A further addition to our lineup of special events during the California Virtual Book Fair is a special panel on horology, timepieces, and the history of watchmaking with experts in the field. Thursday, March 4 at 11 am PST/2 pm EST. A Matter of Time -- in partnership with Vacheron Constantin Join knowledgeable panelists as they explore topics ranging from horology, timepieces, the artistry and history of watchmaking, rare books and archival materials. Vacheron Constantin will highlight Les Collectionneurs, its exceptional line of vintage watches. Sigrid Offenstein, Collections and Archives Manager at Vacheron Constantin, joined the company 7 years ago. She was previously a consultant and instructor on paper and electronic archiving questions. She has been able to lead various projects within the private and institutional sectors, ranging... [more Special Event: A Matter of Time]
The inaugural ABAA Virtual Book Fair has ended. You can browse a master list of catalogs issued by ABAA members here (updated weekly), browse the latest items listed on abaa.org on our new arrivals page, or search abaa.org... [more The Virtual Book Fair Has Finished]
The first ABAA Virtual Book Fair starts at 10am (EDT) on Thursday, June 4. Here are some preview items drawn from the rare books and print ephemera you'll find when the virtual doors open. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain London, Chatto & Windus, 1876. First English Edition, which preceded the American edition by six months. Bound in red cloth lettered and decorated in black and gilt. Housed in a custom red leather backed cloth clamshell. The River War, An Historical Account of the Reconquest of the Soudan by Winston Spencer Churchill First edition, first printing, two-volume set. The personal copy of Princess Alexandra of Wales before she became Queen Consort of the United Kingdom won the accession of her husband King Edward VII in 1901. The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck New York: The Viking Press, 1939. First edition. Uncl... [more Virtual Book Fair Preview]
Preview some of the exciting rare books and related items you'll find at the 60th annual New York International Antiquarian Book Fair. Wells, H G. THE FIRST MEN IN THE MOON Indianapolis: The Bowen-Merrill Company, . Octavo, pp. 1-312, twelve inserted plates with illustrations by E. Hering, title page printed in black and red, original pictorial cloth, front panel stamped in gold and blind, spine panel stamped in gold, rear panel stamped in blind. First edition, first binding with "Bowen / Merrill" at base of spine panel, variant with moon gold stamped and author and title gold stamped on front panel. Inscribed and signed on the half title page by Apollo 11 astronaut and first man to walk on the moon, Neil Armstrong. Preceded the British edition by approximately one month. The two editions have minor textual differences. "... a gripping ad... [more New York Book Fair Preview]
“Many of the books at the fair are not just limited editions, but truly one of a kind.” — New York Times The rare-book world descends on New York over the weekend of March 5-8, 2020 for the 60th New York International Antiquarian Book Fair at the Park Avenue Armory! The New York International Antiquarian Book Fair will feature over 200 exhibitors, carrying a vast treasure trove of rare and scarce material with them: rare books, maps, illuminated manuscripts, incunabula, fine bindings, illustrations, historical documents, rare prints and print ephemera, and so much more. The New York International Antiquarian Book Fair is sponsored by the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America and the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers. Special Events: Preview Night — Thursday, March 5, 5pm-9pm Be among the first to see what's... [more 2020 New York Book Fair]
Thousands of book lovers, booksellers, and scholars will converge in Southern California for the 53rd California International Antiquarian Book Fair over the weekend of February 7-9, 2020. One of the nation's largest exhibitions and sales of rare books, the 2020 California Book Fair celebrates the 100th anniversary of Women's Suffrage with a special exhibit -- Votes for Women -- documenting women's effort to secure political equality. Materials will be on display from the special collection libraries of The Claremont Colleges; University of Southern California; University of California, Los Angeles; California State University; Dominguez Hills; and the Los Angeles Public Library. Recognized as one of the world's pre-eminent exhibitions of antiquarian books, this eagerly anticipated annual fair gives visitors the opportunity to see, learn ... [more California Book Fair 2020]
The 53rd California International Antiquarian Book Fair takes place in Pasadena, California over the weekend of February 7-9, 2020. Here's is a little taste of the rare books and items of print ephemera ABAA members will be exhibiting at this year's Fair! Bradbury, Ray. The Martian Chronicles. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1950. First edition. 222pp. Octavo. Green cloth boards. Light sunning and wear, corners of jacket clipped. Leaf inscribed by Bradbury laid in. An excellent example of Bradbury's seminal future history detailing relations between human settlers and Martian natives. Offered by Ken Sanders Rare Books, booth #610. Women Organizing for Suffrage and Political Change: A Collection of Unusual, Ephemeral, and Delicate Pieces of Suffrage And Related Women's Social Reform Movements Large collection of 36 original memorabilia and wor... [more CA Book Fair Preview]
The ABAA admitted a number of full and associate members at the end of 2019. Please welcome these new members below: Full Members Alexander Akin, Bolerium Books (San Francisco, CA) Alexander Akin, the son of two labor activists, made his first international trip at the age of 15 to North Korea – an eye-opening visit that sparked an enduring interest in Asian history. He began part-time at Bolerium Books doing various tasks for store credit while finishing a Ph.D. in Chinese history. After a teaching stint, during which he discovered that academia pays even worse than the book trade, he returned to Bolerium full-time in 2011 and became a co-owner in 2013. Melding his academic interests with his activist background, he has expanded the bookstore's purview to include Asian language books and ephemera, while also cataloging materials relate... [more The Latest ABAA Members]
ABAA-member John Crichton of San Francisco's Brick Row Book Shop has loaned the oldest-known Christmas card to the Charles Dickens Museum in London for inclusion in their current exhibition “Beautiful Books: Dickens and the Business of Christmas.” The card, illustrated by John Calcott Horsley and designed and commissioned by Sir Henry Cole, was printed and mailed in 1843, making it the oldest known Christmas card. Crichton acquired the card in 2017, and interested parties should contact Brick Row Book Shop if they wish to own this piece of history. Charles Dickens, of course, was pivotal to the Christmas industry as we now know it! His celebrated story A Christmas Carol appeared the same year as this card, and was an instant success — so much so that another publisher was offering bootleg editions within the year! 1000 copies of the... [more The World’s Oldest Christmas Card on Display]
One of the oldest and most respected antiquarian book shows in the country, the 43rd Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair will be held November 15-17, 2019 at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston. Featuring the fascinating collections and rare treasures of more than 130 American and international booksellers, the event gives visitors the opportunity to see, learn about, and purchase the finest in rare and valuable books, illuminated manuscripts, autographs, political and historic documents, maps, atlases, photographs, fine and decorative prints, and much more. An alluring treasure trove awaits seasoned collectors as well as new visitors at an event that offers the top selection of items available on today's international literary market. Attendees have the unique chance to get a close look at rare and historic museum-quality items... [more Boston Book Fair 2019]