Ella Hall Joins William Reese Company Ahead of Company’s Move to New York City

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Ella Hall Joins William Reese Company Ahead of Company’s Move to New York City and the New York Antiquarian Book Fair

Highlights on the Reese Stand at the Fair Include Important Maps from the Dietrich American Foundation New York

March 2025 — William Reese Company is pleased to announce Ella Hall has joined the company as Senior Specialist, an appointment that comes at a defining moment in the company’s history. As Reese prepares to relocate from its long-term home in New Haven to New York City this summer, Hall joins one of the most respected Americana departments in the rare book trade, bringing dynamic vision and deep expertise to an already storied legacy.

Hall joins William Reese Company following nearly fifteen years of distinguished work with books and manuscripts, most notably during her long tenure at Sotheby’s in New York. After earning her BA in American history and photography from Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, she began her career working with David Redden in Sotheby’s Special Projects department before advancing as a specialist within the Books & Manuscripts division.

In her new role, Hall will focus on expanding Reese’s reach into areas she has long championed, including women’s history, social and cultural history, literature, photography, and archives, building upon the firm’s established strengths. In addition, she will head the company’s appraisal services, preparing USPAP compliant appraisals.

“It’s an exciting moment to join William Reese Company,” Hall said. “My intention is to further develop Reese’s distinguished tradition by broadening our engagement with diverse historical narratives.”

In addition to her high-profile auction work, Hall has completed multiple courses at Rare Book School and is pursuing a master’s degree at Hunter College. Hall’s appointment continues Reese’s evolution in recent years under the joint ownership of Peter Harrington and James Cummins Bookseller, building on the company’s respected legacy while bringing renewed momentum and a fresh direction to the team.

“Ella’s exceptional industry insight, rigorous scholarship, and proven skill in high-stakes appraisals and sales make her a welcome asset to our team,” says Pom Harrington. “Her deep understanding of Americana and the broader rare book market positions her perfectly to drive Reese’s continued growth at a strategic moment of transition to New York.”

Ella Hall will be on the William Reese Company stand at next week’s New York International Antiquarian Book Fair (NYIABF) and looks forward to connecting with collectors, curators, and colleagues throughout the event.

Reese’s New York Antiquarian Book Fair Highlights Include:

• Important maps from the Dietrich American Foundation collection. Including maps by Samuel de Champlain, Lewis Evans, John Smith, Bernard Romans, as well as an important American Revolution manuscript plan of the American defences on the East River.

• The first book from Benjamin Franklin’s Philadelphia press Sewel, William. The History of the Rise, Increase, and Progress of the Christian People Called Quakers...Philadelphia: Samuel Keimer and Benjamin Franklin, 1728. $20,000

• Among the first books published in the New World Veracruz, Alonso de la. Recognitio Summularum Reverendi Patris Illdephonsi a Vera Cruce Augustiniani Artium. Mexico City: Juan Pablos, 1554. $300,000.

• Historic naval commissions from the career of Oliver Hazard Perry, signed by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison [Perry, Oliver Hazard]; [Jefferson, Thomas]; [Madison, James]. Four Engraved Naval Commissions for Oliver Hazard Perry. Washington, 1807–1813. $35,000

William Reese Company New York Fair Highlights Catalogue (PDF) View the full William Reese Company Fair List (HTML)