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Course Content

York Antiquarian Book Seminar offers an opportunity for leading booksellers and librarians to share their expertise and experience with would-be and fledgling booksellers, librarians and collectors in a comprehensive survey of the second-hand, antiquarian and rare book markets. Basic procedures and problems are discussed both formally and informally through a series of lectures, discussions, and practical hands-on workshops with emphasis on cataloguing, pricing and bookselling.

The seminar is designed for people of all levels of expertise, from beginners to those with years of experience who want to hone their skills in this rapidly changing field.

Over the years, we have had the privilege of listening to many outstanding speakers, including our keynote speakers Rob Rulon-Miller (past president of the ABAA), Sally Burdon (current president of ILAB), Heather O'Donnell (Honey & Wax Booksellers, USA), Sunday Steinkirchner (B&B Rare Books, USA), Lisa Baskin (Cumberland Rare Books, USA) Brian Cassidy of Type Punch Matrix, USA, Joan Winterkorn and in 2023, Amanda Hall (Amanda Hall Rare Books). The seminar provides an  unparalleled opportunity to meet and network with fellow booksellers, librarians and collectors from all areas of the trade.

 
 

2024 Schedule

N.B. This a draft schedule and subject to change.

 
 

 
 

Day One - Sunday 8 September

 
 

15:30-16:00 Registration
16:00-16:15 Opening Remarks, Introductions
16:15-17:15 Handling of Books and "Critical thinking; Self-defence in the Digital Age" - Adam Douglas and Sophie Schneideman
17:15-18:15 Keynote Speaker - Sian Wainwright (Blackwell’s)
18:30-20:00 Welcome Drinks

 
 

 
 

Day Two - Monday 9 September

 
 

08:45-9:00 Housekeeping
09:00-10:15. Bookselling Fundamentals: Business Basics - Sophie Schneideman
10:15-11:15. Buying Books Part 1 - Stephen Foster and James Hallgate
11:15-11:30 Break
11:30-12:30 Buying Books Part II - Stephen Foster and James Hallgate
12:30-13:30 Lunch
13:30-14:30 How to Catalogue a Book Part I - Simon Beattie and Adam Douglas
14:30-14:45 Break
14:45-15:45 How to Catalogue a Book Part I - Simon Beattie and Adam Douglas
16:00-18:00 Bookshop Tour

 
 

 
 

Day Three - Tuesday 10 September

08:20-8:30 Housekeeping
08:30-9:30 Modern Firsts - James Hallgate
09:30-10:15. How to Catalogue a Book Part 2 - Simon Beattie and Adam Douglas
10:15-10:30 Break
10:30-11:15 How to Catalogue a Book Part 2 - Simon Beattie and Adam Douglas
11:15-12:30 Evaluating, Pricing & Selling - Stephen Foster
12:30-13:15. Lunch
13:15-14:30 Provenance & Ownership - Dr. Hazel Tubman
14:30-14:45. Break
14:45-15:30. Introduction to Binding Styles - Full Faculty
15:30-15:45 Break
15:45-17:30. Cataloguing Workshop - Full Faculty
18:00-20:00 Tour of Thin Ice Press - Dr. Helen Smith

 
 

 
 

Day Four - Wednesday 11 September

08:20-8:30 Housekeeping
08:30-10:00 An Introduction to The Art of the Book - Sophie Schneideman & Dr. Hazel Tubman
10:00-10:15 Break
10:15-11:30 Book Fairs and Running an open shop - Stephen Foster & James Hallgate
11:30-12:15 Book Fair Etiquette, Q&A
12:15-13:00 Lunch
13:00-14:30 Avoiding Fakes & Forgeries - Adam Douglas
14:30-14:45 Break
14:45-15:45 Marketing for Booksellers - Rachel Chanter
15:45-16:00. Break
16:00-17:30 Panel
18:30-21:00 Celebration Dinner

 
 

 
 

Day Five - Thursday 12 September

08:20-8:30 Housekeeping
08:30-10:15 Selling to Institutional Libraries - Simon Beattie and Lucy Evans
10:15-10:30 Break
10:30-11:30 Putting it in the Post - Stephen Foster
11:30-12:15 Open Forum - Full Faculty
12:15-12:45 Surveys
12:45-13:30 Lunch
14:30 Bus to York Book Fair
18:00 Bus back to York