Rare Books and Special Collections
A cross section of rare book humans (collectors and dealers) and those in special collections (librarians, archivists, and cataloguers, oh my!). Please suggest additions.
Created by
@dominussomes.bsky.social
@drkarrschmidt.bsky.social
Curator of (very old) curious books, prints on fabric, functional ephemera (newberry.org), Director of a pop-up book society (movablebooksociety.org). History of art, science, decorative food, pirates. Where's your WHIMSY? Mostly Chicago. She/her
@allisonleader.bsky.social
Liberal 💙🦋 without a fuck left to give. Trump is the Antichrist 👎🚫
@bucknellscua.bsky.social
Rare books, manuscripts, artists' books, University archives: putting primary sources into the classroom and beyond.
@bodleianlibraries.bsky.social
Amazing collections and breath-taking libraries. Facilitating research at the University of Oxford. Readers: www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk Visitors: visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk
@signaletique.bsky.social
wayfinding design, good looking information, passionate about mountains, snow, water, wind
@gpc23.bsky.social
@whiskyanddjinn.bsky.social
Humanist Annoyingly Rational Mostly just observing the chaos.
@yorkbookfair.bsky.social
12th - 13th September 2025 www.yorkbookfair.com The UK's largest rare & secondhand book fair. Organised by the PBFA.
@dragonflyjessie.bsky.social
I own an antiquarian bookshop with my husband, Jon, named Munster & Company, coach my kids soccer team, am a Girl Scout Leader, a member of our schools PTA, on the Corvallis School District Budget Committee, and do bookkeeping and upholstery on the side.
@sarah416.bsky.social
Liberal, hippie, read a lot, dog lover, librarian, mad as hell at the US and much of the world. Cocktails, wine, coffee, chocolate, & the Oxford comma are some of my favorite things. Rare books and history of the book are a bit of an obsession as well.
@speccollalison.bsky.social
Librarian and writer. Special collections, archives, rare books etc.
@dennis-moser.bsky.social
My music is at https://audiozoloft.bandcamp.com #persist #resist #TrumpEtAliaDelendaEst #visualartist #musician #ESLteacher #tejanobyadoption Seeking asylum in Canada, making music & art, retired archivist /librarian/book conservator
@simon-beattie.bsky.social
Antiquarian bookseller, literary translator, choral composer. Things to listen to here: http://soundcloud.com/simon-42-1
@ditchlillies.bsky.social
Archivist at Mississippi State University. Interests incl: digital humanities, the 19th c., legal history, women's work, and pirates. Opinions are all my own.
@ejjohnson.bsky.social
Professor & Head of Thompson Special Collections, Ohio State University / Curator of Rare Books & Manuscripts / Medieval MSS nerd / Fragmentology / walking / puro RGV, y que
@wclaspy.bsky.social
Head of Special Collections, Case Western Reserve University. Woodworker. Trout fisherman.
@theomagica.bsky.social
🏳️⚧️ 🏳️🌈 she/her. Bibliography, cats, Himalayan Buddhism. Fix your hearts or die. Wed to @maddavenport.bsky.social. Boston (Dorchester).
@jimstokes.bsky.social
#ConstantReader Science Fiction & Fantasy. Board trustee (Spring Lake Public Library, VNA of NJ). USNA alumni. IBM retiree. Nosce te ipsum.
@supportbones.bsky.social
This is where I write something which refers to a single ep of television that aired in 2009 -- then never change it for the life of the platform. She/Her Minneapolis, MN
@pox-and-frocks.bsky.social
Paleopathologist, medical historian, archives gremlin, a menace and an imp who threatens to lick any Scheele's green she sees.
@heatherthomasuk.bsky.social
Owner of Westwood Books in Sedbergh, England's official Booktown www.westwoodbooks.co.uk
@briancassidy.bsky.social
Rare book & archives dealer. Co-founder Type Punch Matrix. Lapsed poet. Duplication dork. Commodifying print since 2004.
@decorporis.bsky.social
Rare book librarian in the Midwest, tea and fountain pen enthusiast, cat lover.
