Who are we?

We're Baltimore book collectors who have been meeting since 1954 and share what author Nicholas Basbanes described as a "gentle madness." Our personal collections run from Alice in Wonderland to Baltimore history, Thomas Hardy to romance novels, Native Americans to books about books. Some of our members collect based on highly specific interests, others whatever catches their fancy, and yet others do both! Some collections are small, others number in the thousands. Some members have published collections, others are just starting out. Collections range from rare and historic material to paperbacks and ephemera. Many of our members have other connections to the book world as well as writers, publishers, librarians, and booksellers. What unites us is a love of books and all things bookish. All are welcome!

What do we do?

We meet online most months for talks by collectors, curators, librarians, authors, and others on various bookish topics. We have at least one formal dinner each year with a notable speaker and to conduct business. Sprinkled throughout the year are occasional in person events and field trips to museums, bookstores, and libraries as well as meals where discussions of books abound. Plus, as we're a part of the Fellowship of American Bibliophilic Societies (FABS) you will get access to an even wider range of book-mad friends and fun.

Our newsletter, The Literary Miscellany, will let you know about events around the region and the book world generally.