California 2016

Giant Gathering of Book Lovers Will Celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Publication of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland

"Even if you are not a collector, if you have ever read a book, it's a place to go to find out what you haven't read, or just what you haven't seen or didn't know exists."

Tony Bill, Actor, Director, Producer, Book Collector

From February 12 to 14, 2016, thousands of book lovers, rare book dealers, and scholars will converge at the Pasadena Convention Center for the 49th California International Antiquarian Book Fair. Recognized as one of the world’s largest and most prestigious exhibitions of antiquarian books, the Book Fair gives visitors the opportunity to see, learn about and purchase the finest in rare and valuable books, manuscripts, autographs, graphics, photographs and more. The 2016 edition of the Book Fair will also include a special exhibit marking the 150th anniversary of the publication of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland.

Featuring the collections and rare treasures of 200 booksellers from the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America and the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers, the Book Fair will present volumes from five centuries of printing, as well as original manuscripts that predate Gutenberg. Books will cover every imaginable area of interest - from the history of travel and exploration, early science and medicine to classic literature, modern first editions, children’s and illustrated books, and the arts. Items range in price from a few dollars to more than six figures.

“The theme of the 2016 Fair is A Wonderland of Books and it has dual meaning,” said Michael R. Thompson, Book Fair Chair of the Southern California Chapter of the ABAA, which organizes the event. “We’re inviting people to join us in celebrating Alice in Wonderland - arguably the world’s most influential children’s book and an iconic work that has inspired diverse writers, graphic artists, moviemakers and other creative voices over the last 150 years. But above all, to walk the aisles of the Fair is to enter a veritable wonderland of books where dealers from across the country and around the world offer up their most desirable and fascinating items for people to browse, touch and even go home with.”

The “Alice in Wonderland” special exhibit will feature books, illustrations, papers and original ephemera from the G. Edward Cassady, M.D. and Margaret Elizabeth Cassady, R.N., Lewis Carroll Collection at the University of Southern California Doheny Library. Prepare to be taken on an amazing journey into the world of Alice starting with Carroll’s manuscript, his drawings of Alice and a first edition of the classic and continuing with fantastic collectors’ editions with illustrations by famed artists such as Salvador Dali, Mary Blair’s 1951 concept drawings for Walt Disney Studios and contemporary visions of Alice in comic books, Japanese Manga and even video games. Those who want to start their own Alice collections will find excellent opportunities to acquire items from individual dealers who will offer many different editions of the Carroll book as well as other Wonderland inspired works.

The Book Fair is the perfect introduction for those new to the world of rare books and includes a seminar on the basics of collecting. Sunday, February 14 is Discovery Day, which gives attendees the opportunity to present up to three items to experts for free examination. Book Fair hours are Friday, February 12 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, February 13 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, February 14 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Pasadena Convention Center, located at 300 East Green Street, Pasadena, CA 91101. Tickets on Friday, February 12 are $25 and provide three-day admission. Proceeds from Friday tickets will benefit and offer free admission to the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens during the month of February. Tickets purchased on Saturday or Sunday are $15 and include return entry and free admission to the Huntington during the Book Fair.

49th California International Antiquarian Book Fair

12 – 14 February 2016, Pasadena Convention Center

Get ready for 'A Wonderland of Books'

Special exhibit at the 49th California International Antiquarian Book Fair celebrating the 150th anniversary of the first official publication of Lewis Carroll's timeless children's classic, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Thanks to the support of the University of Southern California Doheny Memorial Library Department of Special Collections, rare and unique items from the Cassady Lewis Carroll Collection are being showcased during the book fair. The Cassady Collection includes more than 3,000 rare books, manuscripts and objects created by or about beloved children's literature author, mathematician and writer Charles Dodgson, better known by his pen name, Lewis Carroll. Donated by USC alum Dr. George Cassady, the impressive collection includes first editions, works in translation, artist books, illustrated editions of the 'Alice' books by famous artists like Salvador Dali, Barry Moser & Ralph Steadman, stage and film adaptations, Victorian-era playing cards, pop-up books, letters and manuscripts, critical and reference works on Lewis Carroll, and more.

More Events:


Saturday, February 13, 1:00 pm

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: How One Small Girl Changed the World

An illustrated Talk by Chris Loker, organized by the Bibliographical Society of America about the landmark book Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, celebrated for the past 150 years as an iconic achievement in literature for both children and adults. Chris Loker will compliment her talk with numerous photographs showing how Alice, one of the most enduring characters of our time, has indelibly marked children's literature, illustration and popular culture.


Saturday, February 13, 3:00 pm

Panel discussion on collecting Alice in Wonderland, moderated by Patt Morrison

Sunday, February 14, 12:00 pm

Seminar: Rare Books 101

Presented by Katy Carter, Brad Johnson and Carol Sandberg. Noted rare booksellers will provide a speed course on the essentials you need to know to start collecting. This seminar will provide the following overview on getting started in rare book collecting: What makes a book rare? The different areas of collecting. Internet as a research tool for shopping. How to care for your books.

For more information, visit www.cabookfair.com