Born in England, Edward Ripley-Duggan began in the book trade in 1975. He ran a general antiquarian shop for six years, before starting a catalogue-based rare book business. For over 25 years subsequently he specialized in typographically distinguished books of all periods; illustrated books of the 18th to 20th centuries, with an emphasis on French and English artist books; and bookbinding as an art form.
He has been a member of the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America for over 35 years, and has published over forty rare book catalogues. He has supplied material to many major institutional and private collections, with offerings such as a perfect Second Folio of Shakespeare; major collections of livres d’artiste; private press books and modern designer bindings; Eadweard Muybridge’s famously rare photographic album of Central America; and countless other books of exceptional quality.
He was editor in 1989 of the publication Book Arts Collections, a scholarly survey of fine printing and illustrated books in American institutions, and has written articles on various aspects of books and book collecting. He also co-organized two major colloquia for book collectors at The Grolier Club (one with the late Stephen Jay Gould as keynote speaker).