Mike Costanzo writes:

Ms. Romney is an established seller known to fans as the show's rare books expert. But at 37, she represents a broad and growing cohort of young collectors who are coming to the trade from many walks of life; just across the aisle, Luke Pascal, a 30-year-old former restaurateur, was presiding over a case of letters by Abraham Lincoln and George Washington.

Michael F. Suarez, the director of the Rare Book School at the University of Virginia, said that these days, his students are skewing younger and less male than a decade ago, with nearly one-third attending on full scholarships.

he said.

Of course, most entry-level collectors can't plunk down hundreds of thousands of dollars for a first edition. But by frequenting estate sales and used bookstores, scouring eBay for hidden gems and learning how to spot value in all kinds of items, enthusiasts in their 20s and 30s have amassed collections that reflect their own tastes and interests.

Their work has been elevated by prizes from organizations and sellers such as Honey & Wax in Brooklyn, which recognize efforts to create as opposed to the most valuable, Professor Suarez said. As a result, they are helping to shape the next generation of a hobby, and a rarefied trade.

Several young attendees stood out among the business-attire-and-book-core crowd at the fair - in particular Laura Jaeger, a petite 22-year-old with a shock of pink hair. Her mother, Jennifer Jaeger, owns Ankh Antiquarian Books in Chadstone, Australia, which specializes in books about Ancient Egypt; Laura is in the process of becoming a partner in the business.

She plans to expand its collection to reflect her interests, she said, like metaphysics and photography. she said.

Kendall Spencer, 30, also hopes to leave his mark on the antiquarian book world. A Georgetown Law graduate who became enamored with rare books while researching Frederick Douglass, he is working as an apprentice at DeWolfe & Wood Rare Books while he prepares to take the Massachusetts bar exam.

said Mr. Spencer, who is Black.

To read the complete article, see:
Meet the New Old Book Collectors(https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/07/style/rare-used-book-collectors.html)