A few more thoughts on the chain of knowledge...

Just a quick note on the transfer of book knowledge. I have had a conversation or two in the last few days about this and the more I think about it, the more I think one of the most significant, negative effects of the web on the profession of book dealing is the very real loss of “chair time”…the time one dealer would/will spend in the shop of another. This is especially important for the young dealer, as this is where a great deal of knowledge and background and skills are learned and honed.

I mentioned Priscilla Juvelis yesterday…spending time with her is a great example of the knowledge chain I am speaking of. She spent a year at the beginning of her professional career working with and for John Fleming and published her first major catalog in partnership with him. John, in turn, began working for ASW Rosenbach when he was 15 years old and never looked back. There is a remarkable depth of knowledge that flows through that chain.

It is not that such information and connections are not still available, it is just that the nature of connection and connectivity has changed a great deal and the infrastructure for passing on such information and/or developing those relationships has not really changed in keeping. It will be interesting to see if/when the state/regional book associations (MABA, MARIAB, etc.) and the nationals (ABAA, IOBA, etc.) begin stepping up and into this role. It seems to me that they would be well served to do so…both in terms of the credibility and value for the profession and in terms of “bringing up” the next generation of professional dealers. More on this, with luck more clearly stated, to follow.