A CELEBRATION OF THE PRINTED WORD – 46th California International Antiquarian Book Fair from 15th to 17th February 2013

The world’s largest rare book fair returns to San Francisco

Thousands of rare books and manuscripts from hundreds of booksellers, plus seminars and events for book lovers: The 46th California International Antiquarian Book Fair from 15th to 17th February 2013 is the largest antiquarian book fair in the world and will offer something exciting for every book lover and collector. Among the exhibited materials of over 200 American and international dealers, you can peruse and purchase rare items from medieval manuscripts to collectible editions of authors into the 21st century. There will be unusual books on travel and exploration (including maps), literature, the arts, science and medicine, children's books, law and commerce, Americana, and history in all eras and geographical areas. First, signed, and limited editions of many important authors will be present, plus collections of original photographs, prints by renowned artists from the 16th to the 21st century, and remarkable examples of book making, binding, and typography from throughout the world.

The professional booksellers, who are members of the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America (ABAA) or affiliates of the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB), will be happy to share with the book fair visitors specialized knowledge of their subject fields, as well as to discuss your own collecting interests. Visitors may also attend seminars and lectures on book-related topics, plus bring in some of their own books for appraisal on Discovery Day.

This year’s Book Fair will include a special focus on Asian books, manuscripts and artifacts, including seminars and an extraordinary exhibit of materials created just for the Fair. The Asian exhibit will offer a sampling of Chinese, Japanese and Korean imprints, manuscripts, graphics and objects dating from the eighth century into the twentieth from the rare book room of the C. V. Starr East Asian Library of the University of California, Berkeley - the second largest academic collection of East Asian materials in North America.

Lectures and Presentations

Saturday, February 16

Noted Galileo expert Nicholas Wilding will give a presentation about his research into a recent spate of forgeries and theft emanating from the Girolamini Library in Naples. His meticulous research and eye for detail helped lead to the arrest of the Library’s former director and to uncover a series of forgeries.

Sunday, February 17

Book Collecting 101 – Learn from the experts how to create a strategy for collecting books, as well as how to spot a “first edition,” judge a book’s condition, and learn bookish terms and jargon.

What’s This Book Worth? – Experienced ABAA members will discuss the primary factors that give books commercial and monetary value, as well as strategies for appraising and selling books.

Discovery Day – This is the public’s chance to discover if those old books gathering dust are worth something. The public will receive free, expert oral appraisals on up to three books.

46th California International Antiquarian Book Fair

February 15 – 17, 2013

Concourse Exhibition Center, San Francisco

Opening hours:

Friday 3 pm - 8 pm, Saturday 11 am - 7 pm, Sunday 11 am 5 pm

Sponsored by the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America (ABAA) and the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB)

>>> Click here for more information

>>> Check out this video from the previous California fair to get an idea of all the 2013 Book Fair has to offer