News | May 5, 2025

Antiquarian Booksellers' Association Announces Bernard Shapero as New President

ABA

Bernard Shapero

Bernard Shapero has been appointed as the new president of the The Antiquarian Booksellers' Association (ABA) and will represent the association as its new President for the next two years.

Bernard started in the book trade in 1979 by buying and selling rare books at Gray's Antiques Market. Ten years later he moved the business to a purpose-designed gallery in Holland Park, before returning to Mayfair in 1996, making the move to Shapero Rare Books’ current bookshop and gallery at 94 New Bond Street in 2024. 

While his specialist knowledge lies primarily in works of natural history, travel and literature, his 45 years in the rare book world and his enthusiasm for printed and illustrated books in general make him a font of bibliographic knowledge. 

"I feel greatly honoured to have been appointed as the new President of the ABA," said Shapero. "Deborah Coltham and Pom Harrington have taken the Association into the 2020s with great acumen in what proved to be challenging times for our trade. I look forward to working with all our members to carry on with their good work and hope that the rare book world will continue to thrive in the UK."