weʼve completed my tenure as president goes to our staff in and the first of four strong women presi- in the past two years a reorganization New York, Susan Benne and Liane Wade, dents weʼve had. of the financial structure of the ABAA, and to a strong and supportive Board of She was followed by Geoffrey Steele, with clear financial reporting to go with Governors and its officers. A president of Michael Papantonio, George Goodspeed, it. This was not without controversy or an organization like the ABAA, as any of and Walter Schatzki. uncertainty or pain, but thus far it has its past presidents will tell you, is only as Then Harold Graves and David Magee, proved successful, a success which ben- good as his supporting cast. I have been and that brings us to the 10th president efits of all the membership. As a result of most fortunate in working with a strong reorganization, we were able to expand and supportive Board of Governors and continued on next page 4 dential, wise and motherly all at the same served us admirably in his understated, Crichton time. reserved but firm manner. It was during continued from previous page Louis Weinstein followed Elizabeth Muirʼs tenure that the ABAA undertook Woodburn. Lou, our first president from the significant rewriting of its Code of of the ABAA, and we are fortunate and Southern California, was in the unenvi- Ethics. honored to have him with us this evening, able position of being the first ABAA Muir was followed by Peter Howard. the dean of our past presidents, Bernard president to be sued as president–and I During Peterʼs term the Association dealt Rosenthal. Barney is the model for the hope the last–knock on wood, David– with two contentious issues: the selling of scholarly antiquarian bookseller with a when he and the entire Board of Gov- unpublished screenplays–a matter which generous spirit. ernors were sued by W. Graham Arader precipitated the resignation from the As- [As I go through this list, keep in mind who had been expelled from the Associa- sociation–since reinstated–of Larry Mc- that these early presidents by and large tion. Under Louʼs leadership, and with Murtry–and the selling of pirated texts. did an awful lot of the associationʼs work unanimous support from the Board of Peter also shares a distinction with War- by themselves . . . ] Governors and the help of counsel Larry ren Howell as a former president: their Barney was followed by William Sal- Fox, the ABAA stood up to the challenge, firms are the only ones to have spawned loch, then came the much beloved and re- and it emerged immeasurably stronger other presidents of the association. David spected Leona Rostenberg, Robert Barry, because of that. Magee began his career in the book trade Jr. (who could not be here this evening), Ed Glaser and Michael Ginsberg with John Howell Books, and I began my the legendary Warren Howell, Lau- came in tandem after Lou, and in the career in the book trade with Serendipity rence Witten, and then the colorful and wake of the Arader lawsuit, they had Books. Thank you, Peter. controversial John Jenkins. For all his relatively peaceful terms, and at the Rob Rulon-Miller has worked so tire- alleged foibles, Johnny Jenkins put his end of Michaelʼs term the ABAA hired lessly for such a long time on behalf of heart into the ABAA and, among other Liane Wade. No other former presidents the ABAA that it is hard to know where things, brought us the Professional Rare –indeed no other two members of our to begin. Four years ago he was called Bookseller Quarterly and the first of our association–have done as much for the upon to return as treasurer, and he did systems to track stolen books and alert education of antiquarian booksellers as it without hesitating. He has served as the book world about book thieves–both Ed and Michael have done during their editor of the quarterly Newsletter from its of which were noble efforts. long tenures with the Denver and Colo- inception 16 years ago until the last issue. Elizabeth Woodburn succeeded Johnny rado Springs bookselling seminars. If ever we have an award for contribu- Jenkins, and was the president when I Muir Dawson was unexpectedly called tions to the Association, Rob will be the first became a member. She was gracious upon in 1990 to serve as president of first to get it, and after that we should call and welcoming to the young upstart and the ABAA at a time when he was surely it the Rob Rulon-Miller Award. set a wonderful example with a kind of thinking more about semi-retirement, And Bob Fleck would be a close enlightened attitude. She seemed presi- but the Association needed him, and he second to Rob. Bob has worked on and with the Board of Governors for over 20 years in every conceivable position, and he ushered the ABAA into the world of the Internet. He is now serving his fourth year as president of ILAB. Priscilla Juvelis, the fourth in the quartet of our strong women presidents, walked us through the early years of the database issues, and it was a mine field which she and her successor, Tom Con- galton, successfully navigated. The result has been a success where a lot of costly mistakes could have been made. Tom was also known for his expeditious, no-non- sense board meetings, but that record I have soundly eclipsed. And while Ken Lopez, my immediate predecessor, was not known for his expeditious board meetings, he got some very John Ballinger and David Lesser strike a pose, circa 1994. continued on next page 5 when others might have said, let the next and I propose we toast to them. Crichton president do it. It is now time to pass on the reins to The common denominator amongst the incoming officers, David Lilburne, continued from previous page this disparate, interesting group of 27 in- President, Stuart Bennett, Vice President, important things done which will have dividuals is that they not only cared about Tom Goldwasser, Treasurer, and Sarah lasting, positive impact on the ABAA their professional Association, but they Baldwin, Secretary. I am confident the – including the financial reorganization were also willing to put aside ego, and Association will be in as capable hands I mentioned earlier and the expansion take on a job which is short on glory and in the foreseeable future as it has been in of our staff in New York. These were long on work and does more for others the past. daunting tasks, and Ken handled them than for self, and for that they deserve our David, she is all yours. ■ single-mindedly, and saw them through continued recognition and appreciation,

