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Searching The New York Book Shows For Collectibles

A Weekend For The Books

Two Additional Manhattan Book Shows Draw Collectors

St. Vincent Ferrer book show

St. Vincent Ferrer book show

Besides the ABAA Antiquarian Book Fair there were two other shows taking place in New York on Saturday April 9, 2016.

One show across the street from the ABAA Armory show was the The Manhattan Vintage Book & Ephemera Fair & Fine Press Book Fair at the Church of St. Vincent Ferrer (Lexington Avenue and 66th Street) produced by Flamingo Eventz from 10 a.m.  – 6 p.m..

Wallace Hall book show attendees and booths

Wallace Hall book show attendees and booths

The other show further uptown was the New York City Book and Ephemera Fair held at Wallace Hall at St. Ignatius Loyola Church (Park Avenue & 84th Street) produced by Impact Events Group, Inc. and Abebooks.com from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Each show offered quality items at prices within the budget of most book collectors. These shows had bargains, you just had to be sharp, look carefully and be decisive. If you hesitate and walk away, the item you were just looking at can be sold a second later. I’ve seen it happen many times when someone puts down an item, another person is standing right near them and they pick it up and buy it! Continue reading

The ABAA New York Antiquarian Book Fair Arrives With Treasures For Every Book Lover

ABAA New York Book Fair Has Treasures In All Price Ranges

The display case of Sumner & Stillman Yarmouth, ME. One of the 200+ exhibitors at The New York ABAA Book Fair

The display case of Sumner & Stillman, Yarmouth, ME. One of the 200+ exhibitors at The New York ABAA Book Fair

There are not many places you can see a dozen first edition copies of Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn. That is unless you are visiting the Park Avenue Armory this weekend.

P164 Booth Lux Mentis and Brian CassidyOver 200 book dealers from around the globe have set up at the Armory (Park Avenue between 66th & 67th Streets) to display and sell their treasures and rarities. For sale are original manuscripts, maps, autographs, illuminated texts and of course, books. Lots and lots of books.

The book show had a preview opening Thursday, April 7 and presents a fascinating feast not only for bibliophiles, but for anyone wishing to see works that could be in a private library or museum, yet are available for purchase.

P161 Jules Verne first editions Sumner and Stillman

A collection of Jules Verne first editions at Sumner & Stillman

The exhibitors have brought a range of objects with them, from one of a kind rarities to books from highly collected stalwart authors like Hemingway, Verne, Dickens, Joyce, Wells, Faulkner, and Melville. And then of course there is Mark Twain and those multiple copies of Huckleberry Finn first editions. Continue reading

Ten Great Films From The 1940s Featuring New York City

Filming Around New York City In The 1940s

On The Town posterDuring Hollywood’s golden years from the 1930s through the early 1950s there were many films set in New York City, but the vast majority were made on the studio lots in southern California. Almost every studio had their own New York set which would convey “the Big Apple.”

The reasons for doing so were obvious; the costs of actually sending the cast and crew on location to film would be cost prohibitive and complete control could be exercised in the studio for crowd control, noise, lighting and other technical issues.

Occasionally films would use stock footage of New York or a second unit directing team would be sent to capture a New York scene or two to be used as establishing shots showing the audience, yes this is New York. Usually though none of the principal characters in the film were ever actually in New York, but back in Hollywood, playing against what is called a “process shot” a background screen showing New York footage usually while the actors were walking or driving.

Even such quintessential “New York” films such as A Tree Grows In Brooklyn (1945) and Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942) were shot completely in Hollywood.

So when the cast and crew actually did any filming in New York it was a rare treat, especially looking back today at the much changed metropolis.

Here are ten of the best 1940s films where a part of the movie was actually filmed on location in New York City.

Saboteur Cummings and Lloyd Statue of LibertySaboteur (1942) This cross-sountry chase of one man falsely accused of sabotage pursuing the real saboteur winds up in New York. Director Alfred Hitchcock had his second unit shoot footage in the city that shows New York in the midst of World War II. We see Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, the waterfront and other familiar city sights.  A masterpiece of storytelling the film moves at a smooth pace as you bite your nails watching. Spoiler alert: Sinister character actor Norman Lloyd battles hero Robert Cummings on Bedloe’s Island at The Statue of Liberty in one of the most iconic conclusions to a film ever shot.

Ray Milland The Lost Weekend Third Avenue photo Life MagazineThe Lost Weekend (1945) Director Billy Wilder takes advantage of New York, shooting many of the exteriors of The Lost Weekend on location. Ray Milland’s portrayal of troubled, alcoholic writer Don Birnam won him an Academy Award for best actor. The film also won Oscars for best picture, best director and best screenplay. There are so many shots of Milland in the city it becomes a game to recognize where the actual locations are. Third Avenue is prominently put on display. The giant street clock Milland passes in one scene is still there today – located on Third Avenue between 84th and 85th Streets. All the mom and pop stores and restaurants along the way are long gone, replaced mostly by chains. P.J Clarke’s on Third Avenue and 55th Street was used in the shooting but many of the interior scenes of the bar were shot back in Hollywood. Continue reading