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 worn items from the women's suffrage movement, as well as from the female led social reform movement for temperance, and early women's political campaigns for office. The worn items of this collection originally served to identify suffragettes at rallies and while canvassing. Rather than the emblematic, but far more numerous suffrage buttons, this collection shows a keen focus on the more unusual representations of suffrage. It includes items that are extremely rare today because they were either very fragile or made to be disgarded, such as a delicate porcelain handbell embellished with the “Votes for Women” motto, or a paper cup from the 1... [more CA Book Fair Preview]

Many ABAA members are exhibiting at the New York Antiquarian Book Fair (March 8-11, 2018) -- after all, it is the largest rare-book fair in the US! -- and are publishing catalogs of the fantastic items they will be bringing. We shall list these catalogs below as they are announced. (Please note, several members are publishing multiple catalogs and lists for the event!) Athena Rare Books Booth D-19 Boreas Fine Art Booth A-11 David Brass Rare Books Booth E-28 Bromer Booksellers Booth E-33 Buddenbrooks (Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4) (Part 5) (Part 6) (Part 7) (Part 8) (Part 9) (Part 10) (Part 11) (Part 12) (Part 13) (Part 14) Booth C-20 James Cummins Booksellers Booth A-3 Eclectibles Booth B-8 Donald A. Heald Booth C-1 Jonathan A. Hill, Bookseller (Western List) (Asian List) Booth B-15 Kaaterskill Books Booth D-6 The Lawbook Exchange (Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) Booth B-12 Michael Laird Rare Books Booth C-30 Liber Antiquus Early Books & Manuscripts Booth E-7 Ken Lopez Bokseller Booth C-13 Jeffrey D. Mancevice, Inc. Booth E-22 Phillip J. Pirages Fine Books & Manuscripts Booth E-1 B & L Rootenberg Rare Books & Manuscripts Booth D-13 Sanctuary Books Booth B-2 Abby Schoolman Books Booth A-32 Triolet Rare Books Booth D-31 [more 2018 New York Book Fair: Catalogs]

The New York Antiquarian Book Fair celebrates its 58th year in 2018. From March 8-11, 2018 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 International 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. “The best book fair in the world.” – Andy Rooney 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. New York Antiquarian Book Fair When: Thursday, March 8 (5-9pm) — Preview Night! Friday, March 9 (noon-8pm) Saturday, March 10 (noon-7pm) Sunday, March 11 (noon-5pm) Events: Discovery Day, Sunday (1pm-3pm) Bring a treasure to be evaluated by our experts! Free with paid admission to the Fair. Tickets: Preview Pass (Good for the weekend) — $60 (includes one re-admission daily) Daily Admission: $25 Students: $10 (with valid ID) Run of Show: $45 (Student and Run of Show tickets onl... [more New York Antiquarian Book Fair 2018]

Even if you cannot attend the 51st annual California International Antiquarian Book Fair in Pasadena this weekend (Feb. 9-11, 2018), you can still virtually peruse the booths of some ABAA members through these catalogs of the rare books and ephemera they will be exhibiting in Pasadena. Contact the dealer directly if something catches your eye! Athena Rare Books Booth 218 -- also presenting 50 books from their Women Philosophers catalog at the fair. Biblioctopus Booth 105 David Brass Rare Books Booth 519 Churchill Book Collector Booth 205 James Cummins Bookseller Booth 425 Eclectibles Booth 524 Golden Legend Booth 723 Donald A. Heald Booth 124 Honey & Wax Booksellers Booth 403 Kaaterskill Books Booth 510 Michael Laid Rare Books Booth 311 Jeffrey D. Mancevice Booth 413 Phillip J. Pirages Fine Books & Manuscripts Booth 703 B&L Rootenberg - Rare Books & Manuscripts Booth 317 Abby Schoolman Books Booth 316 Michael R. Thompson Books Booth 423 John Windle Antiquarian Bookseller Booth 396 Stay tuned, as this page will be updated until the event begins... [more California Book Fair - Catalogs]

