Books in the Blood

ANTHONY ROTA, dealer in antiquarian books and first editions for over half a century, talks of the private collectors and university libraries whose collections he has helped to enrich over these years, remembering his colleagues in the firm and in the trade generally.

His early training under Bertram Rota, and the history of the firm since the latter's early death,. are followed by telling commentaries on virtually all aspects of the trade, including runners, auctions (and auction rings), and the problems of buying privately or in competition.

As past president of the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association, and of the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (of which is he now President of Honour), these lightly written memoirs, may be read as a guide to collectors and dealers alike, or, more simply, for the sheer pleasure of their reading.