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
2026-Present: Jim Owens, Thorn Books
2025: Jeffrey Rothermel Captain's Book Shoppe
2022-2024: 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)
Haines Jr., Robert Dudley [1946-2024] of Argonaut Book Shop
(San Francisco, California, USA) [Angela Haines current owner.]
One of the original pioneers in internet bookselling.
Bob Haines Jr. was a long-supportive IOBA member since 2011
Youtube interview: (18) Robert D. Haines, Jr., Argonaut Book Shop - YouTube
Antiquarian bookstore was favorite Hitchcock haunt (sfgate.com)
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)
Johnson, Stephen Anthony [1958-2024] of Allington Antiquarian Books
(Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA)
Joined IOBA 2010
Obituary information for Stephen Anthony Johnson
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.
Rison, Brandon [1980-2026] of Oddfellow's Fine Books
(Topeka, Kansas, USA)
Oddfellow's Fine Books
Joined IOBA 2014
Brandon Dean Rison Obituary February 20, 2026 - Popkess Mortuary
Szewczyk, David M. [1947-2024]
of The Philadelphia Rare Books & Manuscripts Co. (PRB&M)
[Cynthia Davis Buffington current owner]
(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA)
Joined IOBA in 2014
Ace bookseller and appraiser.
Temple, Steven [1947-2023] of Steven Temple Books
(Welland, Canada)
Joined IOBA in 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]
(Dallas, Texas, USA):
Joined IOBA in 2002
IOBA President 2016
Obituary | Joan White of Dallas, Texas | Williams Funeral Directors