About Aardvark Rare Books:

Joshua Hirschstein, Owner. Member: IOBA, CBA

Aardvark Rare Books has a 30+ year history of being a trusted book-dealer on the internet and locally in Eugene, OR. Founded by ABAA-member Ezra "The Bookfinder" Tishman in 1995, Aardvark Books and Ezra built a national reputation as a pleasant, honest, forthright, and knowledgeable book finder, book buyer, book seller, and book appraiser.

Current owner Joshua Hirschstein, began his book career as a 16-year-old page in the Seattle Public Library. He graduated from Western Washington Univ. with English and Education degrees and credentials to teach secondary English and history. He had stints as an classroom teacher, and earned an M.A. in Writing Education at U.C. Berkeley, all the while working part-time in public and university libraries.

He married his sweetie, Maren Beck, in 1988, and they landed in Eugene, Oregon, where Joshua founded and operated Lane Tutoring Service for 32 years. The boys grew up...

Joshua met his neighbor, previous-owner Ezra, in 2020, and they shared an affection for tending their mini-farms just outside Eugene. Invited into the tombs of Ezra's extensive collection of books, both catalogued and uncatalogued, sparked the intrigue of Josh. With the tutoring world moving online, and the textile import business firmly in the hands of Maren, Joshua decided to return to his love of handling the printed word. He worked closely as an employee and mentee with Ezra, and extended his knowledge attending CABS (Colorado Antiquarian Book School) and joining the ABAA (Antiquarian Bookseller Association of America). In 2025, Joshua purchased the business from Ezra.

Joshua continues his friendship with Ezra, who continues to hone Joshua's "Fingerspitzengefühl" - that is, “the fingertip feeling” of a shelf of dusty, old books that senses those of intrigue and value.

Joshua may be reached at 541-683-3131, or office@aardvarkrarebooks.com.