Pardon the pun, but the 51st California International Antiquarian Book Fair is going to be a monster event! Not only are about 200 rare book dealers from around the world bringing the cream of their respective crops to Pasadena, but it's also the 200th anniversary of the publication of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, and there's going to be a huge exhibit to celebrate the classic book. From the organizers: From February 9-11, 2018, Southern California hosts the nation's largest rare book exhibition as thousands of book lovers, booksellers, and scholars converge at the 51st California International Antiquarian Book Fair. The 2018 Book Fair also celebrates the 200th anniversary of the publication of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus with a special exhibit spotlighting holdings from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, Occidental College Library's Ned Guymon Mystery and Detective Fiction Collection, University of California Riverside Library's Eaton Collection of Science Fiction & Fantasy, and Sara Karloff, the daughter of Boris Karloff. Recognized as one of the world's pre-eminent exhibitions of antiquarian books, this eagerly anticipated bi-annual fair gives visitors the opportunity to see, learn about and purchase the finest in rare books, manuscripts, autographs, graphics, photographs and more. Featuring over 200 booksellers from the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America (ABAA) and International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB), ... [more California Book Fair 2018]

It's time for another batch of rare books and print ephemera that our members will be bringing to the 51st California International Antiquarian Book Fair in Pasadena, CA next weekend. (You'll find the first batch here...) Stoker, Bram, DRACULA'S GUEST AND OTHER WEIRD STORIES London, George Routledge & Sons, 1914. First edition. 12mo. 200pp. With "First Published in 1914" on the copyright page. Publisher's linen-textured red cloth blocked in blind on the spine and upper board, and with a gilt spine title. We note some foxing on the edges of the textblock, a tiny spot on the upper board, and oiffset on the free endpapers where the dustwrapper ended. Otherwise this is a very nice copy. Neat ownership name on the front pastedown dated July, 1914. In scarce, full color dustwrapper with art by Handforth. The dustwrapper bears the "2/- net" sticker on the spine and so is second state. There is a trace of roughness along the edges but it is in near fine condition.'Dracula's Guest' is a previously unpublished episode from an early draft of Dracula and is published here with eight other stories by Stoker. (Offered by Thorn Books) Pynchon, Thomas. Gravity's Rainbow New York: The Viking Press, (1973). First edition. 760 pp. Price of $15.00 on front flap of jacket. Nominated for the 1973 Nebula Award for Best Novel and winner of the National Book Award in 1974. Just about Fine in a like dust jacket that is bright, unfaded, and clean. A beautiful copy of Pynchon's masterpiece, a landmark w... [more 2018 California Book Fair Preview (Part 2)]

ABAA members will be exhibiting any number of rare and highly sought-after items at the 51st annual California International Antiquarian Book Fair (Feb. 9-11, 2018) in Pasadena, CA next month. Here is a small sampling to whet the appetite. Ward, Lynd. Signed block print from Gods' Man , . An original print from Ward's first and most famous wordless novel. Printed from the original woodblock on Japanese paper, the image measures 10 cm x 13 cm. Signed in pencil by Ward under the image in the right corner, with "Gods' Man" printed in pencil opposite. Fine. (Offered by Ken Sanders Rare Books) The Best Edition of the Poetical and Prose Works of Shelley, in a Superb Cosway-Style Binding by Bayntun (Rivière) SHELLEY, Percy Bysshe. The Poetical Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley. Edited by Harry Buxton Forman. In Four Volumes. London: Reeves and Turner, 1876-1877. SHELLEY, Percy Bysshe. The Prose Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley. Edited by Harry Buxton Forman. In Four Volumes. London: Reeves and Turner, 1880. First edition edited by H. Buxton Forman. Together eight octavo volumes (8 7/16 x 5 3/8 inches; 214 x 136 mm.). Frontispieces and plates. Uniformly bound by Bayntun (Rivière) of Bath (stamp-signed in gilt on front turn-in) in mid twentieth-century dark brown crushed levant morocco. Covers with gilt triple fillet border, spines decoratively ruled and lettered in gilt in compartments with five raised bands, board edges with gilt-dotted rule, gilt inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, all ... [more 2018 California Book Fair: Preview (Part 1)]

