Our Story

Morton Benjamin "Ben" Katz was born in Toronto, Canada, on November 21, 1954, to immigrant parents who had survived World War II in Russia and Holland. He had a lifelong love of literature and a propensity for carving out his own path. In 1999, he began exploring the world of rare books, visiting estate sales and local auctions, and selling his finds through his e-bay business, Ben Buys Books. 

What began as a hobby grew over time into an established business as Ben honed his deep knowledge of the field. By the mid-2000s Ben had developed a large network of trusted international sellers and prestigious buyers, ranging from private collectors to Ivy League universities. Through his passion, incredible work ethic, and dedication to antiquarian documents, Ben Buys Books evolved into M. Benjamin Katz Fine Books/Rare Manuscripts.

Ben dedicated his career to helping people access the material they needed to enhance their collections, and support academic enrichment for students across the globe. On September 14, 2018, Ben passed away suddenly and unexpectedly, leaving this business as his legacy.

It is with great pride that Ben's daughter, Jessica, and her partner, Kevin, continue Katz Fine Manuscripts in Ben's vision. While we have miles to go to gain the knowledge and insight into the business that Ben had developed, we are committed to following Ben's teachings as we grow our collection so that we may help you grow yours.