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Hunting for Rare Books in Cleveland

Professor and book collector, Ken Palko of Notre Dame College, will discuss some of the treasures he's found and present a short “field guide” to book collecting that can inform your own adventures.

Ken Palko is an associate professor at Notre Dame College where he has been teaching in the philosophy department since 1993. Professor Palko also serves as chair of the Arts & Humanities division and the colleges Honors program which he helped found in 2010.

Ken has been an avid book collector for over thirty-five years. His collection is eclectic and wide ranging, containing everything from 13th century illuminated manuscripts, to first editions of notable authors such as Mark Twain and Charles Dickens, to collectable children’s books. Books on art and architecture are strongly represented in the collection as well as what his wife describes as, “lots of pretty books.” That is to say fine leather bindings.

Ken developed his passion for and knowledge of collectable books working in antiquarian bookshops; remember those? For over ten years, Ken authored a column in the FABS (Fellowship of American Bibliophilic Societies) newsletter on books and book collecting. He has also given numerous talks on all aspects of books and book collecting over the years.

The title of his talk is “My Adventures Hunting for Rare Books in Cleveland.” Ken will recall and share stories of his most memorable “trophies” from his thirty-five-year book hunting expedition. Actual physical book “specimens” will be presented for the audiences’ edification. Additionally, he will present a short “field guide” to book collecting that can inform your own adventures.