The New York Antiquarian Book Fair returns to the Park Avenue Armory March 9-12 for the 57th installment of this annual fiesta of rare books, historical documents, and all kinds of print ephemera. Below you'll find a few highlights from among the many fascinating and rare items that ABAA members will be exhibiting at the show. Contact the dealer referenced for more information. An Outstanding Album of Italian Political Cartoons Thirty-Two Magnificent Hand-Colored Lithographs by Antonio Manganaro. MANGANARO, Antonio. L'Esposizione Marittima Visitata da Dante e Virgilio. Allegoria di A. Manganaro. . Folio (18 11/16 x 12 3/8 inches; 475 x 314 mm.). Hand colored lithograph pictorial title-page and thirty-one magnificent hand colored lithograph plates including the final "Chiusura" plate showing Dante holding hands with the 'skeletal' Virgil. All plates mounted on stubs. Contemporary quarter green calf over green pebbled cloth boards. Covers decoratively ruled in blind, front cover with "Manganaro / L'Esposizione Marittima" stamped in gilt. Spine with five raised bands, lettered in gilt in compartments, marbled end-papers. Spine ends expertly and invisibly restored. This is an outstanding and fascinating record in thirty-two hand-colored lithographs of the political figures of Italy in the 1860's. The majority of the plates feature the figures of Dante and the 'skeletal' Virgil surrounded by various members of the Italian Bureaucracy. In some way the beautifully hand colored illus... [more Featured Items: New York Book Fair]

"Celebrating the Mark Samuels Lasner Collection: Rare Books and Manuscripts, Victorian Literature and Art" Symposium at the University of Delaware Library Newark, DE March 17-18, 2017 On March 17 and 18, 2017 the University of Delaware will host a two-day symposium, "Celebrating the Mark Samuels Lasner Collection: Rare Books and Manuscripts, Victorian Literature and Art." The keynote speaker will be Elaine Showalter, Professor Emerita of English, Princeton University, and additional speakers will include Mark Dimunation (Library of Congress), Barbara Heritage (Rare Book School, University of Virginia), Edward Maggs (Maggs Bros. Ltd., London), Joseph Bristow (UCLA), Linda K. Hughes (Texas Christian University), Margaretta S. Frederick (Delaware Art Museum), William S. Peterson (Emeritus, University of Maryland), David Taylor (UK historian and author), and Margaret D. Stetz (University of Delaware). The symposium is free and open to the public, but registration in advance is requested. More information, including online registration, will be available at https://library.udel.edu/msl-symposium-2017/ The symposium is being held in conjunction with the exhibition "Victorian Passions: Stories from the Mark Samuels Lasner Collection," curated by Margaret D. Stetz, University of Delaware, on view in the Special Collections Gallery, UD Library, from February 14-June 3, 2017. The Mark Samuels Lasner Collection focuses on British literature and art of the period 1850 to 1900, with an em... [more Symposium: Celebrating the Mark Samuels Lasner Collection]

“The best book fair in the world.” – Andy Rooney What's got over 200 rare book dealers from around the world, signed books by Martin Luther King, Jr., a pointe shoe worn by Anna Pavlova, and a cache of correspondence by Alexander Hamilton? The 57th New York Antiquarian Book Fair, which return to the Park Avenue Armory over the weekend of March 9-12, 2017, that's what! The largest rare book fair in North America is back, and bigger than ever. Where: Park Avenue Armory 643 Park Avenue NY, NY 10065 When: Thursday, March 9 (Preview) 5-9pm Friday, March 10 noon-8pm Saturday, March 11 noon-7pm Sunday, March 12 noon-5pm Note: Discovery Day takes place on Sunday, from 1pm-3pm. Tickets: Preview pass: $50 Daily admission: $25 Run of show: $40 Students: $10 Tickets available here... Discovery Day A favorite tradition, Discovery Day allows ticketed visitors the opportunity to bring their own rare books, manuscripts, maps, etc. in for evaluation. Expert appraisers will be on hand to offer advice. Featured Items While there are too many stunning items to list, here are a few early highlights: Hamilton Correspondence A unique collection of original letters, documents and imprints relating to the life and times of Alexander Hamilton, the orphan immigrant founding father who fought for independence, founded our financial system, and fostered a government capable of surviving internal factions and foreign foes — as well as inspiring the hit musical! View the catalog of this collection.... [more Ready for the New York Antiquarian Book Fair?]