2018 marks the 200th anniversary of the publication of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. The novel remains a staple on high school reading lists, while Hollywood versions of this timeless tale have made Frankenstein an icon of modern culture. To mark this literary milestone, the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America is hosting a special exhibit and panel discussion about the enduring legacy of Frankenstein during the 51st California International Antiquarian Book Fair in Pasadena. Those in attendance will have the opportunity to view a true first edition of Frankenstein alongside reinterpretations of the work, which will be on loan from Occidental College and the University of California, Riverside. In anticipation of this event, here are a few things about the novel you might not know: Frankenstein is the name of the scientist, not the monster. Victor Frankenstein created the monster, who is referred to as "creature," "it," and "demon" in Mary Shelley's novel. She never gave the monster a name. There is no Igor, or any hunchback assistant at all, in Mary Shelley's novel. In fact, Dr. Frankenstein preferred to work alone. Mary Shelley was not listed as the author when the first edition was published in 1818. She was just 20 years old when the novel was published and a woman! She was not listed as the author until a new version appeared in 1831. In fact, many people at the time believed it was written by her husband, the poet Percy Shelley. Frankenstein is widely consider... [more Five Things You Might Not Know About Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein]

Inaugural Kenneth Karmiole Endowed Lecture on the History of the Book Trade in California and the West Anton Roman: San Francisco's Pioneering Bookseller & Publisher by John Crichton, proprietor of the Brick Row Book Shop in San Francisco and twice past president of the Book Club of California. Monday, October 30, 2017, 6pm Please RSVP to programs@bccbooks.org The Kenneth Karmiole Endowed Lecture on the History of the Book Trade in California and the West was created in 2016 to focus on the book trade — printing, publishing, and bookselling — over the past two centuries. Kenneth Karmiole is a philantrophist and antiquaraian bookseller. He has been a member of the Book Club of California since 1976 and is currently serving on its board of directors. The Book Club of California said, “Mr. Karmiole's leadership and vision are inspiring. His initiative, and in particular his generous endowment — the first of its kind for this institution — will significantly bolster the Book Club of California's ongoing efforts to engage high-profile speakers and scholars whose research and writing enlarge our understanding of the history of the book and book culture in the West.” For more information please see the Book Club of California. [more John Crichton gives Inaugural Karmiole Lecture at Book Club of California Oct. 30, 2017]

The 40th annual Colorado Antiquarian Book Seminar will be held this year July 16 to July 21, at Colorado College in Colorado Springs. Our keynote speaker this year is Kevin Young, the author of ten books of poetry, including Book of Hours, winner of the Lenore Marshall Poetry Prize from the Academy of American Poets and a finalist for the Kingsley Tufts Award; Ardency: A Chronicle of the Amistad Rebels, winner of a 2012 American Book Award; and Jelly Roll: A Blues, a finalist for the National Book Award. He is currently Director of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture at New York Public Library, and was recently named Poetry Editor of the New Yorker magazine. Our specialty dealer this year is ABAA bookseller, Heather O'Donnell, formerly of Bauman Rare Books and now proprietor of Honey & Wax Booksellers in Brooklyn, specializing in literary classics and curiosities, and a past graduate of CABS. More than a dozen scholarships are available this year: please see http://www.bookseminars.com/scholarships.php for more information. Of particular note this year is an addition to the faculty, the consummate collector and political activist, Lisa Baskin. Other returning faculty members include: Terry Belanger, founder of Rare Book School and a 2005 MacArthur Fellow; Brian Cassidy, ABAA bookseller and specialist in most things contemporary; Lorne Bair, ABAA bookseller specializing in labor history and social movements; Maria Lin, Chief, IT and Photography Departments, Rulo... [more 40th Annual Colorado Antiquarian Book Seminar]