Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America

The Antiquarian Bookman (later AB Bookman's Weekly) reported in its issue of 5 March 1949 that "A great step forward towards the establishment of a genuine national association of antiquarian booksellers was taken" at this meeting, though "it was recognized that there were a great many differences, a long backlog of personal disputes and dissensions and an enormous field of individual views and prejudices" to deal with.

"It was also recognized that all the above were some of the very reasons why a national association of antiquarian booksellers had to be formed: not merely to reconcile the differences but also to advance book-buying, to promote book-collecting, so that all would benefit from such increased activity in the book field."

The association maintains a website[4] featuring educational articles and resources about the rare book trade, as well as a searchable membership database.

Applicants must have been in the business of rare books or printed matter a minimum of four years, be sponsored by three current members, and provide three references as basic requirements for membership.

[11] The ABAA has a comprehensive code of ethics[12] by which all of its members must abide, requiring authentication and accurate description of all items offered for sale.