Alexander Gilkes

My father discovered that our family had made long-case clocks in Warwickshire in the early 18th century. He managed to track down a fine example through an English antiquarian and horologist and gifted it to me for my 30th birthday.

British Businessman

Michael Dirda

With the possible exception of steampunk aficionados, many reasonable people must view my fascination with Victorian and Edwardian popular fiction - mysteries, fantasy, and adventure - as eccentric or merely antiquarian.

American Critic

William Boyd

I know many older writers who were very successful and whose books are now out of print, so you have to go to antiquarian booksellers to buy their fifth or eighth novel or whatever it is.

British Novelist

David Shields

The novel is an artifact, which is why antiquarians cling to it so fervently.

American Author

An antiquarian has dedicated interest in historical objects beyond common antique enthusiasts.

Passion for Past

The word can imply a profession or hobby, so context indicates if it's a career or personal interest.

Profession or Hobby

Antiquarians often possess specialized knowledge about particular historical periods or item types.

Expert Knowledge

Antiquarian describes unique items, often found in specialized stores, not general second-hand venues.

Specialized Shops

Items described as 'antiquarian' often have documented histories or are culturally significant.

Historical Significance

Just because something is old, doesn't automatically make it 'antiquarian'; condition and rarity are factors.

Not Just Old

 a kind of gentleman's club populated mainly by antiquarians, literary men and the nobility. The members of the philosophical breakfast club helped form a number of new scientific societies, including the British Association. These new societies required

Laura Snyder: The...

 antiquarian, and physician Ole Worm. Ole Worm collected natural specimens, human skeletons, ancient runic texts, and artifacts from the New World. In other curiosity cabinets, you could find genetic anomalies,