Skip to content
Contact Us

ILAB Medal to Sally Burdon for exceptional service to the League

13 November 2024
At the Amsterdam ILAB Congress on October 17, 2024, past ILAB President Sally Burdon was awarded the “ILAB Medal”.
Sally Burdon ILAB Medal with frame

Inspired by tradition, ILAB decided in 2011 to create an "ILAB Medal." It was designed and crafted by the French firm FIA Graveur and was awarded after its introduction to individuals who had rendered exceptional service to the League, including Patrons of Honour and members of the ILAB Breslauer Prize Jury. One side of the medal features the enamelled ILAB logo, “Amor Librorum Nos Unit”, with the following inscription engraved on the back: "In recognition of services rendered to the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers."

This is only the third time the medal has been awarded since its introduction in 2011; the earlier recipients of the medal have been Jim Hinck of Via Libri and the long standing secretary of ILAB Nevine Marchiset.

The ILAB Committee felt it fitting to award Sally Burdon the medal for her exceptional service to ILAB and the rare book trade, after a decade on the ILAB Committee, including 4 1/2 years as ILAB President over two terms, as well as her dedication to the wider bookselling community.

Sally Burdon led numerous initiatives, many of which will have a lasting impact, such as partnerships with institutions, collaborations with law enforcement, and the rebuilding of our security database.
She also managed challenging circumstances, including the loss of both the previous ILAB Secretary, Nevine Marchiset, and past ILAB Treasurer, Rob Shepherd, both of whom passed away during her tenure and are deeply missed.

Many ILAB booksellers will remember the highly successful campaigns for the rare book trade during World Book & Copyright Day in 2015 and 2016 and the international ABEBooks protest in November 2018. Navigating through the COVID pandemic in 2020/2021 presented unforeseen challenges.

Sally Burdon initiated the idea of holding ILAB symposia, which were successfully held in New York and Oxford during her presidency and remain valuable trade events that continue to benefit our community.

Sally Burdon has been a reliable colleague, committed member, and advisor to the ILAB Committee on the many issues facing ILAB. After over 10 years on the ILAB Committee in various positions, she has now stepped down and she is already missed on the committee.