A Conversation with NYIABF Ambassador Connor Holloway

Connor Holloway is a dancer, reader, writer, producer, and content creator. Connor moved to New York City in 2013 to dance with American Ballet Theatre, where they met Isabella Boylston and later launched the Webby-nominated Ballerina Book Club, in partnership with ALL ARTS in 2020.

Connor is returning as an Ambassador for the 66th Annual ABAA New York International Antiquarian Book Fair, joining a dynamic group of passionate collectors, influencers, and industry leaders who are shaping the conversation around collecting, preservation, and the cultural importance of historical materials. Ahead of the fair, we had the opportunity to ask them a few questions.

Collection & Inspiration

What do you collect? What is the most remarkable or unusual item in your collection, and how did it come into your hands?

Like an old lady who lives in Connecticut, I collect Royal Copenhagen Danish porcelain. I have a very special place in my heart for Denmark and therefore love to litter my cupboards with those blue fluted dishes. I have a set of extra delicate teacups and matching saucers from the '70s that I inherited from my late Grandmother that I frequently drink my morning coffee out of.

If you could own any antiquarian book, manuscript or artifact in the world, what would it be, and why?

Lately, I’ve been into reading scripts and screenplays and I’m not sure if this is even a thing, but I think acquiring an actor’s copy would be amazing. Imagine how amazing Kate Winslet’s marked up script from something like Titanic would be. Or even Heath Ledger from a movie like The Dark Knight, or who am I kidding, 10 Things I Hate About You.

Which past or present figure in the literary world do you most admire?

Sylvia Plath, always.

Is there a historic library, archive or reading room anywhere in the world that has left a lasting impression on you?

The library from Beauty and the Beast, definitely.

Lifestyle

Which books or manuscripts are you currently researching or working with?

I’m currently working on the play “Mercury Fur” by Philip Ridley. So I’ve been diving deep into that lately. It’s post-apocalyptic, dystopian, dark and pretty disturbing. And for as insane as it is, it doesn’t feel totally distant from our current geo-political landscape.

Advice

What’s the first step you’d recommend to someone starting an antiquarian collection?

Collect things that spark joy! Future you will be happy to have it.