About Us

We’re passionate about rare books, fine art, and photographs. We’re captivated by remarkable creations by writers, artists, photographers, editors, and designers; the extraordinary craftsmanship by printers, illustrators, and binders are sources of joy and wonder. We’re enthralled by the innovations by publishers and dealers; and the devotion of collectors and scholars to discover, document, and celebrate the works and creators they love.

Rob Zanger Rare Books is located amidst a serene pastoral setting in the Mid-Hudson Valley of New York State. We offer rare books, fine art (primarily works on paper), photographs, and antiques. Our commitment is to authentic presentation of the works we offer based on scrupulous research; with integrity and ethical conduct, and responsive, respectful and friendly service. We have zero tolerance for dissembling, shenanigans, or hornswoggling.

The books, artworks, photographs, and cabinet items shown here are a selection from our inventory.  We welcome Inquiries for particular books, artworks, or photographs you’re searching for, or for something similar to the works we’re offering.  Please use this email link  to communicate your interests or questions.

ROB ZANGER

Certain joys of collecting took hold of me as a kid growing up in South Brooklyn. As a single-digitarian in elementary school, I was thrilled by “Show & Tell”, and enchanted by participating in scavenger hunts during summer afternoons at day camp. For the past few decades I’ve collected rare books, works on paper, photographs, and a range of antique curious goods.  During the past twenty-plus years, my collecting was accompanied by part-time selling activities while I worked full-time in sales for a venerable manufacturer of nuts, chocolates, and fruit & nut bar products.  My motto was everything is better covered in chocolate.  Shifting focus from tastebuds to the worlds of aesthetics and discovery of abstruse information about artists, writers, photographers, etc., has been a magical transformation of my mini-universe. Naturally, my three cats have not acknowledged any change in my erudition.

Shawna Brickley-Rodgers

Hailing from a family of artists and musicians, Shawna discovered her passion for art history early on.  While a student she held posts at Harvard University’s Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, and in the conservation laboratory at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Captivated by the excitement and fast paced action of auction houses, she joined Skinner Auctions in Boston in 1997. Shawna relocated to Manhattan in 2000 to accept a position in the esteemed Prints & Drawings Department at Swann Galleries, where she served as a Senior Specialist for more than a decade, only leaving for the opportunity to head the Prints & Multiples Department at Bonhams Auctioneer’s American flagship salesroom on Madison Avenue, where she remained until joining Rob Zanger Rare Books in 2019. Throughout her career she has broadened her expertise in art scholarship and valuation; 25 years on she is highly experienced in the field of Works on Paper, specializing in Old Master through Modern prints and drawings. Shawna earned an BA from Wheaton College, Norton, Massachusetts, and an MA from Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, and was awarded her USPAP certification in the field of Fine Art from the Appraisers Association of America in 2013.

Flavia Destefanis

Originally from Italy, Flavia elected New York as her home after traveling the world with her family. She studied at Columbia University, earning a BA in Medieval & Renaissance Studies and an MA in Comparative Literature. She has been involved in publishing, communications, and marketing ever since. As VP of Public Affairs at Rizzoli Corporation she helped launch The Journal of Art and market its art publications and bookstores. She was Director of Marketing and Communications at the design firm Vignelli Associates and regularly consults with architects, designers, publishers, galleries, artists, and businesses on communications and marketing issues, with a specialty in web design, graphic & publication design, content development and implementation. Her passion for books, old and new, has led her back to the world of rare books. At RZRB Flavia wears many hats: researcher, photographer, cataloguer, graphic designer and orchestrator of  the website.