Undocumented Hemingway Issue Point by Dan Gregory from almost the start of his career to the out giving specifics, Allen Ahearn makes You would think the army of collectors, present, eight decades later. A measure of note of this in his Author Price Guide for dealers, librarians, scholars and crit- his early popularity was reflected in the Hemingway, citing a 1998 catalog from ics who have poured over the works of 1931 publication of Louis Henry Cohnʼs fellow ABAA member Robert Dagg. Ernest Hemingway since he first became A Bibliography of the Works of Ernest The difference between the two jackets popular in the early 1920s would have Hemingway. Audre Hanneman followed is found on the rear panel, where the left no stone unturned in noting the this in 1967 with her Comprehensive green band from the front and the spine most obscure minutiae in his published Bibliography and its 1975 supplement. is either thick or thin, and where the works. Hemingway is possibly unique And yet it has come to our attention that, content and typography of the text vary. among 20th Century American authors unbeknownst to most collectors and deal- At first glance the thick band variant, for having been both collected, and by ers, there are two variants to the jacket of which has an additional two paragraphs various definitions popular, continuously his 1935 title Green Hills of Africa. With- continued on page 9

The two variants of Hemingway's Green Hills of Africa. Left: First issue. Right: Second issue.

6 Elisabeth Woodburn Fund Offers Scholarships to Colorado Rare Book Seminar

The Trustees of the Elisabeth Woodburn Fund are pleased to announce the ABAA is sponsoring five scholarships for the 2006 Antiquarian Book Market Seminar. All scholarships will be administered by the Trustees of the ABAA Benevolent Fund. Competition for these awards of $1,000 each is open to all seminar applicants. To apply for a scholarship applicants should:

1. Write a ONE PAGE letter (500 words or less) stressing desire and need. Letters of support are welcome, but not required.

2. Submit materials to ABAA, 20 West 44th St. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, fax to: (212) 944-8293, or email to Susan Benne, [email protected]. Email is preferred.

3. Entries must be postmarked no later than July 8th, 2006.

Successful candidates will be notified by phone or fax and by mail. The awards will be presented at the Seminar registration.

For more information on the Seminar, please visit www.bookseminars.com.

Alibris Offers Scholarship to Colorado Rare Book Seminar

Alibris is committed to having a premiere network of sellers. In support of this mission, weʼre proud to offer the inaugural Weatherford Scholarship for this yearʼs Colorado Antiquarian Book Market Seminar, http://www.bookseminars.com/.

The Weatherford Scholarship, named after Alibris founder and former Colorado Antiquarian Book Market Seminar speaker Dick Weatherford, is an award worth more than $2,000 for one deserving seller. The scholarship award covers the $1,095 registration fee and provides another $1,000 for travel, lodging and other expenses.

Competition for the Weatherford Scholarship is open to all active Alibris sellers with at least a four star rating. To apply please submit an application under the following guidelines:

Write a one-page letter (1,000 words or less) describing why you wish to attend and should be awarded the scholarship. Include your 8 character Seller ID on your application. Email your application (preferred) to [email protected] or send it to Alibris, 1250 45th Street, Suite 100, Emeryville, CA 94608

All entries must be postmarked no later than July 7, 2006.

Applications will be reviewed and winner selected by a committee including Dick Weatherford, Jay Patton and A.J. Kohn. The scholarship winner will be notified by phone and/or email on July 14 and be recognized at the Seminar. Whether you apply for the Weatherford Scholarship or not, Alibris encourages you to consider this and other continuing education and professional development opportunities.

