HISTORY

IOBA was founded in 1999 by a group of concerned online booksellers. When the internet began to take on a life of its own around this time, and several pioneer used/out-of-print/antiquarian book search services opened their electronic doors for business, the booksellers who were really their partners in this new venture were thrilled with the results, as were our customers. Even at this early date, however, it became obvious that we needed to reconcile the wonderful efficiency and relative anonymity of online selling with the importance of maintaining traditional values. Forming a trade association gave us an opportunity to address the key issues of establishing trust between bookseller and book buyer, helping to train future generations of new booksellers, advocating for our members, and acting as a clearinghouse for information.

PRESIDENTS

2022-Present: Richard Erdmann, Mare Booksellers

2019-2021: Doug Nelson, Nelson Rare Books

2019-2019: Suzanne Mantell, Warwick Books

2017-2018: Christine Volk, bookfever.com

2016: Joan White, White Unicorn Books

2014-2015: William Knox, The Penang Bookshelf

2013: Christine Volk, Bookfever.com

2012: Joachim Koch, Books Tell You Why

2010-2011: Karin Bergsagel, The Eclectic Bookworm

2008-2009: Shawn Purcell, Balopticon Books & Ephemera

2007: Michael Watson, 20 Ants

2005-2006: David Friedman, Barner Books/Bibliotique

2004: Shirley Bryant, Authors & Artists

2003: Maria Bustillos, Popula

2002: Julie Fauble, Century Books

2001: Sally Hollingsworth, Book Crone

2001: Jim Hart, The Published Page Book Shop

2000: Deb Graham, Books By Blondie

1999: Rik Pavlescak, Blue Monkey Books

IOBA FOUNDERS

Shirley Bryant, Authors & Artists; Julie Fauble; Century Books; Judy Gordon, Crowe’s Nest Books & Collectibles; Deb Graham, Books By Blondie; Sally Hollingsworth, Book Crone; Susan Pav, Ravenroost Books; Rik Pavlescak, Blue Monkey Books; Robert Shulman, The Book Collector's Library; Vic Zoschak, Tavistock Books

IN MEMORIAM

Austin, Garry [1921-2019] of Austin's Antiquarian Books

(Wilmington, Vermont, USA)

Joined IOBA in 2012

Considered an "Expert IOBA Trade List Bookseller"

Garry Austin's Guidelines for using Trade Lists to SELL books | IOBA

VABA Profile: Austin's Antiquarian Books (vermontisbookcountry.com)

Garry Austin Obituary (2019) - Wilmington, VT - Brattleboro Reformer (legacy.com)

Cresap, Alyce M. [1933-2003] of Alyce Cresap, Books & Ephemera (Germantown, New York, USA):

Charter member of IOBA, served as Internet Chair, writer of engaging emails
Remembering Alyce Cresap (ioba.org)

Hanson, Dee (D.J.) Jeffrey [1945-2022] of Dakota Literature

(Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA)

Joined IOBA in 2009
DJ served as At Large Representative Executive Board Member and was also the Chair of the Membership Committee
Dee (D.j.) Jeffrey Hanson Obituary - Argus Leader

Hecksher, Robert [1972-2022] of Astro Trader Books

(Hollywood, California, USA) [Cecilia Hecksher current owner]

Vintage paperback specialist

Joined IOBA 2020
Robert Hecksher Obituary (1972 - 2022) - Los Angeles, CA - Los Angeles Times (legacy.com)

Astro Trader Books, Los Angeles, California (biblio.com)

Lanfranco, Len [1939-2002] of Columbia Books

(Oswego, Oregon, USA):
Early IOBA member, an energetic colleague, served as Public Relations Chair

Thoughts on a Friends Passing – Leonard W. Lanfranco (ioba.org)

Lehr, Anne Poe [1949-2004] of Poe’s Cousin

(White Plains, New York, USA):

Anne joined IOBA in 2000 and served as Vice President, died in office.

ANNE LEHR Obituary (2004) - Westchester, NY - The Journal News (legacy.com)

Lynch,John Patrick [1946-2023] of Pilgrim Reader

(Madawaska Valley, Ontario, Canada)

Pilgrim Reader Bookstore

Joined IOBA 2002

Obituary for John Patrick Lynch | Heubner Funeral Home Barry's Bay Ltd.

Temple, Steven [1947-2023] of Steven Temple Books
(Welland, Canada)
Joined IOBA: 2016
President with the Canadian Booksellers Association, Secretary of the International League of Antiquarian Bookseller, member of IOBA.
STEVEN TEMPLE | Obituary | Toronto Star (thestar.com)

White, DeWayne [1940-2019] of White Unicorn Books [Business closed]

(Dallas, Texas, USA):

Joined IOBA in 2002

Facilitated IOBA's Identifying First Edition website pages

Obituary | Dewayne J. White of Dallas, Texas | Williams Funeral Directors

White, Joan [1940-2020] of White Unicorn Books [Business closed]