Priya Parmar is the author of the acclaimed novel Vanessa and Her Sister, which tells the story of the complicated relationship between the painter Vanessa Bell and her sister, the novelist Virginia Woolf. As her medium was visual art, Bell has been somewhat overshadowed by Woolf's vast legacy of novels, stories, and essays. Parmar's achievement is to bring Vanessa to vibrant life on the page, showing her to be the "linchpin" of the Bloomsbury set, possessed of an unexpectedly modern sensibility. We spoke with Parmar about her extensive research, which included moving to London to walk the same streets as the Stephens' sisters and access the various archives of Bell and Woolf's papers. ABAA: What piqued your interest in Vanessa Bell and the Bloomsbury group? Priya Parmar: I read a letter that Vanessa Bell wrote in 1905. Clive Bell had pro... [more Researching Vanessa Bell & Bloomsbury]

To mark UNESCO World Book and Copyright Day on April 23, 2015, the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (an organization that encompasses twenty national associations representing antiquarian booksellers who sell books, manuscripts, prints, and maps in thirty countries around the world, including the ABAA) is sponsoring a series of Pop-Up Book Fairs around the world to raise awareness of their belief that "reading is a fundamental human right" and to raise money to support UNESCO's South Sudan Project. (link?) Why April 23rd? 23 April is a symbolic date for world literature. It is on this date in 1616 that Cervantes, Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega all died. It is also the date of birth or death of other prominent authors around the world, such as Maurice Druon, Haldor K.Laxness, Vladimir Nabokov, Josep Pla and Manuel... [more ILAB Pop-Up Book Fairs]

The 55th annual New York Antiquarian Book Fair takes place in New York City from April 9 to 12, 2015. Many ABAA member dealers will be exhibiting. Here are a selection of their featured items that will be available at the fair. Urban, Sylvanus (ie. David, Henry), ed. THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE: AND HISTORICAL CHRONICLE. FOR THE YEAR MDCCLXXIV MDCCLXXXIII . London: Printed at St. John's Gate for D. Henry, 1774-1783. 120 issues plus 8 supplements as issued (no supplements issued in 1774 and 1783). Illus. with 164 engraved portraits, figures, maps, and plans (75 folding, 1 facsimile) plus numerous in text drawings. 8vo. Full modern brown calf, five raised bands, red morocco spine labels, gilt titles and rules, in period style. ($14,500) Offered by Kaaterskill Books (Booth B6) --- Bartolo of Sassoferrato . . . Collation: a10, b-z8, A-C8, D-E6. ... [more NY Antiquarian Book Fair: Featured Items]

The New York Antiquarian Book Fair will enthrall bibliophiles at the Park Avenue Armory from April 9 through 12, 2015. “The Best Book Fair in the World” This three-day event is one of the largest antiquarian book fairs in the United States, and draws over 200 rare book dealers from across the country and around the world. Sponsored by the Antiquarian Bookseller's Association of America and the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers, the event is the centerpiece of Rare Book Week, a “coordinated effort to focus attention on the antiquarian book fairs, book & manuscript auctions, rare book & fine art exhibits, and bookish browsing available in New York City from April 7-15,” according to Fine Books Magazine. Where: Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Avenue, NY, NY 10065 When: April 9 - 12, 2015 Friday: Noon-8pm Saturday: Noon-7pm... [more New York Antiquarian Book Fair 2015]

The Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America are pleased to announce the 2015 National Collegiate Book Collecting Contest! Established in 2005 by Fine Books & Collections Magazine to recognize outstanding book collecting efforts by college and university students, the contest aims to encourage young collectors to become accomplished bibliophiles. The magazine conducted the annual competition program for three years before turning over leadership to a collaboration of institutional partners (The Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America (ABAA), the Fellowship of American Bibliophilic Societies (FABS), and the Center for the Book and the Rare Books and Special Collections Division of the Library of Congress, with major support from the Jay I. Kislak Foundation. Competitions are held at more than three dozen colleges and univers... [more 2015 National Collegiate Book Collecting Contest]