7 ABAA Cancels ILAB Congress in Philadelphia by Susan Benne the Congress in order to register for the dation was made to the Executive Com- The ABAA greatly regrets having to can- book fair held in conjunction. mittee who voted unanimously to cancel cel the ILAB Congress in Philadelphia, Not wanting to give up, David Lil- the Congress. Moving forward with the which so many of our members worked burne, Bruce McKittrick, Susan Benne Congress would cause the ABAA to lose hard to coordinate and which has been a and Tom Congalton called the entire close to $100,000, assuming all of the tradition for many years. The Committee ABAA membership via telephone. Sev- verbal commitments subsequently regis- appreciates this opportunity to explain the eral committee members reached out to tered and 93 people attended. The ABAA process that led us to conclude that the their international colleagues and friends. will still lose money for the printing and Congress was not viable. We budgeted A week later, we had 63 confirmed mailing of the brochure and other ancil- the event for 300 attendees, contracting registrants and about 30 verbal commit- lary costs. for venues including the Union League, ments. Those members who explained The Congress Committee has hope for Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, why they would not attend gave a variety the success future Congresses. We will and the Kimmel Center for the Perform- of reasons: the program was staid, busi- share our thought processes and what we ing Arts. After two separate mailings to nesses were not able to be left for a week have learned with other Congress com- all ILAB Members, announcements via or two, cost was too high, price of travel mittees. email and international newsletters, and too great, the Internet makes Congresses This was a tough decision that was speaking to our colleagues in person at irrelevant, etc. fraught with debate. It took several days the L.A. and New York Book Fairs, we The committee reconvened and debat- to conclude. We have a responsibility, had only 58 registrants for the Congress, ed cutting parts of the program such as a however, to protect the assets of our and 40 more who were “maybes”. The meal and the Concert, but was concerned membership and it would be difficult committee met and determined that with that it would not be considerate to those to approve the creation of such a great the high fixed costs of the Congress, who had already registered. We also deficit for an event attended by less than mainly transportation and venues, and a pondered accepting private donations 10% of the ABAA membership and less much lower number of participants, the from our members to offset the cost, but than 5% of the ILAB membership. We ABAA would lose more than $100,000. ultimately, this was deemed inappropri- are very sorry that we were not able to At this time, a decision was made to ate. At this time, the committee voted to make the event more of a success. Thank revoke the rule that one must register for cancel the Congress and the recommen- you all for your support. ■ Heldfond Gallery Launches Polling Site by Erik Heldfond that appears on the site. eters are perfectly fine. You may use the Heldfond Book Gallery takes pleasure in Topics for the polls are derived from “send topic suggestions” button on the announcing that we have established a the suggestions received from members. site to forward your requests. Polling Site for the exclusive use of the Submitters names will not be revealed. We were not asked by any ABAA com- ABAA membership. We believe this site We have posted the first topic by way of mittee or officer to create and run this may be of some use in the discussion and introduction. However, in the future, top- site. We have no official ABAA sanction, analysis of issues that affect our organiza- ics received from the membership shall and are not receiving compensation from tion and our trade. In addition, depend- take priority. A link for sending sugges- anyone. ing upon the topic at hand, it may also tions appears on the Poll Site. We encour- We have had to delicately weigh the provide some light relief in these rather age the membership to submit their poll need for privacy against the necessity for stressful times. The web site is: requests at anytime and we will attempt credible results from the polls. Thatʼs a to post them in a timely manner. There is polite way of saying we need to be sure http://www.heldfond.com/pollpage.htm no restriction on topics, although we will members are able to vote only once in not post Polls which violate the by-laws any given poll. We devised several con- Polls are open for voting 48 hours from of our organization. Topics may be trade figurations, including passwords, blind first announcement of Poll on the Discuss related or not. They may be serious, light, registrations, nickname registrations, etc., List. A notice of the closing time appears sublime or ridiculous, itʼs up to you. We but none of these options served to keep on the poll site. Results shall be posted on wish to serve...not to moderate. Also, your identity shielded from the pollsters. the chat line within 24 hours of closing please note that topics need not require We have, however, come up with a work- and results from previous polls may be simple yes or no responses. Multiple able compromise. When a member votes viewed by clicking the “Archives” button choice answers according to your param- continued on next page 8 Provider. Because we donʼt know your gateway to it private. 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Fine Books & Collections Sponsors Contest by Scott Brown contest was launched (University of Il- The awards ceremony will be held at the The first-ever Collegiate Book-Collect- linois Urbana-Champagne), one restarted Grolier Club on September 16. ing Championship, sponsored by Fine (Johns Hopkins), and two are planned for In addition to the expected collections Books & Collections magazine, the next year. In addition (and in part because of science fiction and graphic novels (one Grolier Club, Biblio.com, PBA Galleries, of the Grolier Clubʼs participation in our quite good, with examples of wood- and Heritage Book Shop, is off to a great contest), a donor endowed the contest at cut and collage novels by Goya, Ward, start. Michigan State University. Thanks to our and Ernst), we had two collections of Our entry deadline was June 1 and sponsors for making that happen. Japanese texts, plus two of Russian and weʼve received 41 of 46 possible entries. In mid-June, our panel of judges one each of Czech, German, and Scottish To be eligible, a student needed to win [George Ong, an attorney, collector of books. Two collections focused on India, the top prize in his or her universityʼs bibliographies, and member of the Gro- two on wars, one on sanitariums, and one book-collecting contest. When we started lier Club; Joel Silver, curator of books at on self-injury and mutilation in contem- this championship a year ago, I was the Lilly Library at Indiana University; porary fiction. All in all, a pretty diverse expecting maybe 20 entries. The level of and Ben Weinstein, co-owner of Heri- and thoughtful set of collections. enthusiasm for the championship shows tage Book Shop in Los Angeles, and a More information about the champion- that book-collecting is alive and well member of the ABAA] will begin the ship is on our web site: at the college level. This year, one new process of selecting the top three winners. http://www.finebooksmagazine.com/ ■

