Encouraging young collectors of color

The David Ruggles Prize was established in 2021 to encourage and support young book collectors of color. The three prizes—$1,000 grand prize, $500 second prize, and $250 third prize—will be awarded annually to applicants whose collections are deemed most outstanding by our fantastic panel of judges.

We take an expansive view of the book—not just the familiar hardcovers and paperbacks, but zines, comic books, contemporary book art, whatever book means to you. Take a look at the complete application guidelines.

The prize honors the legacy of David Ruggles, an early American abolitionist, publisher, and Underground Railroad conductor. The New York grocery store he opened in 1828 soon became the country’s first Black-owned bookstore.