Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America
The 39th Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair Returns to the Hynes Convention Center, November 13-15, 2015
2015 American and international book dealers, collectors and the intellectually curious come together to celebrate the printed word
The annual fall gathering for booklovers, the Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair, will return to the Hynes Convention Center in Boston’s beautiful Back Bay, November 13- 15, 2015. More than 120 dealers from the United States, Australia, England, Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, Russia, and The Netherlands will exhibit and sell a vast selection of rare, collectible and antiquarian books, illuminated manuscripts, autographs, maps, atlases, modern first editions, photographs, and fine and decorative prints. Special events at this year’s Fair include the Boston debut of the Typewriter Rodeo, a group of poets who create custom poems on vintage typewriters; a talk by Peter Sokolowski, editor-at-large for Merriam-Webster, about the 19th century dictionary wars; a behind-the-scenes talk with Marsha Bemko, executive producer of Antiques Roadshow; as well as The Annual Ticknor Society Roundtable, a panel discussion of collectors talking about their collections.
Popular “Discovery” items priced at $100 or less for beginning collectors
For attendees wanting to start a collection without breaking the bank, there will be dealers offering “Discovery” items, including a selection of children's books and decorative cloth bindings, priced at $100 or less. On Saturday, an expert “Discovery” panel will give tips on the best ways to shop a book fair and start your own collection. And on Sunday from 1-3 pm, attendees are invited to bring in their own books for free appraisal.
Among the highlighted items for sale will be rare and first editions of works by Erasmus, Ezra Pound, Winston Churchill, Aimé Césaire, Philip Levine, Robert Frost, and J. M Barrie; engravings and prints by Sonia Delaunay and Pablo Picasso; a very rare 500-year old Dutch medical book, Hortus Sanitatis, containing detailed writings and annotated illustrations on plants, herbs, animals, and minerals used in medieval healing; an inscribed first-edition of Clement Moore’s Twas the Night Before Christmas; signed letters from Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and John Hancock; a copy of the Matisse Ulysses signed by James Joyce and Henri Matisse; an exceptional complete folio of Francisco Goya’s Los Caprichos aquatints; and a unique version of the 18th century French classic Fables of the Fontaine that might, literally, be the longest book ever brought to the Fair. One of the oldest and most respected antiquarian book shows in the country, the Fair is an event that offers the ‘crème de la crème’ of items that are available on the international literary market. Whether just browsing or buying, the Fair offers something for every taste and budget - books on art, politics, travel, gastronomy, and science to sport, natural history, literature, music, and children’s books - that will appeal to the serious collector and the curious browser.
The Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair is sponsored by the New England Chapter of the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America. A portion of the ticket sales will benefit the Boston Public Library and the American Antiquarian Society.
Saturday, November 14, 12:30pm
Behind the Scenes at Antiques Roadshow
Executive Producer Marsha Bemko will take you behind the scenes at the Antiques Roadshow, with highlights and anecdotes from America’s favorite antiques appraisal show. Part human adventure, part history lesson, and part treasure hunt, 13-time Emmy® Award-nominated Antiques Roadshow gears up for it’s 20th season beginning January 4, 2016.
Saturday, November 14, 2:00-5:00pm
Typewriter Rodeo
The Typewriter Rodeo poets will be on hand to write an original poem for you on any topic you choose on their eclectic collection of vintage typewriters.
Saturday, November 14, 2:30pm
DISCOVERY: Starting Your Own Collection
A rare opportunity to ask the experts the best way to start your own collection. Afterwards, shop the Fair and visit our “Discovery” exhibitors for items $100 and under to help you begin your collection.
Saturday, November 14, 4:00pm
Ticknor Society Collectors’ Roundtable
The Ticknor Society’s 14th annual roundtable will feature collectors sharing their passions for special books and collectibles.
Sunday, November 15, 12:30pm
The Invention of the Modern Dictionary
Peter Sokolowski, Editor at Large, Merriam-Webster - Commonly referred to as the Unabridged, and edited during the turmoil of the American Civil War, the 1864 edition was the first comprehensive revision of Noah Webster’s famous dictionary. Learn more about the real history of this traditional American brand.
Sunday, November 15, 1:00 - 3:00pm
FREE Expert Appraisals!
Bring your books & ephemera to get expert free appraisals. You might find you have a valuable treasure.
39th Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair
November 13-15, 2015 at Hynes Convention Center
Friday, November 14: 5 – 9 pm
Saturday, November 15: 12 – 7 pm
Sunday, November 16: 12 – 5 pm
For more information visit the official website www.bostonbookfair.com.
(Pictures: Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair)