or may not indicate a worn printing plate. salesmanʼs dummy issue. Pending further Gregory A more thorough examination of both information, we consider thick band cop- continued from page 6 variants is warranted, as is comparison ies first issue jackets and thin band copies of text, might seem likely to be later on of these jackets to that found on the rare second issue jackets. ■ the assumption that Scribners added the text. But examples of this variant we have seen were priced ($2.75, as called for by Hanneman), while examples of the thin band variant we have seen have all been price-clipped. Therefore we believe the thick band with more text is actually the first issue jacket, and that Scribners was likely displeased with the small type size used and the awkward manner in which the graphic design cuts through the second paragraph of text. In this scenario, they redesigned the rear panel for later printings, shrinking the band and excising a third of the text, allowing a much larger type to be used. It should also be noted that on the thin band variant the black lines of Edward Shentonʼs spine illustration are heavier Liane Thomas Wade and Peter Howard take in the sun and catch up on than on the thick band variant – this may the news at John Hellebrand's house, circa 1994. 9 serve the college for fifty years: "Showy Recent Books by Members instruments...are not wanted, but a good working apparatus, sufficient for mak- Study, Measure, Experiment – Stories bit too concise and veil the importance of ing valuable observations and illustrating of Scientific Instruments at Dartmouth the item). This is an accomplishment in the important principles of science." To College. By David Pantalony, Richard itself when one considers that there are this end he sought to triple expenditures: Kremer, Francis Manasek. University three authors at work here, not one. "These sums, we are aware, appear large; Press of New England, 2005, pp. 271, They are at their best in establishing ...we can hardly maintain our position hardcover; ISBN 096-4-900092 $65. the history of the instruments. The lucid as a literary institution, without some expositions of what, how, and why is extraordinary enlargement of our means The book under review is a delight. It accompanied by arcane revelations and & instruments." Youngʼs use of the word is the biography of selected scientific scientific expositions that reveal the "literary" in this context is central to the instruments and demonstration apparatus authorsʼ understanding and love of their purpose of this informative and fascinat- used and retained in the scientific facul- endeavor. The last is important because ing book. The comment returns the at- ties at Dartmouth College. As such the it is difficult to make the subject live and tentive reader to a time when the natural book is a wonderful assemblage of anec- the authors accomplish this with apparent history collections were in the science dotal information, e.g., the powder used ease. It is a pleasure to read the instru- hall and housed with the faculty of phi- to reveal the intricate Chladni acoustic ment explanations written by a group losophy, when doing and learning science patterns of vibrating plates is actually who clearly have a deep knowledge of were one. The Pickering "student lab" moss spores (L. calavatum) – who knew! the science and devices and express it in movement of the 1890s is the remain- Readers of this kind of book are self such a straight-forward manner. There is der of this ideal. To illustrate this theme selecting. They are: a) over 50; b) "gear no condescension to the reader. the authors reproduce a photograph of – heads"; c) at some time carried a slide The historical essays that accompany a set-up in the Wilder Laboratory for a rule in college. For those not qualifying the instrument descriptions present a light pressure experiment that is almost under one of these categories the book chronology of the acquisitions of instru- poignant. will be a pleasure and a benefit thanks ments by Dartmouth and this serves One may quibble with certain points to the authorsʼ light touch and clear as the organizing theme. It might just but it would amount to insignificant criti- exposition of the working and use of the as well have been the biographies of cism. selected instruments. It is rare that such Ira and Charles Young. This father and The book is handsomely produced, clarity is achieved in science texts that son phenomenon were the go–getting and the illustrations are well chosen and seek to explain such a variety of instru- scientific mentors of the college for most generous. ments. There is no snobbery here. The of the 19th century. What remains of Finally, the book is careful of the topic rare Kennard surveyorʼs quadrant is the historically significant devices and and does not overreach. It puts the reader presented along with the Variflux magnet instruments (alas only 10% of the instru- in mind of what a great playground a with its “blue gray hammertone” finish. ments purchased by them remain) is their good lab is, and what fun it may have Explanations are concise and appropriate legacy. The force of their presence cannot been to work, on occasion, in the Wilder to the device (in some instances, e.g., the be overcome in this history. In the 1840s machine shop. ■ Rowland diffraction grating, they are a Ira Young sought instruments that would News in Brief Member Profile: David Bergman

