The ABAA New York International Antiquarian Book Fair returns to the iconic Park Avenue Armory in New York City from April 3-6, 2025, celebrating its 65th Edition. Below are some highlights from among the many rare items the more-than 200 exhibitors will be bringing to New York from all over the world. (Tickets are available at this link...) FIVE DOLLAR BILL POSE--RARE IN THIS FULL-PLATE SIZE One Of The Most Sought-After And Iconic Poses Of Lincoln IN A SIZE THAT COMMANDS ATTENTION (Lincoln Photograph) Berger, Anthony Oval Sepia Albumen Photograph, on original card mount . . Original oval decorative wooden frame. 8”x6” (sight); 16-3.8” x 14-1/2” (frame). A fine and rare full-plate original print of the famous “$5bill” pose (only lately retired during currency redesign), taken by Anthony Berger at Mathew Brady's Washington gallery on 9 Feb. 1864. Robert Todd Lincoln called this “the most satisfactory likeness”of his father. It is one of several poses Berger took that day including the beautiful portrait of Lincoln and his son Tad viewing a photo album; that same album is quite visible, sitting on a table at Lincoln's right. Lincoln's watch fob is unusually distinct, as are his cheek bones and famous mole.I nterestingly, Lincoln's barber had parted his hair on the right side, whereas it was usually seen parted on his left side. Also quite distinct is the famous “Brady Chair” of carved oak made by Bembe & Kimbel and one of 262 chairs commissioned for the US H... [more New York Book Fair: Highlights]
Book Fairs
The ABAA New York International Antiquarian Book Fair -- officially sanctioned by Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America (ABAA) and International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB) and produced and managed by Sanford L. Smith + Associates -- is set to return to the iconic Park Avenue Armory in New York City from April 3-6, 2025, celebrating its 65th Edition. The ABAA New York International Antiquarian Book Fair (NYIABF) stands as one of New York's cultural cornerstones, returning to the city as a must-see event of the Spring season. Known as the world's premier antiquarian book fair, this year's edition will showcase more than 200 exhibitors from across the globe and cementing its status as an internationally renowned event. With its unique blend of history, literature and art, the fair attracts a diverse mix of collectors, from seasoned bibliophiles and literary icons to new enthusiasts and young collectors eager to discover rare and accessible treasures. Prices for items at the fair range from modest finds starting at $50 to multimillion-dollar rarities. The 65th edition of the NYIABF will offer an impressive range of collectibles across various disciplines, including art, science, medicine, literature, history, gastronomy, fashion, first editions, Americana, philosophy, children's books and much more. Whether you're drawn to religious texts, historical manuscripts, groundbreaking scientific works, or rare illustrated editions, the fair's selection spans ever... [more New York Book Fair 2025]
2025 Bibliography Week Showcase Join us for an in-person Bibliography Week Showcase at the L'Alliance New York's Le SkyRoom on Wednesday, January 22nd from 10:30am-4pm. The Showcase features 31 dealers exhibiting printed and manuscript material from the Middle Ages to the present day. Admission is free! Browse exhibiting dealers below. Location: Le Skyroom L'Alliance New York (FIAF) 60th Street between Park and Madison, NYC (across from the Grolier Club) The Bibliography Week Showcase is hosted with the Bibliographical Society of America and the Grolier Club and is part of Bibliography Week 2025. 2025 Bibliography Week Exhibitor List (by alpha) Booth Number Exhibitor 14 Lorne Bair Rare Books 25 Brenner's Books - Rare & Collectable 11 Bull's Head Books 15 Capitol Hill Books 5 W. S. Cotter Rare Books 16a James Cummins Bookseller 18 De Simone Company Booksellers 13 Arthur Fournier Fine & Rare LLC 27 Rodger Friedman Rare Book Studio 3 mark funke, bookseller 17 Jonathan A. Hill, Bookseller Inc. 19 Honey & Wax Booksellers 9 John W. Knott, Jr, Bookseller 6 Michael Laird Rare Books LLC 7 Martayan Lan Rare Books, Maps and Prints 4 McBride Rare Books 2 Bruce McKittrick Rare Books 8 Musinsky Rare Books 1 Penka Rare Books and Archives 24 Phillip J. Pirages Fine Books & Manuscripts 16 William Reese Company 12 Riverrun Books & Manuscripts 20 Barry Lawrence Ruderman 23 Ken Sanders Rare Books 10 Tavistock Books 22 Triolet Rare Books 26 Type Punch Matrix 21 Ursus Books 28 Michael R. Weintraub... [more 2025 Bibliography Week Showcase]
