Online Bibliographical Tools for the Antiquarian Book Trade. Their History, Use and Impact

Abstract

The present article examines the most important commercial database and metasearch websites used in the antiquarian book trade by dealers, customers, scholars, and institutions. Storing and listing data on millions of books (sold or still on offer), these specialized websites help create a truly international market by enabling specialists to search for titles and copies that would otherwise be untraceable and or too far dispersed. The purpose of the present article is to describe when the most important commercial databases in the antiquarian book trade were founded, how they work, and the frequency and purposes of their use. It is the first thorough and independent analysis of this field ever undertaken.