This item is still missing as of 5/31/2019. The following book has been reported as missing in transit through USPS. It is a unique item, because of the artwork and description, and could easily be distinguished from other copies of the book. For additional information, or if you believe you have been offered the book, please contact Rowan Dordick (bybooksalone@aol.com). Jackson, Chevalier. The Life of Chevalier Jackson: An Autobiography. With an Original, inscribed Print By Jackson Tipped in at Front.. New York: Macmillan, 1938. Second Printing. Original Cloth. Near Fine / Very Good. Tipped onto stub of front flyleaf (the rest of which has been removed) an original print by Jackson signed in pencil "Mother" and "Chevalier Jackson" and "Aunt Sue to Howard." Inscribed on dedication leaf: "Greetings/to/Howard/and his Family/from the folks/at the Old Mill/Chevalier Jackson." Dust jacket with slight wear at spine ends. [more Missing In Transit: Chevalier Jackson Autobiography]

Regarded as one of the world's largest and most prestigious exhibitions of antiquarian books, the California International Antiquarian Book Fair gives visitors the opportunity to see, learn about, and purchase the finest in rare and valuable books, manuscripts, autographs, illustrations, vintage photographs, and much more. Preview some of the most-unusual, rarest, and most-beautiful rare books and other items that members of the ABAA will be exhibiting at the fair below. The fair tales place in Oakland, CA over the weekend of February 10-12, 2017, and, as always, all items are subject to prior sale! Hillerman, Tony. The Blessing Way. NY, Harper & Row, 1970, first edition. This is the ultimate copy of Author's First Book, it is an Inscribed Presentation/Association Copy of the highest order, inscribed by Hillerman to Navajo artist Ernest Franklin who went on to create a cottage industry wherein he illustrated many of Hillerman's titles in an after-market situation where individuals brought him copies of Hillerman's books for Franklin to illustrate, the vast majority of such books include just one illustration by Franklin, this one has 30 (!) illustrations by Franklin in addition to Hillerman's doubly signed inscription ("with my thanks to/Ernie Franklin/for showing me/what Leaphorn/looks like/TH"), the inscription is on the title page, Hillerman has additionally signed his full name under his printed signature on the title page, Joe Leaphorn is the Navajo tribal policeman crea... [more 50th CA Book Fair: Featured Items]

Three books were stolen from Amber Unicorn in mid-December 2016, and have recently been offered for sale in New York. If you believe you have been offered the items below, please contact: Myrna Donato, Amber Unicorn Books amberunicorn2@embarqmail.com (702) 648-9303 Descriptions of the items: An African Holiday by Sutton, Robert L. C.V. Mosby Company, St. Louis, Mo, 1924. HC, blue Cloth, Gilt Stamped. Book Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Good,. Pictorial Covers. First Edition. Signed on bfep.180pp. Photo illustrated, heavy stock gloss paper. Condition DJ: Chips and rips, old sticker removed taking part of DJ picture. Size: 8vo 8 3/4 x 6. Signed by Author. Hardback. $150.00 Thirty-One Years on the Plains and in the Mountains by Drannan, William F. Capt. Rhodes & McClure, Chicago, 1900. HC, Dark Green Cloth Silver Gt. Book Condition: Very Good Plus. First Edition, First State. 586pp , drawings, photos. Condition: Head/tail/tips light wear & bumps. Po stamp ft paste down, 1.50 on ffep in ink. Size: Sm8vo 7 1/2 x 5 1/4. Hardback. $ 135.00 Official Catalog of the Graphic Works of Salvador Dali by Field, Albert Salvador Dali Archives, New York, 1996. HC, Black Boards. Book Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine (Mylar) First Edition. 278pp. Black and white and color photos throughout. 3 laid in pieces= Errata slip. Instructions titled "How to use the catalog" and a business card from the Dali Gallery. Size: 4to 11 x 8-1/2. Hardback. $549.00 [more Three Stolen Books Offered in NY]

Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton is a phenomenon, even by the standards of hit Broadway musicals; people who have no hope of getting their paws on a ticket until sometime next year are obsessively listening to the cast recording and watching videos compulsively on YouTube. If the subject matter was anthropomorphic felines or an alternative take on a classic children's book we wouldn't blink an eye, but Miranda's remarkable success is built on the comparatively dry history of the founding fathers that most people day-dreamed their way through in high school. Looking through the items listed by ABAA members, we find many rare books and documents signed or written by the actual people dramatized in the musical. While you're waiting for more tickets to be made available, check out some of these amazing first editions, fine-press reprints, and even some original documents signed or written by or about Alexander Hamilton, Lafayette, James Madison, Aaron Burr, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington. The Federalist: A Collection of Essays BURR: "Alexander joins forces with James Madison and John Jay to write a series of essays defending the new United States Constitution, entitled The Federalist Papers. The plan was to write a total of twenty-five essays. In the end, they wrote eighty-five essays, in the span of six months. John Jay got sick after writing five. James Madison wrote twenty-nine. Hamilton wrote the other fifty-one!" -- lyrics from "Non-Stop" (Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hamilton:... [more Collecting Alexander Hamilton]

