Antiquarian Booksellers Association

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article does not cite any references or sources. (April 2008)
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

The Antiquarian Booksellers Association (ABA) is the senior trade body in the British Isles for dealers in antiquarian and rare books, manuscripts and allied materials. It was founded in 1906 and is the oldest organization of its kind in the world, Its membership also extends to many leading booksellers overseas. Run by a professional secretariat under the overall control of a democratically elected President and Council, the Association is the book trade’s professional and regulatory body. Its ethos is one both of high professional standards and the provision of continually expanding support and services for its members.

1 ABA Standards
2 Definition
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] ABA Standards

Members are elected solely on the basis of proven experience, expertise and integrity. They are expected to observe the highest professional and ethical standards and to foster mutual trust between the trade and the public. Applicants for membership must have been full-time professional antiquarian booksellers for five consecutive years before becoming eligible. Members are bound by the Articles of Association and Rules, as well as the most stringent Code of Good Practice yet adopted anywhere in the world of books.

The display of the ABA badge, which is a Registered Trade Mark, pledges members to:

the authenticity of all material offered for sale
the expert and proper description of all such material
the disclosure of all significant defects or restorations
the clear, accurate and professional pricing of all material
the fairness and honesty of offers to purchase.

[edit] Definition

Antiquarian Booksellers are defined as individuals, sole traders, partnerships, companies, and corporations having Antiquarian Book departments, routinely and professionally engaged in purchasing, valuing, pricing and selling Antiquarian Books.