About Us
A world-class destination for discerning collectors
Dan Whitmore
Founder & President
A Pasadena native, Dan has a JD from the University of Pennsylvania. In 2009 he departed the prestigious law firm O’Melveny & Myers to enter the rare book trade, founding Whitmore Rare Books. Drawing on his experience as a private collector, his training at the Colorado Antiquarian Book Seminar (CABS), and his deep commitment to research-driven accuracy and business integrity, Dan built a shop that draws together exceptional first editions of important literary works. Over more than a decade, his leadership has established Whitmore Rare Books as a world-class destination where collectors can find high-spots ranging from incunables printed by William Caxton, cornerstones of the English canon such as Shakespeare Folios, groundbreaking science including Darwin’s On the Origin of Species, unique manuscripts such as Jack Kerouac’s early letters to family and friends, and even record-breaking and in-demand modern books like Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Dan has been featured as a specialist in publications including: The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Forbes, and The Guardian. He is a proud member of the Grolier Club, one of the oldest and most prestigious book collecting clubs in the world.
Expertise: antiquarian books, literary first editions, children’s literature, signed and inscribed materials, fine bindings and library sets, private collection building
Contact Dan at: dan@WhitmoreRareBooks.com
Javier Ortega
Specialist
Javier began his career in rare books as an archival assistant at the Ella Strong Denison Library in Claremont, California while pursuing his bachelor’s degree in English. He entered the book trade in 2019 as a cataloguer at Michael R. Thompson Rare Books in Los Angeles, where he also assisted in appraising collections of rare books and manuscript material. In the fall of 2024, Javier joined the Whitmore Rare Books team as a specialist. Javier is an Associate Member of the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America and serves as a Director of the Southern California chapter. He is also a member of the Zamorano Club, Southern California’s oldest bibliophile organization, and has been profiled in the Bright Young Booksellers column in Fine Books & Collections.
Expertise: Women’s studies, LGBTQ history, abolition, history of education, modern book arts
Contact Javier at: Javier@WhitmoreRareBooks.com
Joel Chandler
Joel completed an undergraduate degree in History at Queen Mary, University of London before working in the book department at Bonhams in Knightsbridge for two years. He spent four years as a specialist cataloguer and valuer at Dominic Winter Auctioneers in Cirencester, UK before joining Whitmore Rare Books in the winter of 2025. Joel has particular expertise in British and American literary first editions, books on travel and exploration, and first editions in English of major foreign language works.
Expertise: Modern first editions, 19th century English and American literature, travel and exploration, signed and inscribed material, first editions in the English language
Contact Joel at: joel@WhitmoreRareBooks.com