I am over-the-moon excited to announce that I have been awarded the 2nd place prize in the National Collegiate Book Collecting Contest, hosted by the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America (ABAA), the Fellowship of American Bibliophilic Societies, and the Grolier Club. This contest is open to students across the country (both undergraduates and graduate students).
My entry was titled “Selling Dead Presidents,” and looked at 25 items from my canvassing book collection. Each item is about a president or presidential candidate, and was published just after they died. The submission also included an essay about the significance of these books, and a wish list of ten items I would like to add to the collection in the future.
At the end of September, I will be traveling to the Library of Congress to accept the award. Getting a chance to see one of the country’s most hallowed libraries, and seeing some of their rare book collection, is an opportunity I am eagerly anticipating.
This press release from the ABAA has a complete list of winners, along with our essays and bibliographies: https://www.abaa.org/articles/ncbcc-2026-winners
Andrew J. Bramlett 