We are sharing the difficult news that the 2025 ABAA California Book Fair has officially been cancelled. As of today, January 13, FEMA and the Red Cross have assumed responsibility for the operations of the Pasadena Convention Center for 30 days as an evacuation center for those displaced by the fires. All tickets purchased through Eventbrite will be refunded to the original payment method. We thank you for your understanding, and our hearts go out to all those affected by the disaster in Southern California. [more 2025 California Book Fair Cancelled]
Join the ABAA Gender Equity Initiative for a Networking Reception at this year's Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair. The reception will take place on Saturday, November 9, at 7 pm EST, in the Rochambeau's Left Bank Room (2nd floor). Stop by for a quick refreshment before your dinner plans. Saturday, November 9, at 7 pm EST Rochambeau The Left Bank Room (2nd floor) 900 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02115 [more Networking Reception]
The Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair (BIABF) has announced special events and programs at this year's fair; kicking off with an Opening Night celebration on Friday, November 8, from 4-8pm; and featuring in-person talks all weekend. With more than 100 rare book dealers from the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Italy, Netherlands, Serbia, the UK, and 19 U.S. states, an alluring treasure trove awaits seasoned bibliophiles and first-time attendees at the Fair. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8 4-8pm | Opening Night Get a first look at items for sale at this festive preview—an opportunity to browse the collections of U.S. and international dealers and to mingle with other bibliophiles, collectors, museum curators, and special collections librarians. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the event or online... Buy tickets here... SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9 12:00 pm | Boston Book Fair Tour Join Bibliographical Society of America (BSA) Executive Director Erin McGuirl for a walk-through of the fair, meeting BSA-member booksellers. This is your opportunity to learn about the book trade, best practices, and to get to know some of your fellow travelers and members of the book trade. Newcomers welcome, limited to 10 participants. Registration required... 1:00 pm | The Ticknor Society Collectors' Roundtable: Off the Beaten Track Many, if not most, collectors happily search among the mountain peaks, focusing on the high points in their chosen area. But some, for various reasons, venture off the we... [more Boston Book Fair Special Events]
The Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair (BIABF) celebrates its 46th year at the Hynes Convention Center in Downtown Boston, November 8-10, 2024. This three-day event welcomes the top international dealers offering the most sought-after collections of fine and rare books, maps, illustrations, and ephemera on the global market. In celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America (ABAA), a series of special events and programs will be presented in Boston. For more information, visit www.abaa.org/bostonbookfair... More than 100 rare book dealers from Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Italy, Netherlands, Serbia, the UK, and 19 U.S. states will exhibit an alluring treasure trove for seasoned bibliophiles and first-time attendees. Prices range from the millions to the eminently affordable. Whether immaculately preserved or intriguingly weathered, each item tells its own story. Booksellers hold a seemingly bottomless wealth of knowledge, both artistically and historically, about each item in their collections. A complete list of exhibitors can be found here... “We are thrilled to be capping off a year-long celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the ABAA in Boston,” says Julie Roper, CEO of Capricorn Event Management, LLC, who has managed the Boston Book Fair since 2015. “This milestone year marks a significant evolution of the organization, characterized by a shift in the diversity of its membership and the material it promotes. N... [more Boston Book Fair 2024]
The Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America (ABAA) is thrilled to announce a Virtual Book Fair on September 25-27, 2024 at abaa.org/vbf, as part of the celebrations marking its 75th anniversary. This special online event will bring together booksellers, collectors, and enthusiasts worldwide, offering an opportunity to explore and purchase rare and antiquarian books, manuscripts, ephemera, and more, all from the comfort of home. The Virtual Book Fair will feature an array of offerings from ABAA members, showcasing the diversity and richness of materials that define the antiquarian book trade. Participants will have the chance to browse exclusive collections, engage with sellers in real time to celebrate the ABAA's remarkable legacy and its contributions to the world of book collecting. View members exhibiting at the ABAA 75th Anniversary Virtual Book Fair... “We are excited to offer this Virtual Book Fair to connect with a global audience and celebrate our 75th anniversary,” says Susan Benne, Executive Director of the ABAA. “This event embodies our commitment to expanding access to the rare book world and fostering relationships among collectors, sellers, and institutions.” This Virtual Book Fair is one of many events commemorating the ABAA's 75 years of promoting ethical standards, professionalism, and education within the rare book trade. The ABAA has grown from its founding in 1949 to include over 400 members, each dedicated to preserving and promoting the r... [more ABAA 75th Anniversary Virtual Book Fair]
The Booksellers Documentary producers Dan Wechsler (Sanctuary Books), D.W. Young, and Judith Mizrachy recently premiered UNCROPPED, which rediscovers the work of James Hamilton, one of the great photographers of the cultural history of America. For over four decades working on staff at publications such as Harper's Bazaar, The New York Observer, and most notably, The Village Voice, Hamilton captured remarkable people and stories of the last half-century. Hamilton chronicled the punk and jazz music scene in 1970s and 80s New York City, creating iconic images of musicians like Charles Mingus, Patti Smith, and Lou Reed and taking intimate portraits of everyone from Akira Kurosawa and Jean-Luc Godard. He eventually broke off to do set photography for George Romero, Noah Baumbach, and Wes Anderson. He pursued controversial assignments across the U.S. and the world, which, at times, reveal its seedy underbelly. He never stopped amassing a stunning visual love letter to New York City in all its grit and glory. Hamilton's story and vast archive offer a singular window into the heyday of alternative print media. Taking its name from Hamiton's assertions that publications never cropped his images, Uncropped's filmmakers detail Hamilton's process and his uncanny ability to know the precise moment to unfold a vignette in just two colors. Among the most poignant works are his sympathetic photos of drug-addicted sex workers in pre-gentrified Williamsburg, a young Patti Smith with Tom Verl... [more Booksellers Documentary Producers Premiere UNCROPPED]
The ABAA New York International Antiquarian Book Fair returns to the Park Avenue Armory in New York City from April 4-7, 2024, for its 64th Edition. Here are some of the highlights that exhibitors will be offering at this year's Fair! Decorative Wood Panel with State Seal of Delaware. 7-1/2” x 10” x 1-1/2”; 2-1/2” metal connecting plate with screws on each side; dowl opening from top to bottom. Though in rough condition, it nonetheless carries emotional solemnity and significance as a witness to the Lincoln funeral journey, for it lay watch over Lincoln's coffin for the entire twenty days. Though a bit dulled, the panel still easily shows the seal for the State of Delaware; the panel must have aged gracefully, along with the car itself. The railroad coach that carried Lincoln's body from Washington to Springfield for twenty days in April 1865 was originally built as a private railroad car -- a “presidential coach”-- named The United States, for the use of the president and his cabinet. When the car was completed in early 1865, it had been more than a year in the making, and with its upholstered walls, wood paneling, decorative painted panels, and etched-glass windows, it was one of the most lavishly appointed railroad cars ever built. Its 16 broad-tread wheels could travel over nearly all gauge railroads, and its sides were ironclad, with armor-plating between the outer and inner walls. The car was 42.5 feet long and 8.5 feet wide and had a newly developed heating... [more New York Book Fair Highlights]