Chris Lowenstein

Rare Book Educational Opportunities Abound

Are you one of those people who have always been intrigued by the idea of collecting old and rare books but who doesn't know enough about such things to even know where to start? Are you someone who finds the career of antiquarian bookseller intriguing but mysterious?  Are you someone who really loves books and just wants to know more about them?


Yes? I, too, was, until

Pasadena Book Fair Report


Antiquarian Book Auctions, Part 4

In addition to knowing what titles you'd like to purchase at auction, reading and understanding the auctioneer's descriptions of the books, and deciding what will be your maximum bid, you'd be well served to understand the terminology of auctions. Formed in 1949, The National Auctioneers Association (NAA) promotes the professionalism of auctioneers

Antiquarian Book Auctions, Part 3
Click on the links to read Part 1 and Part 2 of this series about understanding antiquarian book auctions.

One of the things I always wondered about book auctions
Antiquarian Book Auctions, Part 2
You can read Part 1 of this post here.

I'm writing this series of posts on antiquarian book auctions primarily for those who haven't spent much time at antiquarian book auctions, including myself. The best way to learn is to do, and, once you've done, be willing to share it
Antiquarian Book Auctions, Part 1
Even though I've been an antiquarian bookseller for almost four years and I've purchased some good items for myself and for my customers at auction, I've always been a little bit intimidated by live auctions.

Live auctions seem as if they are fraught with all kinds of peril for the uninitiated: Should I bid higher than I planned just because two or three other bidders in the room (
California Calls You -- 2010 California Rare Book School Schedule

There are so many times I wished I had a bricks and mortar bookshop -- to interact with customers every day, to be able to play with displays of books, and to have the sense that I am, indeed, a real bookseller.


The Best Bookish Blog You May Not Be Reading
While books about book collecting abound, have you ever wished you had a comprehensive collection of internet resources about books and book collecting at your fingertips? Wouldn't it be great to have list of literary and specialized book terms, a list of bookish organizations, bibliographic resources, bookish blogs and podcasts, and regional centers for the book all available at the click of
2010 San Francisco Antiquarian Book Fair, Part 3, Or, These are the Days

If you're just joining the saga of the 2010 San Francisco Antiquarian Book Fair, please read Part 1 and

2010 San Francisco Antiquarian Book Fair, Part 2, Or, Runnin' Down a Dream

You can read Part 1 of this post here.


Eleven-year-old Tom, my assistant for set-up day at the

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