Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair 2010

November 12 - November 14, 2010, Boston’s Hynes Convention Center

The 2010 Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair is one of the oldest and most respected antiquarian book shows in the United States. It will take place November 12 through November 14, 2010, at Boston’s Hynes Convention Center. Over 120 rare book dealers from the United States, England, Germany and The Netherlands are expected to exhibit and sell rare, collectible and antiquarian books, modern first editions, manuscripts, autographs, maps, atlases, and a plethora of other literary ephemera. Fine and decorative prints will also be featured.

Events

The Ecosystems of Book History: Acting Locally, Thinking Globally

Sunday, November 14, 2010 1 pm

A lecture by Michael Suarez, University Professor and Director of the Rare Book School at the University of Virginia. Michael Suarez’ most recent publication is The Oxford Companion to the Book (2010), a million-word reference work on the history of books and manuscripts from the invention of writing to the present day. The Sunday Telegraph in London called it “colossal” and “a paradise for book lovers;” while The Wall Street Journal praised it as “a fount of knowledge where the Internet is but a slot machine.”

Stephen Gertz (Booktryst) called him "the most passionate and enthusiastic speaker I have ever had the pleasure to listen to. Professor Suarez (or Father Suarez, or Michael - he's very casual about the titles he possesses) demonstrated a complete mastery of his subject during his talk, which, miraculously (as a
Jesuit priest he gets an extra helping hand unavailable to most), was delivered without text or notes of any kind. It was a breathtaking performance."

How to Cure Smelly Books …

… and Other Common Problems for Book Collectors: Helpful Tips on Book Care from a Professional Conservator

Saturday, November 13, 2010 1 pm

A book conservator shows solutions to common book care problems such as mildew odor, powdery leather (aka red rot), acid migration, scotch tape, uncut pages, detached pages, and more. Tips will also be offered on care, handling and storage of your valued collections.

Ticknor Society Collectors Roundtable

Saturday, November 13, 2010 3 pm

9th Annual Collectors Roundtable, moderator: Chris Morgan (Ticknor Society President). Three collectors will share their collecting passions and adventures, and will bring some of their special books and other collectibles to show. Alan Tannenbaum presents his extensive collection of Lewis Carroll. For the past 25+ years his focus has been on Lewis Carroll books and ephemera, with the obligatory voyage down the rabbit hole of Alice in Wonderland memorabilia. He is a ‘completist’, with practically none of the myriad collecting paths off limits. His extensive collection of rare, collectible, and popular culture qualifies him as an expert on the subject. Todd Pattison collects books bound by Benjamin Bradley, a pioneering book binder who established one of the first cloth binderies in Boston in 1832. He bound many of the publications of Ticknor & Fields, and also did binding for numerous other publishers. At one point, he employed upwards of 80 people and the bindery was able to turn out 3000 bound volumes in a day. Todd owns about 400 signed bindings by Bradley. Within the last ten years, Dan Johnson has discovered the works of Captain Frank Brinkley and his folios of hand-painted albumin photos of the people and scenes of Japan, along with wood blocks and other samples of Japanese goods. Dan Johnson collects Brinkley’s works in all their variations. In the round table discussion he will describe the process of hand-colouring albumin photographs and the collotypes of Ogawa.

Bring in Your Books for Appraisal by the Experts

Sunday, November 14, 2010 1-3 pm

Expert appraisers will be available to Book Fair visitors who wish to bring their own books, ephemera and manuscripts for appraisal.

>>> Exhibitors’ List