Book Collecting in the United States: A 21st-Century View of Our Collectors, Our Research Libraries, and Our Booksellers While the antiquarian book community is very small worldwide, it has been in the United States, the tiniest of them all, until very recently. Among all the cultures around the world who have written and read manuscripts and printed books in their variety of forms, North American literacy and book production occurred centuries if not millennia after those of predecessors like the Chinese, Greek, Hebrew and Mesopotamian, Indian, Mexican and Central America peoples. 1 As our many settlers came to North America and found homes, books were often left behind, either in the “old country” or before an arduous journey across the land. A bible, sacred book, or a family memento might accompany the traveler, but not a heavy, cumbersome library. Also, in early America, libraries and bookshops were few and far between. Overall, books remained a very minor part of life in this country until the end of the 19th century, when printing technology made the book widely available and accessible due to machine-set type, machine-rolled paper, and a perfected method of binding. As a result, we Americans as a whole have little knowledge of old books or printing history. Until recently, there was only a small group of serious book collectors in America. These collectors acquired antiquarian books and manuscripts, especially on the subjects such as travel and exploration of Ameri... [more Book Collecting in the United States (Part 1)]

When you pick up a book to read, do you also pick up a pencil, ready to mark up the margins with your thoughts and ideas? If so, your written additions are part of a body of writings called marginalia. For many readers, scribbling on the pages of books is a beloved, recreational practice. For others, it's more of a necessity. Whether they are humorous jots and tittles, lessons learned from the story, or more serious notes of textual analysis, marginalia are simply fascinating. System of Chemistry, 5 vols. by THOMSON, T - ASSOCIATION COPY WITH THOMAS COOPER'S NOTES AND DRAWINGS Edinburgh: Bell & Bradfute, 1807. Third Edition.. Full contemporary calf.. Good; bindings broken on all volumes; library bookplates in all volumes; otherwise quite clean and bright throughout.. 8vo, Four printed plates. The J K Mitchell, John Redman, Thomas Cooper copy. Accompanied by hundreds of pages of Cooper's original marginalia and notes with his original ink wash drawings of chemical set-ups and apparatus. The set is signed in volume 1 on a blank portion of the title: "Thomas Cooper, Northumberland ". Below that is the inscription: "Bought by J K Mitchell from Redman" - J K Mitchell has signed all the title pages of the set. What is unique about this set is that Cooper has annotated every volume with his notes and commentary. In addition he has added four original ink wash drawings to the endsheets that illustrate his coal gas apparatus, Accum's hydro-pneumatic table (Cooper eventually edited the... [more In Defense of Marginalia]

At a time when some brick and mortar antiquarian bookstores are closing their doors in favor of an internet-only presence, Matthew and Adrienne Raptis, of Raptis Rare Books, have gone against the grain and recently opened a rare bookstore on Worth Avenue in Palm Beach. Worth Avenue, like Madison Avenue or Rodeo Drive, is synonymous with luxury brands and caters to an island that is home to the rich and famous, including the new President-elect, Donald Trump. Raptis Rare Books had previously operated mainly as a catalog and online business out of a beautiful Italianate villa in Vermont, but Matthew Raptis wanted to have more interaction with his customers and allow people to come into greater contact with “these wonderful written works of art.” The new gallery opened on November 1, but the grand-opening is being held until January 2017, when the holiday rush is past. "We've had an outstanding initial reception to the store,” Matthew commented. “People love the idea of something new and different on the Avenue and when they walk in they often talk about their love of the smell of old books and how a particular book touched their lives. Holding a rare book is like holding a bit of history in your hands.” Almost all of the books in the Raptis Rare Books inventory are first editions and many of them are signed or inscribed by the author. Matthew and Adrienne refer to the new store as a gallery because "like fine art, in a way it is like stepping into a museum." Unlike a ... [more Raptis Rare Books Moves to Palm Beach, Florida]