Chris Bohjalian is the author of 17 books, including three historical novels, Skeletons at the Feast, The Light in the Ruins, and The Sandcastle Girls. He has received numerous awards for his fiction, as well as the ANCA Freedom Award for educating Americans about the Armenian Genocide. Rich Rennicks spoke with Chris Bohjalian about book collecting, his much-loved first edition of To Kill a Mockingbird, how his mother's passion for literature helped shape his later career as an author, the research behind his books, and how an unpublished WWII diary informed his first historical novel. ABAA: Do you think of yourself as a book collector? Chris Bohjalian: I love old books, but I wouldn't say I'm an old book collector. There are certain books that have been in my family since I was a boy and that matter to me greatly. To Kill a Mockingbird i... [more An Interview with Chris Bohjalian]

We round up interesting stories about the rare book world being discussed this week. Shakespeare's First Folios Go on Tour The Folger Shakespeare Library has anounced the cities that are getting a First Folio as part of their ambitious plan to put a copy of Shakespeare's First Folio on display in every state, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico, in 2016. Read more to discover where your nearest First Folio will be... Preview Rare Book Week Look forward to Rare Book Week (which includes the 55th Annual New York Antiquarian Book Fair) with this preview from Rare Book Magazine. ILAB to Mark World Book Day The International League of Antiquarian Booksellers are planning a series of Pop-Up Book Fairs around the world to mark UNESCO World Book Day on April 23. Many ABAA members are involved in the US events. Ephemera Society Annual Conference The ... [more Rare Book News]

The recent news that typeface designer Robert Green -- who produced a digitized version of the classic Doves Type in 2013 -- had recovered over 150 of the original lead punches from the River Thames has caught the imagination of literary and rare-book circles, and spurred many articles on the Doves Press and the visionary book binder and printer Thomas Cobden-Sanderson. What was the Doves Press? In 1900, recovering-lawyer-turned-bookbinder Thomas Cobden-Sanderson founded the Doves Press in partnership with entrepreneur Emery Walker. Both men were part of the Arts & Crafts Movement associated with William Morris, who had earlier founded the Kelmscott Press -- for which Cobden-Sanderson did the binding. While the Kelmscott Press sought to produce the most beautiful and ornate books, the Doves Press strove for elegance and clarity. (I suspec... [more The Doves Press Story]

The ABAA has recently approved several new members, all of whom have successfully proven themselves to be, in the words of the ABAA Guarantee "established, knowledgeable, and of excellent reputation." These new members were sponsored by existing members, and have undergone a rigorous screening process. We welcome the newest members of the ABAA. FULL MEMBERS: Sammy Blade Berk of Harlan J. Berk, Ltd. Sammy Berk is the head of the Harlan J. Berk, Ltd. Antique Map department. Harlan J. Berk, Ltd. is a family owned and operated business founded in 1964. Today we have a store front in the heart of downtown Chicago, with nearly 20 employees and specialize in a wide array of collectibles, including Ancient Coins, U.S. Coins and Currency, World Coins, Antiquities, Paintings, Antique Maps and Prints. Aside from becoming a new member of the ABAA and... [more New Members: February 2015]

Exhibiting booksellers at the 48th annual California International Antiquarian Book Fair have announced some unusual and notable items that will be for sale at the fair (being held at the Marriott Oakland City Center, Oakland, CA from February 6 to 8, 2015). Some of these special items include: Overdue Bar Tab Invoice for Jimi Hendrix, 1969 “Even the world's greatest rock guitarist can forget to pay his tab once in a while. Hendrix spent a Halloween evening at “The Scene” nightclub in New York in 1969, and apparently, skipped out on his tab. The invoice for $44.25 is from owner Steve Paul stating that “The Scene needs the money badly. Your beverage tab is Past Due.” Hopefully he left a tip!” (Schubertiade Music & Arts LLC, Booth 106, $1,200) The First English Sex Manual from 1684 “Entitled Aristotle's Masterpiece, although n... [more CA Book Fair 2015: Featured Items]