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ABOUT
Ben Kinmont Bookseller began in 1998 in New York City. The business specializes in 15th to early 19th-century books about food and wine, domestic and rural economy, health, perfume, and the history of taste. More recently, we have also added 19th and 20th-century material concerned with radical food systems, economic precarity, and food in congregate settings.
We issue approximately seven illustrated lists each year. About 90% of the lists are new acquisitions and they usually contain descriptions of the material that we are about to exhibit at a book fair. We participate annually in the antiquarian book fairs in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, New York, London, York (UK), and Paris. We work regularly with librarians as well as private clients from around the world and are happy to receive your desiderata and help you with collection development.
In 2003 we moved from New York City to Sebastopol, California, where we welcome visitors by appointment. If you would like to join our mailing list and receive our newsletters, please subscribe.
Ben Kinmont Bookseller is a member of the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America, the Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association (UK), and the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers.
Ben Kinmont
he/him
In 1988, I entered the world of antiquarian books while working with Jonathan Hill, a specialist in the history of science in New York City. During my ten years with Jonathan, I had the opportunity to handle the first editions of authors such as Copernicus, Vesalius, Galileo, and Kepler, and developed my love for the history of printing. We also bought and sold antiquarian bibliography and this afforded me an overview of the history of book collecting.
In 1998, at the encouragement of Jonathan, I started Ben Kinmont Bookseller. Our first office was in a large closet in a loft in TriBeca, New York City. Today we have our own small building and are surrounded by fruit and oak trees in California.
Outside of rare books, I am also involved with the contemporary art world and try to find time to go surfing.
Kajsa Edvardsson
they/them, she/her
Graphic Design
Kajsa has worked for Ben Kinmont Bookseller since 2020. They photograph inventory and work with Ben to design the catalogues, lists, email newsletters, and other material.
They studied design at UC Davis and have been working in graphic design since graduating. Outside of the office, they enjoy painting, ceramics, and visiting botanical gardens.
