Rare Book Monthly

Articles - August - 2021 Issue

Helen R. Kahn has Retired

Helen R. Kahn, retired.  Image by Sheila Markham

Helen R. Kahn, retired. Image by Sheila Markham

A few months ago Helen R. Kahn sold her stock of rare books, maps and manuscripts to Patrick McGahern Books.  The news arrived in an email mentioning that the Kahn stock is now offered by the McGaherns.  Helen used to be an AE member and we used to review her catalogues.  The last one we reviewed was in 2012.

 

Over the years I called her occasionally for perspective.  Dealers, for many years, had mixed feelings about a growing rare book database that quantified rarity and probability of reappearance.  She was very kind to me even as Transactions+ was becoming an everyday reality for those in the embrace of collectible printed history.

 

To double check the announcement I emailed and she responded –  “I had come to the conclusion that the past forty-plus years [as a book dealer] had been good to me, and that I had handled some wonderful books and met some wonderful people, and that it was now time to sit back and relax.”

 

One of the great advantages of the rare book business has long been there’s no requirement to retire.  Many older dealers remain active deep into their later years but at some point it’s time to step away. 

 


Posted On: 2021-08-01 11:12
User Name: dmlesser

Helen is a lovely person and a knowledgeable, honest, and fun bookseller. Her retirement is a loss to the trade. I will miss her presence at book fairs. David Lesser


Posted On: 2021-08-03 03:09
User Name: mairin

Thank you, Bruce, for a lovely piece on an inspiring & dedicated individual.
All best for Helen Kahn. - Maureen E. Mulvihill, Collector / RBH Guest Writer.


Rare Book Monthly

  • Rare Book Hub is now mobile-friendly!
  • Sotheby's
    Bibliothèque Jacques Dauchez - Autour de Dubuffet
    5-19 June
    Sotheby’s, June 5-19: Bissière, Roger. Cantique à notre frère soleil de saint François. 1954. 1,000 - 1,500 EUR
    Sotheby’s, June 5-19: Céline, Louis-Ferdinand. La vie & l’œuvre de Philippe Ignace Semmelweis. 1924. Rare édition originale, avec envoi. Joint : La Quinine en thérapeutique, 1925. 4,000 - 6,000 EUR
    Sotheby’s, June 5-19: Céline, Louis-Ferdinand. Mort à crédit. 1936. Édition originale. Bel exemplaire sur Hollande. 2,500 - 3,500 EUR
    Sotheby's
    Bibliothèque Jacques Dauchez - Autour de Dubuffet
    5-19 June
    Sotheby’s, June 5-19: Chillida, Eduardo ─ Emil Cioran. Face aux instants. 1985. Un des 100 exemplaires sur Arches. Eau-forte signée. 600 - 800 EUR
    Sotheby’s, June 5-19: Dubuffet, Jean. Ler dla canpane. L’Art Brut, 1948. Édition originale. 3,000 - 5,000 EUR
    Sotheby’s, June 5-19: Dubuffet, Jean. L'Herne Jean Dubuffet. 1973. Un des 100 exemplaires du tirage de luxe avec une sérigraphie originale en couleurs. 1,000 - 1,500 EUR

Article Search

Archived Articles