ABAA members have issued the following catalogs of the material they will be exhibiting at the New York Antiquarian Book Fair this weekend (March 9-12, 2017) at the Park Avenue Armory. Note: This list is being constantly updated. Check back frequently in the days before the fair for the latest catalog additions! Athena Rare Books Booth E24 Lorne Bair Rare Books Booth E18 F.A. Bernett Booth B18 -- direct download .pdf David Brass Rare Books Booth C10 Buddenbrooks Booth C23 Andrew Cahan Bookseller Booth D19 James Cummins Bookseller Booth A1 L.W. Currey, Inc. and John W. Knott Jr., Bookseller offer David H. Rajchel Arkham House Archive Booth A5 Donald A. Heald Rare Books Booth C1 Jonathan A. Hill, Bookseller Booth B15 Jeff Hirsch Books Booth B23 Kaaterskill Books Booth B11 Eric Chaim Kline Booth A14 Michael Laird Rare Books Booth A33a The Lawbook Exchange, Ltd. Booth C22 Part I: 54 Items on Display at the 2017 New York Antiquarian Book Fair Part II: 54 Items on Display at the 2017 New YorkAntiquarian Book Fair Part III: Pamphlets and Ephemera on Display at the 2017 New York Antiquarian Book Fair, 50 Items Liber Antiquus Booth A10 Lux Mentis Booksellers Booth E5 Jeffrey D. Mancevice Booth C12 Bruce McKittrick Rare Books Booth A20 Musinsky Rare Books Booth D4 B&L Rootenberg Rare Books & Manuscripts Booth B19 Sanctuary Books Booth B3 Abby Schoolman Books Booth A36 Triolet Rare Books Booth D30 For more details about the 2017 New York Antiquarian Bok Fair visit www.nyantiquarianbookf... [more New York Book Fair Catalogs]
Book Fairs
More than 120 dealers from around the world rendevous every fall at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston's Back Bay to display their latest acquisitions to collectors. 2016 will see the 40th annual book fair in Boston, taking place over the weekend of October 28-30. Here are some selected highlights of the items ABAA members will be taking to the Boston Book Fair this year. A full-page document (see attached) signed by Thomas Cushing, submitted to the Senate and House of Representatives of the state of Massachusetts, dated Oct. 2, 1783, stating that when the British troops were in possession of Boston in the year 1775, he suffered the loss of “the greatest and most valuable part of his household furniture while he was attending his duty at Congress and his family were (sic) drove out of the Town of Boston, destitute of any furniture.” This letter was submitted to Congress as a request for compensation regarding losses incurred during the British occupation of Boston. (Offered by Old Editions Book Shop) Moore, Clement C., The Night Before Christmas or A Visit of St. Nicholas. New York: McLoughlin Brothers, 1888. First Edition. Near fine in heavy paper, printed wraps over a sewn binding. A quarto measuring 12 by 10 inches with minor rubbing to the fore corners of the front cover. Without a dust jacket. Unpaginated, but containing 18 pages counting the interior sides of the covers. Illustrated throughout with color chromolithographs by an unknown artist. An extremely clean ... [more Boston Book Fair: Featured Items!]
Yes, Boston is a great city with many great book shops, but is its book fair a must-see event? Well, the short answer is "Hell, Yes!" But you'll need more convincing than mere enthusiasm, so here are ten powerful reasons to attend the 2016 Boston Book Fair, ten ways in which it will probably make you a better-informed collector. 1. Meet 100s of Rare Book Experts Sure, there wll be more than 120 rare book dealers from the US and abroad exhibiting at this year's book fair, but they are not the only rare book experts in the room. Each dealer brings 2-3 staff, all experts in their particular areas, so that means at least 300 bona fide rare book experts on the dealer side of the tables alone. But many of the attendees are also extremely knowledgable as well. They have lifetimes of experience working in rare book libraries and archives, researching historical biography through primary sources, or developing collections in obscure but fascinating areas. The people you share an elevator with probably have years of experience and knowledge, have probably viewed, handled, or owned a great many rare books, and are likely only too happy to discuss rare books and collecting with both seasoned collectors and enthusiastic beginners. Rare Book Fairs are about far more than acquiring certain books or ephemera; they are about building relationships with dealers, getting to know other collectors, and gaining knowledge and perspective that will enrich and inform your collecting for years to come... [more Ten Reasons to Attend the Boston Book Fair]
