COMMON MAPS
Map version new-york activity top-down
Main site Contact
Menu
↑ parent activity group ·
research dossier

ANTIQUARIAN BOOKSELLERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
BROOKLYN, NY · EIN 131783842 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE A33C · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Medium ($1M-$10M) · abaa.org
revenue
$1.7M
expenses
$1.9M
net assets
$700K
employees
2
program ratio
91%
mission · from form 990

ENCOURAGE AND PROMOTE INTEREST IN AND APPRECIATION OF FINE AND ANTIQUARIAN BOOKS, OTHER PRINTED MATERIALS, AND MANUSCRIPTS.

profile · synthesized from sources

The Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America promotes the appreciation of fine and antiquarian books, manuscripts, and printed materials. It supports a network of independent rare booksellers across the United States, facilitating access to rare and collectible items through directories, book fairs, and online catalogs. The organization fosters public interest in the history and cultural value of the printed word.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $1.33M
    TRAVEL TO AND PARTICIPATION IN BOOKFAIRS AND CONFERENCES FOR THE FURTHERMENT OF THE ASSOCIATION.
  2. #2 $175K
    PRINTING OF DIRECTORY AND OTHER INFORMATIONAL SERVICES TO FURTHER THE ASSOCIATION.
named programs · 2 · from sources

What they call their work

ABAA Book Fairs and Conferences
Organizes and supports travel to book fairs and conferences to promote member booksellers and public engagement with rare books
ABAA Directory and Information Services
Produces and distributes the official directory and related materials to support member visibility and public access to rare book resources
activities · 9 groups

What they do

  • Professional Conference Support 1 activity
    • Administers the ABAA Diversity Initiative Discovery Program
      Runs a guided career development program for underrepresented individuals in the rare book trade, including stipends of up to $2,500 to attend the Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair, shop visits, networking, and career training; has supported multiple cohorts since inception.
  • Recognition and Awards Programs 1 activity
    • Administers the National Collegiate Book Collecting Contest
      Recognizes and promotes outstanding book collecting by college and university students through an annual contest, administering entries and awards.
  • Archival Digitization and Preservation 1 activity
    • Conducts oral history interviews with members
      Conducts and archives video interviews with members to document their personal histories and professional involvement in the rare book trade.
  • Member-Exclusive Resource Access 1 activity
    • Facilitates access to member booksellers' inventories
      Provides ongoing access to new acquisitions and cataloged rare books from member booksellers through regular features, online listings, and distribution of catalogs, newsletters, e-lists, podcasts, and blog posts.
  • University-Specific Endowment and Program Funding 1 activity
    • Funds scholarly research and education in the antiquarian book trade
      Provides financial assistance for scholarly research and education relevant to the antiquarian book trade through the Elisabeth Woodburn Fund.
  • Literary Events & Workshops 1 activity
    • Organizes annual and virtual antiquarian book fairs
      Hosts major in-person and virtual book fairs, including the annual New York and Boston International Antiquarian Book Fairs and a 75th-anniversary Virtual Book Fair, featuring rare materials such as manuscripts, first editions, maps, and autographs.
  • Student Career Readiness and Internship Placement 1 activity
    • Runs mentorship and internship programs for early-career professionals
      Offers structured career development opportunities including a mentorship program for early-career participants and a paid summer internship program co-sponsored by AbeBooks to build capacity in the rare book trade.
  • Member Hardship Assistance Programs 1 activity
    • Supports antiquarian booksellers in times of personal need
      Operates the Antiquarian Booksellers' Benevolent Fund, established in 1952, to provide financial and other support to antiquarian booksellers facing personal hardship.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Develops professional standards and best practices
      Provides professional recognition to over 400 rare booksellers who meet high standards of expertise and ethical practice, and develops best practices for cataloging and selling culturally sensitive materials through the ABAA Diversity Initiative.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.66M
Contributions & grants$15K1%
Program service revenue$1.63M98%
Investment income$24K1%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$1.88M
Program expenses91%
Admin / overhead9%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$367K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$907K
Cash$408K
Investments$438K
Liabilities$207K
Net assets$700K
Liquid reserves5.4 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +107.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
SUSAN BENNE DIRECTOR 40 $234K
board members · 4
  • ALEXANDER AKIN — PRESIDENT
  • JOHN KNOTT — VICE PRESIDE
  • PETER BLACKMAN — TREASURER
  • VIC ZOSCHAK — SECRETARY
relationships · 33

