52nd New York Antiquarian Book Fair - April 13 – 15, 2012

"Just as exciting as sitting in the dark of the theatre and watch a horror film! This experience is not horror. But it’s just as exciting!"

Yoko Ono

Declared by the late Andy Rooney of CBS’ 60 Minutes as the “Best Book Fair in the World,” the New York Antiquarian Book Fair returns to the Park Avenue Armory for its 52nd Anniversary. Sponsored by the prestigious Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America (ABAA) and the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB), the 52nd Annual New York Antiquarian Book Fair promises to be the best exhibit to date.

Over 200 expert dealers from all over the world will fill the historic Park Avenue Armory with over 100,000 rare, precious and exciting books, manuscripts, autographs, maps, and bindings. Books ranging from history, law, philosophy, to children’s books, fashion, art, and more can be found with a wide price range. Book lovers may be sure: There will be something for everyone.

Highlights

Between the Covers will be bringing a "high spot of modem literature”: a first edition of “The Great Gatsby”, in addition to a 1576 first edition by Juan Latino, the first African poet to be published in Europe. This book is a must for any serious collector of Africana or African-Americana.

Schubertiade Music LLC will be featuring a signed photograph of Charlie Chaplin as the Tramp, his signature character and most enduring creation. The photograph is boldly signed in fountain pen, “Faithfully, Charlie Chaplin."

Paul Foster Books' impressive array of items includes a first edition of J. M. Barrie's “Peter and Wendy”, the true first printing of this classic title. They will also be featuring a first edition of William Faulkner's “The Sound and the Fury”.

Winfried Geiseheyner from Germany will show "Der Struwwelpeter", the world's most famous children's books. An extremely rare second edition with hand-coloured lithographed title. This edition is almost impossible to find on the market.

Among II Polifilio Libri Rari's items is a standout first edition of the report of the last voyage of the French explorer Caillaud in the Egyptian, Ethiopian and Sudanese deserts.

Jarndyce is showing a standout holograph manuscript signed by Charles Dickens himself, "dated Wednesday twenty eighth April 1858." This selection of text from David Copperfield is accompanied by a letter from Dickens, in response to Yate's request for Dickens to chair a dinner in support of the Orthopaedic Hospital.

Donald A. Heald will show Alexander Gardner's “Photographic Sketch Book of War”, one of the most important American books. A monument to early American photography, this photographically illustrated book contains many of the most recognizable images from the Civil War.

Maggs offers An “Authentic Account of Commodore Anson's Expedition: Containing All that was Entertaining, during that long and dangerous Voyage”, taken from George Anson's private Journal. This unauthorized account, in its first edition form, is an extremely rare find on the market.

>>> For more highlights visit the official website.

52nd Annual New York Antiquarian Book Fair

April 13 – 15, 2012

Park Avenue Armory

67th Street, NEW YORK

>>> Exhibitors’ list

Preview

Thursday, April 12, 5 p – 9 pm

Opening hours

Friday noon - 8 pm

Saturday noon - 7 pm

Sunday noon - 5 pm

Discovery Day

A favourite tradition, Discovery Day gives visitors the opportunity to bring their own rare books, manuscripts, and maps for free appraisals from exhibitors on Sunday, April 15, noon – 3 pm

Follow the New York Fair on Twitter (@SLSfairs), on sanfordLsmith.wordpress.com an onwww.sanfordsmith.com for the most up-to-date news about the fair and its exhibitors.