Three Antiquarian Book Shows In New York City This Weekend – A Quick Look At The Newest One

A view of the floor of the New York City Book and Ephemera Fair – Wallace Hall St. Ignatius Loyola Church April 11, 2015

With book lovers from all over the world descending upon New York York City for the ABAA’s New York Antiquarian Book Fair from April 9 -12 2015, two satellite shows containing about 50 dealers each displayed their wares at nearby locations.

Display of fine books at the New York City Book and Ephemera Fair

So this morning I had a chance to check out one of the shows The New York City Book and Ephemera Fair, at a location that to my knowledge has never held a book show; Wallace Hall at St. Ignatius Loyola Church on Park Ave and 84th Street.

The show produced by Marvin Getman, was well lit, spacious and chock full of top book dealers from all over the country and Canada.

Many dealers seemed happy with the turnout and for a $15 admission fee the public was able to see some high quality books at mostly affordable prices.

The display case of Wiggins Fine Books, Shelburne Falls, MA

The selection was wide, ranging from signed and first editions to ephemeral early punk rock magazines to science fiction classics to incunabula.

Several dealers featured art, photography and architecture books which seemed to moving briskly.

Children’s books were carried by many dealers and selling for fair prices. A first edition A Pocket for Corduroy a classic by Don Freeman with the dustjacket was offered at $600.

There were a multitude of books by Dr. Seuss for sale which goes to show that the ever popular children’s author is on the collective minds of the baby-boomers and younger generations. There was even a hand written letter with illustration by Dr. Seuss for sale.

For the New York City book collector, about half the dealers brought some NYC related titles.

The ever affable John Liberati of John Liberati Books stands in front of his booth

Prices ranged from $5 for a mid-20th century view book to just under $5,000 for a large copy of Egbert Viele’s famous Sanitary and Topographical Map of The City and Island of New York. There was also a Miniature Atlas of Manhattan from the turn of the century priced at $1,250.

The format of the show – one day, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. works well in conjunction with the ABAA show. The Wallace Hall Show had a free shuttle bus to take people to the ABAA show making it very convenient to go between all the shows.

I had other commitments today and didn’t have time to check out the ABAA show or The Manhattan Vintage Book & Ephemera Fair and Fine Book Press Fair by Flamingo Eventz, which was also a one day affair from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Church of St. Vincent Ferrer directly across from the armory where the ABAA show is taking place.

Hopefully next year I’ll get to all three shows.