Ian Brabner Bookseller in the News

Historical Antecedents of Our First African American President

We are pleased to be mentioned in the April 6th, 2012 "Art & Design" section of The New York Times within the article "Album Might Have a Presidential Tie" by Eve Kahn.

Recently, we acquired, researched, and then identified within a nineteenth century photograph album a carte-de-visite photographic portrait of Anna Wolfley.

Anna Wolfey (who later in life became Anna "Addie" Butts) was President Barack Obama’s Great-Great-Great Aunt, the daughter of Robert and Rachel Abbott Wolfley of Olathe, Kansas, Mr. Obama's Great-Great-Great Grandparents. The photograph of Anna Wolfley is strikingly reminiscent of President Obama.

The full story of this interesting discovery will be presented along with the album and showcased in our booth (D-07) at the 52nd Annual Antiquarian Bookseller's Association New York Antiquarian Book Fair from April 12 to April 15, 2012.