The 56th California International Antiquarian Book Fair is returning to San Francisco next month. The fair, sponsored by the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America (ABAA), takes place February 9-11, 2024, at Pier 27 (cruise ship terminal). Widely recognized as one of the world's largest exhibitions of antiquarian books for sale, more than 100 exhibitors from around the world will present rare books, maps, illustrations, historical documents, and ephemera on a vast array of subjects and genres.

The fair boasts offerings in every conceivable genre including the first-ever catalog on the history of artificial intelligence (AI) from Novato book dealer and ABAA member Jeremy Norman. Part of this timely collection is an extremely rare, first edition pamphlet published in 1832 by Russian statistician and inventor Semyon Korsakov on what is believed to be one of the first machine-learning devices. Korsakov was a pioneer in the concept of “mechanized thought,” or artificial intelligence. The nearly 200-year-old AI print ephemera will be on exhibit and offered at the purchase price of $35,000.

This extremely rare first edition print ephemera depicts what is believed to be one of the first machine-learning devices in history. Published in 1832. Photo courtesy: Jeremy Norman & Co, Inc. (Booth 224)

Exhibitor’s specialties encompass art, science, medicine, literature, history, gastronomy, fashion, first editions, Americana, philosophy, children’s books and much more. As highlighted in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, rare books and other objects have increasingly captured the attention of young collectors seeking one-of-a-kind offerings at more accessible price points. Prices range from $100 to millions.

This year, the fair welcomes international exhibitors from nine countries including the UK, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany and The Netherlands. An impressive number of US exhibitors highlights the wealth of material available stateside.

One of the rare maps up for purchase is Augustus Chevalier's stunning large-scale 1911 map of San Francisco, the premier map of the city following the San Francisco Earthquake and one of the most impressive and beautiful urban plans in the history of American mapmaking. The purchase price is $45,000 from S.F. Bay Area-based ABAA-member, Neatline Antique Maps.

Augustus Chevalier's grand map of San Francisco measures 4 feet wide by 5 feet tall and is the premier map of the city following the Great Earthquake of 1906. Photo courtesy: Neatline Antique Maps (Booth 128)

Another extraordinary find is a piece of LGBTQ+ science fiction history offered on behalf of the Carr-Lichtman Estate from Oakland, California – the original cover art for Ursula K. Le Guin’s groundbreaking The Left Hand of Darkness. The novel was one of the first examinations of androgyny in science fiction and explored the effect of sex and gender on society. Mark Funke, Mill Valley book dealer and ABAA member, will exhibit the illustration art at the San Francisco fair. The purchase price is $20,000. (Read a recent Bay Area Reporter article on this artwork here...)

Leo and Diane Dillon's original cover illustration art for the first edition of Ursula Le Guin’s The Left Hand of Darkness. Photo courtesy: Mark Funke, Bookseller (Booth 237)

“This is one of the most important events in the country for rare book enthusiasts, and we are thrilled to return to San Francisco after enjoying nearly a decade of success in Oakland,” says Julie Roper, Director of the 56th California International Antiquarian Book Fair. “Post-pandemic, we are seeing resurgent demand for in-person fairs, where a global community of the top dealers offers the most sought-after collections of books, maps, illustrations, and ephemera. The experience of attending in person is like no other – it’s a real-life treasure hunt.”

The Book Fair takes place from February 9-11, 2024. A full list of exhibitors can be found here...

Fair Hours:

Friday, February 9, 2024 • 5pm to 8pm 
Saturday, February 10, 2024 • noon to 7pm
Sunday, February 11, 2024 • noon to 5pm 

Free attendee parking available during fair hours at Pier 27 on a first come, first served basis.

A schedule of seminars at the fair can be found here...

Tickets

Tickets may be purchased in advance here or at the door...

FREE admission for students with current valid student ID. Children 12 and under are free.

FREE admission for librarians, curators, and related non-profit cultural institution workers who register in advance with a valid organizational email address (e.g. email@institution.edu or email@institution.org). 

--By receiving complimentary admission for this event, registrants agree to receive emails regarding future events. Registrants can unsubscribe at any time.

Learn more about the 56th California International Antiquarian Book Fair here...