Who they work with

  • ABAA Network — Member organization providing access to rare book catalogs and resources through its network of member booksellers.
  • ABAA Diversity Initiative Network — Internal initiative of the ABAA focused on improving cataloging and sales practices for culturally sensitive materials.
  • AbeBooks Partner — Co-sponsors the ABAA paid summer internship program.
  • Antiquarian Booksellers' Benevolent Fund Network — Non-profit charity fund established by ABAA to support antiquarian booksellers in personal need.
  • Argosy Book Store Partner — Member bookseller offering rare items through ABAA platforms.
  • BOSTON ATHENÆUM Partner — Hosted Discovery Program participants for visits and engagement with curators.
  • Bernett Rare Books Partner — Hosted Discovery Program participant visit as an ABAA member firm.
  • Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair Partner — Hosts and organizes the annual Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair in partnership with member booksellers and event stakeholders.
  • Boston Public Library-Special Collections Partner — Hosted Discovery Program participants for visits with curators and cataloguers.
  • Brattle Book Shop Partner — Hosted Discovery Program participant visit as an ABAA member firm.
  • Brian Cassidy Bookseller at Type Punch Matrix Partner — Member bookseller offering rare items through ABAA platforms.
  • Bryn Mawr Bookstore Partner — Hosted Discovery Program participant visit as an ABAA member firm.
  • Capitol Hill Books Partner — Member bookseller offering rare items through ABAA platforms.
  • DeWolfe & Wood Rare Books Partner — Hosted Discovery Program participant visit through member firm representative Scott DeWolfe.
  • Ed's Editions Bookstore Partner — Member bookseller offering rare items through ABAA platforms.
  • Elisabeth Woodburn Fund Network — Fund administered by ABAA that provides financial assistance for scholarly research and education in the antiquarian book trade.
  • Grayshelf Books Partner — Member bookseller offering rare items through ABAA platforms.
  • Houghton Library Partner — Hosted Discovery Program participants for visits with curators.
  • International League of Antiquarian Booksellers Partner — Co-sponsors and sanctions the Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair.
  • James Cummins Bookseller Partner — Member bookseller offering rare items through ABAA platforms.
  • Ken Sanders Rare Books Partner — Member bookseller offering rare items through ABAA platforms.
  • Kurt A. Sanftleben Partner — Member bookseller offering rare items through ABAA platforms.
  • Kurt Gippert Bookseller Partner — Member bookseller offering rare items through ABAA platforms.
  • Lisa Baskin Partner — Hosted Discovery Program participant visit as a private collector.
  • Max Rambod, Inc. Partner — Member bookseller offering rare items through ABAA platforms.
  • Michael Ginsberg Partner — Conducted archival video interviews of ABAA members
  • Nudelman Rare Books Partner — Member bookseller offering rare items through ABAA platforms.
  • Philip Salmon & Company Rare Books Partner — Hosted Discovery Program participant visit as an ABAA member firm.
  • Royal Books Partner — Member bookseller offering rare items through ABAA platforms.
  • Schlesinger Library Partner — Hosted Discovery Program participants for visits with curators.
+ 3 more
strategies · 2

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Professional Standards Enforcement via Ethical Certification
    methodology: professional_standards_enforcement
    By certifying booksellers who meet high standards of professionalism, ethics, and expertise, and enforcing adherence through a rigorous vetting process and Code of Ethics, the ABAA builds trust and credibility in the rare book trade, which strengthens market integrity and public confidence.
  • Trade Advancement through Collegial Engagement and Education
    methodology: collegial_trade_development
    By fostering professional relationships among booksellers and integrating continuing education with inclusive programming and career immersion opportunities, the ABAA strengthens the trade through collective knowledge growth, equity, and sustained public interest in rare books.