ABAA members are participating in UNESCO's World Book and Copyright Day (April 23, 2016) by organizing several "Pop-Up" Book Fairs around the country. The Pop-Up Books Fairs are organized by the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers, the parent organization of the ABAA. From the ILAB: What do a film star, the children in South Sudan, and 1,800 booksellers on 5 continents have in common? They are some of the essential components of a worldwide series of events to create a more literate world. On 23 April 2016, the members of the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB) will celebrate UNESCO's World Book and Copyright Day with a series of spectacular and extraordinary bookish events -- for 24 hours, one after another around the world. Last year and for the very first time, ILAB booksellers decided to think global and act local on 23 April 2015 by holding ILAB Pop Up Fairs -- book presentations, lectures, exhibitions, performances, appraisals -- within their local communities and coordinating their efforts under ILAB's roof. The worldwide celebrations held at most busy and sometimes really unexpected places like Giant Ferris wheels, cabarets and clubs made a global impact. The ILAB booksellers raised well over 10,000 Euros, which bought 1,930 books and 500 pens and paper for the South Sudanese children – delivered by UNESCO's Forest Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative. In 2016 the ILAB booksellers will do this again… and they will do even more! ... [more ABAA Pop Up Book Fairs]
The 56th Annual New York Antiquarian Book Fair returned to the Park Avenue Armory from April 7-April 10, 2016. From April 7-10, 2016 book lovers will find a fascinating treasure trove at the Park Avenue Armory. Over 200 American and international dealers will exhibit at The ABAA New York Antiquarian Book Fair, bringing a vast selection of rare books, maps, manuscripts, illuminated manuscripts and ephemera. The diversity of specialties includes art, medicine, literature, photography, autographs, first editions, Americana, and much more. This book fair is officially sanctioned by the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America and the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers. This means that the consumer can rely upon the experience and professionalism of participating dealers and the authenticity of the items available for purchase. Simply stated, all books, manuscripts and related material have been carefully examined for completeness and bibliographic accuracy. Preview: Thurs, April 7, 5pm-9pm Fri, Apr 8, noon-8pm Sat, Apr 9, noon-7pm Sun, Apr 10, noon-5pm Tickets are available for purchase in advance or at the door. (Preview Ticket: $50, Run-of-Show: $40, Daily: $25) Discovery Day Sunday, April 10, 1pm-3pm Featured Items A few of the items ABAA members will be exhibiting at the 2016 New York Antiquarian Book Fair: Drawings, Jean-Michel Basquiat NY/Zurich: Edition Bischofberger and Boone, 1985. #757 of 1000cc Signed by Basquiat on the verso of the title page. Ver... [more 56th Annual New York Antiquarian Book Fair]
ABAA members will be bringing their best items to the 56th annual New York Antiquarian Book Fair during the second week of April, 2016. Below, we have a few highlights from our members (in no particular order): exceedingly rare books, unique records, and one-of-a-kind ephemera to give a brief flavor of the treasures that await discovery in New York. Members submitted so many featured items that we've had to split the list into two parts. This is part two, click here to view the first batch of featured items... William Blake, “The Ancient of Days” (Europe, pl. 1). Relief and white-line etching, 1794, printed in blue ink, probably in 1794 by Blake, image and platemark 23.4 x 16.8 cm. on a leaf of wove paper 24.4 x 17.7 cm. Mounted in a window cut into a backing leaf, pen and ink framing lines on the mount which is also inscribed in pencil by an unknown hand, “From Europe, Frontispiece.” Designated as copy D of “The Ancient of Days” in BB pp. 109, 339 (no. 100), 340 (no. F1). Provenance: Possibly inherited from Blake by his wife Catherine in 1827; possibly acquired by Frederick Tatham upon Catherine Blake's death in 1831; acquired “about 1853” (BB p. 337) by George A. Smith and mounted and bound by him with other works by Blake, including the “Order” of the Songs of Innocence and of Experience; the vol. sold by Smith, Christie's, 1 April 1880, #168 (66 to the dealer Bernard Quaritch); possibly sold, or more probably lent, by Quaritch to the facsimilists Will... [more Featured Items: New York Book Fair (Part 2)]
More than 200 rare book dealers, including many ABAA members, from around the world are preparing to exhibit at the California International Antiquarian Book Fair in Pasadena, CA over the weekend of February 12-14, 2016. Below, we present -- in no particular order -- a selection of featured items that ABAA members are bringing to California. Carroll, Lewis (Dodgson, Charles). Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. London: William Heinemann & New York: Doubleday, Page & Co., 1907. Illustrated by Arthur Rackham. First trade edition. Signed by Rackham with an original pen and ink drawing of a winged Gryphon and dated 23.3.08 on the half-title page. Original publisher's cloth, housed in a gilt-decorated custom brown half-morocco fleece-lined folding box. The deluxe limited issue of Rackham's "Alice" was not signed by Rackham because he was traveling at the time of the book's publication. (Offered by B. & B. Rare Books, Ltd.) Bain, R. Nisbet (Guild of Women Binders) RUSSIAN FAIRY TALES London, 1893, Lawrence and Bullen. Bound by the Guild of Women Binders. An exceptional example of the Guild's embossed bindings. (Offered by Green Gate Farm Antiquarian Books) Morris, William. The Tale of King Florus and the Fair Jehane Hammersmith: Pr. by William Morris at the Kelmscott Press, 1893. 12mo (15 cm, 5.9"). , 96, pp. Lovely example of a Kelmscott small-format press production: the first of a series of four medieval French romances both translated and printed by Morris, this one about the lov... [more Featured Items: CA Book Fair]
