Founded in 1884, the Grolier Club is America’s oldest and largest society for bibliophiles and enthusiasts in the graphic arts.
Named for Jean Grolier (1489/90-1565), the Renaissance collector renowned for sharing his library with friends, the Club’s objective is to promote “the study, collecting, and appreciation of books and works on paper.” Our members are an international network of over eight hundred book and print collectors, antiquarian book dealers, librarians, designers, fine printers, binders, and other bibliophiles.
Anyone is welcome visit the Grolier Club's exhibitions, purchase its publications, attend its lectures and other public events, and apply to use its Library. Formal membership, however, is subject to certain rules and restrictions. The Grolier Club is a private bibliophile society, which means that candidates may not apply for membership, but must be nominated. Nominations are based on a candidate's personal and/or professional commitment to books, as demonstrated through outstanding activity as a collector, antiquarian book dealer, rare book librarian, or some other bookish pursuit.
Every year, the Grolier Club hosts a summer "New Members Collect" exhibition in our second floor gallery. This exhibition is an opportunity for anyone who was elected to membership in the previous year to showcase their personal collections, if they happen to collect.