Swann, Arthur, 1875-1959

Bookseller and auctioneer, Arthur Swann worked in Liverpool and Leeds before coming to New York City and joining the Anderson Auction Company, where he prepared catalogs for the book auctions. From 1913 he was associated with the American Art Association (AAA) and organized its rare book and manuscript department. Swann left AAA in 1927, and in 1929 it merged with Anderson Galleries. He served briefly as a vice-president of the Brick Row Book Shop (then in New York City) and from 1933 was vice-president of what became the Park-Bernet Galleries in New York City. During his long career, Swann prepared the auction catalogs for many signficant sales of rare books and manuscripts and set the standard for bibliographic description in such catalogs.

Bookseller and auctioneer, Arthur Swann worked in Liverpool and Leeds before coming to New York City and joining the Anderson Auction Company. From 1913 he was associated with the American Art Association (AAA), where he organized the rare book and manuscript department. After leaving AAA he served briefly as vice president of the Brick Row Book Shop. From 1933 Swann was a vice president of what became the Parke-Bernet Galleries. During his long career he prepared the auction catalogs for many significant sales of rare books and manuscripts in New York City.