Former Member Daniel De Simone, by Susan Benne a bargain, was a bit of a stretch for the curator at the Library of Congress, As a new feature of the Newsletter, we recent grad. He saved up and purchased it has won the 2006 Katherine Kyes and will profile a member or two each issue. from the shop, B & J Books, befriending Daniel J. Leab American Book Prices Submissions are encouraged. the owner. Bitten by the bug, Bergman Current Exhibition Award given by the David Bergman is one of our new- went to work for the store. Twenty-odd ALA. This prestigious award recognizes est members, having been accepted at years later, heʼs still selling. “outstanding exhibition catalogs issued the November 2005 Board Meeting. He Bergman is the only member to spe- by American and Canadian institutions.” lives and works on the Upper West Side cialize in Paleontology. As he explained The award winning volume, A Heavenly of Manhattan. Bergman first was drawn to me recently, he “never outgrew a love Craft: The Woodcut in Early Printed into the world of antiquarian books when for dinosaurs.” Bergman also deals in Books, presents descriptions of rare he spotted Elliot Couesʼ copy of The books on Natural History, Evolution, works and tells the story of their acquisi- Journals of Lewis and Clark at a shop in Graphic and Decorative Arts, as well as tion by Lessing J. Rosenwald. ■ Queens. The price was $75, and though general antiquarian. ■

10 the Fab Four. There was a record store on music would propel us into new lives, Dailey the southeast corner of La Cienega and lives that no one had yet dared to live. continued from page 3 Wilshire and we loitered there, wait- Suddenly, we were free to drive, to listen, ing for the delivery of any new Beatles to be happy on our own terms, not on the ing my bed while listening to the radio. single. Life was blissful, and was made terms dictated to us by a society we found A song came on and I was stunned. I even more so when I got my driverʼs outmoded. With John, Paul, George and stopped straightening the sheets and sat license, and a VW bug, in January 1964. Ringo, we would change everything, and down. I couldnʼt believe my ears. It was We could now go to the record store on even though we were nerdy Normans, the synthesis in sound of all my thoughts our own, not our momsʼ time. News ar- we were now Beatlemaniacs, and part of and feelings. It was sophisticated and rived that a whole album was about to be something really big. And so, in Beverly simple, hip and happening. It was “She issued, and we became delirious. When Hills, two girls joined the new battle, Loves You.” At that moment, a Beatle- “Meet the Beatles” was safely, finally, which was nothing less than the conquest maniac was born, and from then on, I in our hands, we must have played it of the past, the defeat of the present, and couldnʼt get enough of the Beatles. I hundreds of times. We memorized every the reorganization of the future...a future shared this passion with my best girl- note, every inflection, studied every nu- in which she loves you, he loves you, friend, Barbara Goren, and we spent ance. The Beatles gave us a whole new and all you need is love. The Beatles had endless summer days rhapsodizing about vocabulary, a whole new beat. Their conquered the Normans. ■

