About Us

Welcome to Arctic Rare Books!

We specialize in fine and rare books related to the Arctic, ranging from The Golden Age of Exploration to present day books by adventurers, policymakers, scientists. We also carry fine editions of Arctic-themed fiction and memoirs. Many of our books are signed first editions, and some are intriguing association copies. We only offer books in fine, or very good condition. We have tried to collect widely and are proud to feature female voices and the rarest of the rare, books by and about indigenous Arctic residents.

I am a longtime student of the Arctic who has taught and written about it (America in the Arctic, Columbia University Press 2025). I am a former foreign service officer and university professor who has also written about diplomacy (To the Secretary: Leaked Embassy Cables and America’s Foreign Policy Disconnect, Norton, 2016). My lifelong obsession with books led me to the Rare Book School and from there to CABS-Minnesota, where I am a recent graduate. Bob handles real and virtual infrastructure. We are aided/impeded by our vizsla, Cavall, who would (if only he could) create is his own subgenre of sled dog literature. He appears occasionally in the arts and crafts style workshop where the books are photographed, wrapped in Mylar, catalogued, and carefully wrapped on their journey to you.

We are an online establishment and aspire to create a curated and customer-oriented service. We understand that building a library or collection is a highly individual process and we are eager to engage with you. If you are looking for a particular book and can’t find it on our website, please let us know. We love to research, and if it is humanly possible we will find it for you. We are always interested in buying books that are in very good or fine condition.

We value your privacy and will never sell your personal information.

Although we are still aspiring members, we adhere to the professionalism and code of ethics of the Antiquarian Bookseller’s Association of America, the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers, and the Independent Online Booksellers Association.

Thanks for looking and enjoy!

Mary, Bob, and Cavall