@noraepstein.bsky.social
❧ Newberry Library Instruction and Outreach Librarian ❧ Postdoc fellow with @paulmelloncentr.bsky.social ❧ interested in material bibliography, book history, woodcuts, & doodles ❧ she/her ❧ all opinions my own
@deedeebaldwinms.bsky.social
Engagement librarian at Mississippi State. Researching Black legislators in Mississippi during Reconstruction. Opinions represent me alone. Rocking the AuDHD. 40-something fangirl and secular humanist. Aunt to humans, mom to cats. she/her
@oldslyboots.bsky.social
Ice cream maker, rare books curator, papercut artist, assumes that puns are funny automatically
@yersiniapestis.bsky.social
Rare-books cataloger. Dotty middle-aged cat lady. YIMBY. COVID scold. Swears a lot. Jeopardy! silver medalist. Eat the rich; punch N@zis; TERFS piss off. She/her.
@emmastanford.bsky.social
Your earnest friend in special collections digitization + access. Currently @ Stanford University Libraries, previously Hoover Institution Library & Archives, previously Bodleian Libraries, @e_stanf on Twitter.
@aravahshifra.bsky.social
Library & Archives worker / Div school alum / Sweet Tea Enthusiast / Sufjan Fever / Coffeeshop Regular / Movies by Yourself Club / she+her
@bibliodeviant.bsky.social
Rare Books & Manuscripts, secrets and stories and scrabbling under rocks. Unbearable but occasionally entertaining. He/Him.
@joshboardman.com
It is my opinion as well as that of others that the word grey spelled with an e is greyer than the same word spelled with an a: gray.
@jillegage.bsky.social
Wing Curator, History of Printing @NewberryLibrary. Dix-huitièmiste. Love Madeira, hot air balloons, civilité type & maîtres écrivains.
@wisdompedlars.bsky.social
Weekly Rare & Antiquarian Book Auctions Since 2003 BOOK AUCTIONS END EVERY SUNDAY 8pm (UK Time) #rarebooks #books #antiquarian #earlymodern #bibliophile #bookhistory #bookauctions stores.ebay.co.uk/wisdompedlars
@kajamarczewska.bsky.social
Special Collections @UCL // also writing about the small press, grassroots publishing, and alternative cultures of knowledge production // This is not a copy (2018) / The Contemporary Small Press (co-ed) (2020)
@funkebooks.bsky.social
Rare books cared for, researched, and placed in good homes. I brake for bibliographies. See our website funkebooks.com for new arrivals.
@janineveazue.bsky.social
Archivist. Digital Librarian. Introvert w/ extrovert goals. LIS, natural history, zines, kaiju, punk rock, Kdramas, space, archives, & all things delightfully weird. KDrama ramblings at somanykdramas.tumblr.com Zines for sale at https://etsy.me/3Ya6bXa
@ebrumfitt.bsky.social
Dealer in rare books, mainly before 1820, mainly European. Plus other distractions.
@colleenlovesbks.bsky.social
Champion of the obscure, Hobbit-like tendencies, Rare Books Librarian at UKL.
@arkhamlibrarian.bsky.social
rare book librarian, book junkie, devotee of the weird, angry queer, friend to all monsters, nonbinary freak.
@bibliowingate.bsky.social
PhD candidate in Information Science. #BookHistory of early modern Navarre (bookselling/private libraries), #DH, #DHmakes, libraries, rare books. Bibliography Editor for Chymistry of Isaac Newton & SHARP News. W&M '18, ULondon '19, MLS @IU '21
@jcblibrary.bsky.social
@svanimpe.bsky.social
Book historian, rare books curator Erfgoedbibliotheek Hendrik Conscience, Antwerp. Opinions mine, I may be wrong, follow/like isn't endorsement. He/him. Caregiver for a partner with Long Covid. Used to be @RareBookLibAntw on Twitter. Profile pic by LUCID.