the spring one year; Cal was one of the wife, Michal. Lewis was an emeritus In Memoriam first members of ARLIS/NA because she member of the International Fine Print always believed in what I was doing, Dealers Association and a member of L. Clarice Davis independent and aggressive as I was. She the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association Los Angeles, CA supported me through all the ups and the of America from the 1960s through the This January, I lost a friend and so did downs of ARLIS in its first years, and 1980s. He began his career at the Childs you. L. Clarice Davis, librarian extraor- I hear her deep voice even now--which Gallery in Boston and opened his own dinaire and book dealer even higher turned into a rasp, a scratch, and then gallery in San Francisco on Sutter Street in standards, passed away after a long silence, because of so much radiation. at the age of 28. It was at this gallery, struggle with cancer. She was a smoker–- She stood out and she stood up for that director James Ivory discovered the please, please do everything you can to independent bookstores. For careful and Indian miniature paintings that led him to stop smoking. She couldnʼt until it was meticulous expertise in describing anti- produce the documentary The Sword and too late. But she was a friend to so many quarian books and used books, she taught the Flute. of us. She was an assistant to Jean Moore me high standards and scruples. At the time he opened his gallery, few in the UCLA Art Library when she and I Raise a glass to Cal–and perhaps we Americans were collecting Japanese first met 50 years ago. She then became shall honor her at UCLA with some kind prints and he helped give them a market the Art Librarian at that institution, and of gesture that will memorialize her pres- in the collector's eye. His wife became his then at the Los Angeles County Museum ence in our lives. part-time business partner, and his daugh- of Art became director of the library. She This has been adapted, with permission, ter Jan subsequently joined the business was a very, very good librarian and art from an obituary by Judith A. Hoffberg. and now runs R.E. Lewis & Daughter, by historian and had been a member of the Ms. Hoffberg is the Founding Executive appointment, in Marin County. Lewis, ABAA for thirty years. Secretary of ARLIS/NA, an organization his wife, and Suzanne Boorsch collabo- And then she decided to open up a fostering excellence in art and design rated on a catalogue raisonée of the prints bookstore–and it was a great art book- librarianship and image management. ■ of 16th century engraver Giorgio Ghisi. store in Westwood Village, the home of He was scholarly and largely self-taught UCLA and other wonderful people too. R.E. Lewis in the field of prints. The openings, the parties, the launchings, Marin, CA Lewis is remembered for his erudition, and the art gallery promoted what she Former Member Raymond E. Lewis integrity, and presence. He made friends believed in–the best art books, the best passed away in April 2005. Mr. Lewis from California to Europe. The Achen- art, and the best parties. had galleries in the San Francisco area bach Foundation for the Graphic Arts at And then she closed the shop and and dealt in fine prints from Schongauer the Legion of Honor in San Francisco worked out of her beautiful home which to Picasso, and some lesser-known artists, hosted a show in his memory from De- seemed to accommodate a book collec- as well as in old Japanese woodblock cember 2005 to February 2006. Lewis tion beyond imagination, as well as many prints and Indian miniature paintings. is survived by his wife Michal, of nearly cats, dogs, and a few people. It was in Born in Mt. Vernon, New York, he 60 years, his daughters Karen, Cassandra, San Fernando Valley. studied at U.C. Berkeley, and fell in and Jan, as well as several grandchildren. She took me out to see the poppies in love with the Bay area landscape and his ■ Susan Benne 11 New Members The ABAA Newsletter is pleased to Dan Dwyer, Johnnycake Books, Inc. 12 The deadline for submissions welcome the following new full member Academy St. Salisbury, CT 06068. (860) to the next Newsletter is who was accepted at the Board of Gover- 435-6677. Email: [email protected] . nors Meeting in April: September 15, 2006

Send your contributions to: Membership Updates ABAA Newsletter 20 West 44th Street E. Wharton & Co. has a new ad- F: (434) 823-5226. New York, NY 10036 dress, phone, and fax number: Box 970, FAX: 212.944.8293 Crozet, VA 22932 (Mailing Address); Charles B. Wood III has an address EMAIL: [email protected] 5539 Stonegate Lane, Crozet, VA 22932 change. His new P.O. box number is (Street Address); Ph: (434) 823-1072; 82369.

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