Seminars on Books and Ephemera

Treasures in the Attic - Old and Rare Books

A Seminar by Ken Gloss (Saturday 1:30 PM)

Ken Gloss tells stories about discoveries he has made while rummaging through area attics. A leaf from a Gutenberg Bible, valued at $25,000; a publicity brochure for the ill-fated Titanic, valued at $2,500; a program from the 1912 World Series won by the Boston Red Sox, valued at $2,500; a first edition Audubon folio, "Quadrupeds of North America;" which Gloss sold for $105,000; and an 1830 copy of the Book of Mormon, which sold in 1996 for $15,000. Once, while doing an appraisal, he discovered, in a box of papers, an early edition of the Declaration of Independence that later sold for $100,000. And there are many other stories. Ken will also touch upon practical lessons in the fine art of book collecting and caring for rare books.

Ken Gloss is the proprietor of the Brattle Book Shop, the oldest, continuously owned bookstore in America, founded in 1825. He is chairman of the Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair Committee, past president of the New England Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America. He is also a member of the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Antiquarian Booksellers Association, the Bostonian Society, Society of the Preservation of New England Antiquities, on the advisory boards of the Newton Historical Society; and of the U.S.S. Constitution Museum, and a former member of the Boston Public Library.

The Economics of Desire: Hand Bookbinding and the Carriage Trade

A Talk by Sam Ellenport (Sunday 11:30 AM)

Sam Ellenport has been a master bookbinder for over 30 years. He owned the renowned Harcourt Bindery since 1970, and now runs his former company as its division head since it became part of Acme Bookbinding Company last fall. The Harcourt Bindery began in Boston in 1900. From its inception, it began producing fine leather bindings, including sets of popular "Deluxe" editions. During its long history, The Harcourt Bindery established a reputation as a pre-eminent hand bindery specializing in leather bindings. Their collection of finishing tools and stamping dies made possible the replication of almost any style of binding decoration.

Collecting Your Passion: Adventures with Books

A Talk by Ian J. Kahn (Sunday 2:30 PM)

What do you collect and why? What makes a collection "great?" Collecting Your Passion will be a short presentation on the adventure of book collecting and the nature of the hunt and the quarry. Attendees are promised high adventure, intrigue and, perhaps, a tall tale or two. The focus will be on what one collects and why - and on the love of the game.

Ian Kahn is a recovering attorney, serial entrepreneur, husband, father and, most importantly (though don't tell his wife this), a bibliophile. Coming from a long line of bookish types, he dabbled in books (personally and for others) for many years with the intent, one day, of "retiring" to books full-time. In short, and due to events too long in the telling, Ian "retired" about 15 years early, Lux Mentis was born, and he has never worked harder, had more fun, or been more pleased with his life. Specializing in fine first editions, esoterica and heirloom quality books, Ian spends most of his time focused on collection and library development - helping others to define, design and build their collections.