@camlibresearch.bsky.social
Director, Research and Collections, Cambridge University Library and CUL Research Institute; Bye-Fellow, Pembroke College; FSA FRHistS; University Deputy Proctor; The Country House Library (Yale, 2017); private views
@parkerlibcccc.bsky.social
Special collections library at Corpus Christi College, University of Cambridge https://www.corpus.cam.ac.uk/parker-library Parker Library On the Web - medieval and early modern MSS digitised https://parker.stanford.edu/parker
@physiciansgallery.bsky.social
A free museum and library exploring the science and humanity of medicine at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh Sign up to our newsletter www.rcpe.ac.uk/newsletter
@silviabroome.bsky.social
Bookseller. Gothic girl. Classical Philology, Ancient History, Byron, Ghost band, Star Wars. Maul and Thrawn supporter. DarthBroome. Evagreenismo. Μῆνιν ἄειδε, θεά, Πηληιάδεω Ἀχιλῆος
@liamsims.bsky.social
Rare Books Specialist at Cambridge University Library | Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries | Bibliographical Society Council Member | Venetophile | Bellringer | PhD on antiquarian networks in 18thC Lincolnshire (see pinned post for link to thesis) 🌈
@scoutshonorusm.bsky.social
Seattle Writer🌲Politico 💙 Mother 💋 Wife 🤬 Potty mouth🌈 Gen X 🌊Berkeley grad 🇺🇸 Former Army LT 🐾 Mama Bear Mandatory 🐱🐶breaks. Un-apologetically Opinionated. IG @unitedstatesofmotherhood X @scoutshonor TT @unitedstatesofmom FB @murphyraines
@jasonwdean.com
Librarian. Bibliographer. Art Lover. Photographer. Texpat. Collector of the work of Carl Hertzog. #rarebooks #histstm #speccolls
@cejacobson.bsky.social
Associate Curator of Modern Books & Manuscripts @ Houghton Library, Harvard University newsletter on cultural heritage x fashion: luxelibris.substack.com writing, projects, frivolity, etc: linktr.ee/cejacobson
@kawulf.bsky.social
Historian of #VastEarlyAmerica, gender, family & politics | Director & Librarian @ JCBLibrary | History Prof @ Brown U #LineageTheBook OUP July 2, 2025 | On some other platforms and also @ karinwulf.com | Opinions here just mine.
@rhiggitt.bsky.social
Historian of science; Principal Curator of Science at National Museums Scotland & Honorary Fellow at STIS, University of Edinburgh. Views own. Formerly known as @beckyfh #histsci #histSTM #museums 📜🗃️ https://teleskopos.wordpress.com/profile
@wynkenhimself.bsky.social
feminist bibliography, old books, and mutual aid // I wrote Studying Early Printed Books 1450–1800: A Practical Guide, I edit The Papers of the Bibliographical Society of America, and sometimes I play with wallpaper designs // sarahwerner.net
@rcsedlibandarchive.bsky.social
News, collection highlights and heritage stories from the Library & Archive at Surgeons' Hall/Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh #histmed https://archiveandlibrary.rcsed.ac.uk https://www.rcsed.ac.uk/career-hub/learning-resources/library-and-archive
@mkirschenbaum.bsky.social
Grimdark media, theory of the present, and critical tech, including AI. Better times: letterpress printing and tabletop gaming. Distinguished University Prof., U. of Maryland; speaking only for myself here though. Default content: cats. Pests: blocked.
@liber-ray.bsky.social
Archivist at Lincoln College, Oxford and Support Officer for Academic Engagement at Bodleian Libraries 📖 Medievalist 📜 I like big books and cannot lie! (she/her) 📕
@lisafdavis.bsky.social
Medievalist, Paleographer, Codicologist, Voynichologist; Executive Director, @medievalacademy.bsky.social; Brown Univ. and Yale Univ. alum; PhD; Red Sox fan
@rebeccaromney.com
Your bookish enabler. Rare book dealer, Type Punch Matrix. Author, JANE AUSTEN’S BOOKSHELF. Co-founder of the Honey & Wax Book Collecting Prize. Pawn Stars, The Booksellers doc.
@zannavanloon.bsky.social
Curator of rare books and manuscripts at Museum Plantin-Moretus ❦ Doctor in early modern history ❦ Book historian and bibliographer ❦ Research on the materiality of early modern books
@propublica.org
Investigative journalism in the public interest. Headlines and (sometimes literal) receipts. Got a tip for us? Go to: https://www.propublica.org/tips/
@sarahfaery.bsky.social
Libraries, privacy, censorship, disability and chronic illness patient advocacy, Irish and Scottish shit, faeries, Redwoods, pebbles, sea glass, and cats.
