Danish Antiquarian Booksellers Association

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Danish Antiquarian Booksellers Association

The Danish Antiquarian Booksellers Association, known in Danish as Den Danske Antikvarboghandlerforening ABF, is a Danish group of professional antiquarian booksellers. It is the oldest booksellers’ association in Scandinavia and one of the oldest in the world, older than the English Antiquarian Booksellers Association and the French SLAM. The association aims to standardize how books are described, protect and develop the trade, and represent booksellers to the public. All members agree to follow the ILAB Code of Ethics.

History

In the mid-1800s, the Danish market for old books grew, becoming a sizable trade. In 1920 a new law expanded to include the used book trade and required registering every book bought. Many feared this would end the trade because tracking every book, especially large collections, would be impossible. On December 16, 1920, three antiquarian booksellers—Carl Frederiksen, Martin Jarler, and A. L. E. V. Ørnø—met and founded the Danish Antiquarian Bookseller’s Association. A committee was formed with the three hosts and Grandsgaard-Christensen and V. J. Jensen from Johan Rasmussen’s shop. Frederiksen became president and negotiated with the Minister of Justice, Svenning Rytter; a crucial paragraph was not included in the law as a result. J. P. Madsen Lind suggested forming a formal association, which was agreed. Martin Jarler was elected the first president, and in 1924 he was succeeded by J. P. Madsen Lind. By the end of 1924 the association had 27 members.

See also

- List of booksellers associations

External links

- ABF site: antikvar.dk