There are many rare book fairs of varying size taking place around the country in January and February. Whether you are a beginning collector of an old hand, book fairs are a great opportunity to inspect the offerings of a great many dealers, hunt for elusive books and ephemera, and meet like-minded bibliophiles. Papermania Plus Antique Paper Show When: Saturday January 9, 10am-5pm and Sunday January 10, 10am-4pm Where: Hartford, CT Info: http://papermaniaplus.com/ Note: Free Appraisal Day (Sunday, 11am-2pm) “Bring in an item related to the context of the show and we will be glad to have one of our many exhibitors assist you with finding out about your 'treasure'!” Greater Los Angeles Postcard and Paper Show When: Saturday January 9, 10am-5pm and Sunday January 10, 10am-4pm Where: Glendale, CA Info: http://www.postcardshows.com/Glendale.php Austin Book, Paper and Photo Show When: Friday, January 15, 6pm-9pm and Saturday, January 16, 10am-5pm Where: Austin, TX Info: http://www.texasbooksellers.org/austin-book-paper-photo-show Paper Town: The January Vintage Paper, Book & Advertising Collectibles Show When: January 23, 9am-3pm Where: Boxborough, MA Info: http://www.flamingoeventz.com/show-calendar/24-boxborough-paper-town-the-original-vintage-paper-book-advertising-collectibles-show-ii.html Note: “Antiques Appraisals 12-2pm by John Bruno, Star of Market Warriors” San Francisco Book, Print and Paper Fair When: Friday February 5, 11am-7pm and Saturday February 6, 10am-5pm... [more Upcoming Antiquarian Book Fairs]
Randall House Rare Books is pleased and proud to have successfully completed negotiations for the sale of two unpublished Charlotte Brontë manuscripts to the Brontë Society in England. The discovery of the manuscripts is called “extraordinary” by Brontë expert Dr. Juliet Barker who went on to say "It's so unusual to get unpublished manuscripts in this day and age. To find an unpublished one like this - that we had no knowledge of its existence - is extraordinary." Dr. Barker wrote the seminal history of the Brontë Family. She has further stated that there is no question about the authenticity of the material. The manuscripts and other autograph material are in a book that belonged to Charlotte's mother, Maria, titled “The Remains of Henry Kirke White” by Robert Southey. The boat carrying Maria's belongings, including this book, prior to her marriage to Patrick Brontë, suffered a shipwreck but were recovered. On an inside page in the book there is a Latin inscription, in Patrick Brontë's handwriting “the book of my dearest wife and it was saved from the waves. So then it will always be preserved.” The manuscripts consist of a short story fragment and a poem. The short story is set in 1833 and written in the pseudonym of “Lord Charles Wellesley” one of Charlotte's favourite male alter egos. The writing is, according to Dr. Barker “a satirical take on life in Haworth .” The poem is set in the fantasy world created by the Brontë children, including her ... [more Unpublished Brontë Manuscripts Brought to Light]
The 2015 Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair takes place at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, MA, over the weekend of November 13-15. Many ABAA members will be exhibiting. Here is a brief selection of the special items they're planning on bringing to Boston. Anicius Manlius Torquatus Severinus Boethius a.d.480-525 Small folio 11 ¼ x 7 inches. First illustrated edition. In this copy many of the seventy eight woodcuts have very nice original color, it is bound in full blind stamped calf over wooden boards. It is also rubicated throughout. (Offered by James Gray Bookseller) Cicarelli's rare treatise on the truffle, Opuscule sur les Truffes (1813). Ciccarelli believed he had identified the seed of the truffle and lays out a method for its propagation. Ciccarelli, Alfonso; . Opuscule sur les Truffes, trad. libre du Latin, d'Alphonse Ciccarellus, auteur du XVIe siècle ; avec des annotations sur le texte, et un préambule historique par Mr. P.-J. Amoreux. Montpellier: J.-G. Tournel,1813. Octavo, 180 pages. Pages uncut. Some light wear to wrapper edges, other wise very good. Rare. 9OCLC locates eight copies only, none in the US; not in Volbracht, Myko Libri) (Offered by Rabelais Fine Books on Food and Drink) LELAND, Charles F. (attributed to). ''F.A.T.'': HANDWRITTEN MANUSCRIPT OF WEEKLY HUMOR PERIODICAL WITH COLOR DRAWINGS. A total of 6 issues, 12 pages each, bound with original wrappers in cloth (4-1/2" x 7"). Handwritten in ink throughout, with many watercolor drawin... [more Featured Items: Boston Book Fair]