Antiquariaat Gaia was founded in 2021 by Anna Maartje de Boer and her mother Bea Boetje.
Anna Maartje grew up between books, as the daughter of renowned antiquarian bookseller Theo de Boer. She inherited his passion for books and for the history of the natural sciences. After his death in 2016, she is now restarting the family business and carrying on his legacy. At the same time, Anna Maartje is also pursuing a PhD in physical geography at Wageningen University & Research. Her deep interest in geography and geology, combined with the strong scientific focus of her father’s book collection, inspired the new company name: Antiquariaat Gaia.
In 2024 she graduated as a bookbinder from the Grafisch Lyceum Utrecht (Arts & Design college) after 2 years of vocational bookbinding eduction. Consecutively she gained knowledge and craftmanship on book restoration at a bookbinding atelier in Florence.
In her spare time, Anna Maartje likes to read books about the history of the written word, and about legendary scientists such as Ulisse Aldrovandi, Maria Sybilla Merian or Alexander von Humboldt.
By co-founding Antiquariaat Gaia with her daughter, Bea Boetje continues over three decades of close involvement in the bookselling business. She supported Theo as he built up his bookselling company, visiting book fairs across Europe from 1989 on. From 2000 to 2007 she was co-owner of the company. Today, she ensures the smooth running of Antiquariaat Gaia as a business, drawing on her extensive experience as a tax lawyer.
Bea shares her daughter’s passion for books and has a deep interest in history and politics. Her hobbies include hiking, gardening, and an impressive music collection ranging from classical to rock.
