Fontaneda Books

Fontaneda Books is named in honor of the now defunct Fontaneda Society, a book collectors group that was based at the Broward County Libraries in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for many years. The group took its name after that of Hernando de Escalante Fontaneda (c. 1536-after 1575), a Spaniard, who survived a shipwreck along the coast of what is now Florida. He lived with the native Indians for 17 years before being rescued. After his return he wrote his memoirs and this work is considered to be first book to describe Florida. An English translation of his work is available. Fontaneda Books was founded in 2011 by Nora J. Quinlan. Nora is a graduate of the Colorado Antiquarian Book Seminar and a recipient of the 2011 Faculty scholarship. She has worked in rare books and special collections at three institutions over a period of twenty years. Fontaneda Books specializes in the selling of antiquarian books, manuscripts, maps and prints. Fontaneda Books also can advise collectors and on how to dispose of their collections.