@owlcreekbooks.com
Rare and vintage bookstore in Mid-city Los Angeles. Open Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm & Sat, 9am-2pm owlcreekbooks.com
@forumrarebooks.bsky.social
Rare book dealers from the Netherlands, specializing in books, manuscripts, prints, maps & other works on paper concerning Travel & Exploration, Islamic World, Natural History, Early Printing, Cartography, Science & Medicine, etc. www.forumrarebooks.com
@librarything.com
LibraryThing is the number one app and website for cataloging your books, getting book recommendations and socializing with fellow book lovers.
@tonyfoth.bsky.social
Ken Spelman Rare Books, ABA. ILAB. PBFA. books | birds | baking | photography | travelling | guitars ~ Art, gardening, women & science, Italian Grand Tour, manuscripts, the unusual. www.kenspelman.com kenspelmanbooks@gmail.com
@westwoodbooks.bsky.social
Bookshop in England’s official Booktown www.westwoodbooks.co.uk
@collectionssgul.bsky.social
Archives & Special Collections and Pathology Museum at City St George's, University of London. Custodians of Jenner's cow Blossom
@letterformarchive.org
A nonprofit center for inspiration, education, publishing, and community in lettering, typography, and graphic design. We post items from our collection of over 100,000 objects. Visit, take a class, buy a book: https://letterformarchive.org
@burnslibrary.bsky.social
Boston College Archives, Manuscripts and Rare Books. Irish studies, Jesuitica, British Catholic authors, Boston history, and more
@obs1922.bsky.social
Founded 102 years ago, the OBS celebrates the collection, care, and enjoyment of libraries, books, and archives of all sizes📚 Oxford, England oxbibsoc.wordpress.com
@jbd1.bsky.social
Librarian, historian of early America, biblio-human, birder. Upstate NY. Opinions here my own.
@mazarine.bsky.social
Imaginaria, libraries, archives, book history, history of science, social/environmental justice, music, birds, plants, funny things Water creature | she/her | Californian in northeastern US
@bexbookaholic.bsky.social
Book-obsessed, theatre-loving feminist with a liberal outlook on life. Mental health champion. Award winning book blogger. https://bookaholicbex.wordpress.com/
@illinoisrbml.bsky.social
Rare Book & Manuscript Library at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Main Library 346 | https://www.library.illinois.edu/rbx/ Follow us on Instagram (illinois_rbml) and Facebook (IllinoisRBML)!
@gladlib.bsky.social
A unique residential library; a place to read, write and rest. Book a stay through our website and discover our beautiful Reading Rooms and boutique bedrooms! www.gladstoneslibrary.org
@stepanchizhov.bsky.social
Author of The Dark Lady’s Guide to Villainy: https://royalroad.com/fiction/105229 Rising Stars Checker tool: https://stepan.chizhov.com/genre-rising-stars-positions/ Toolmaker, interviewer, and owner at iBookBinding https://ibookbinding.com/
@cokiea.bsky.social
Rare book crone. Cat lady. Knitter. Gardening enthusiast. Library supporter. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ally.
@patricksrarebooks.bsky.social
Forensic Pathologist buying & selling antiquarian medical books, theology, & Bibles. patricksrarebooks.com Author of The Grave Below.
@nedstationbooks.bsky.social
Singing songs and slinging books at Station North Books, just north of Penn Station, Baltimore… and coaching Squash!
@octavosaurus.bsky.social
Special collections / heritage / libraries / archives, education, art, UCL, books, GirlGuiding, neurodiversity, geekery. 🌈📚📦 https://linktr.ee/octavosaurus
@nelsonrarebooks.com
Bookseller of uncommon 18-19th c. British literature, street literature, and Gothic Revival. Dirtbag medievalist. Wears Crocs with tweed. It’s all sarcasm. Member ABAA/ILAB/PBFA.
@archibrarian.bsky.social
Editor, RBM journal. Special collections librarian, JCU. #Escalator historian. Architecture, art, special collections. Important #LakeErieReport🌊 pics. 📚📜 #BookSky Cover: Agnes Denes at Socrates Sculpture Park.