Now in its ninth year, the St. Louis Fine Print, Rare Book and Paper Arts Fair set for May 1 to 3, 2015, is attracting participants from around the country with its growing reputation for quality dealers, enthusiastic crowds and a wonderful setting.

Organizers anticipate up to 1,000 art, rare-book and ephemera collectors at this year’s fair, presented by the St. Louis Mercantile Library at the University of Missouri–St. Louis.

“We are delighted to welcome back all of the premier dealers who’ve helped build the fair over the past eight years as well as seven new dealers,” said Julie Dunn-Morton, curator of fine art collections at the Mercantile Library. “The expanding roster insures that the fair is new and exciting for all our visitors each year.”

Among the returning national dealers are New York’s Susan Teller Gallery featuring American art of the 1930s and ’40s, and The Old Print Shop specializing in 19th-century prints and maps. Kiechel Fine Art from Nebraska features 20th-century regional art, especially the work of Thomas Hart Benton; Stevens Fine Art from Arizona offers 19th- and 20th-century American art; and the Philadelphia Print Shop’s two locations in Pennsylvania and Colorado include 18th- and 19th-century prints and maps among their offerings.

Prominent local dealers are regulars at the fair, including Anthony Garnett with his antiquarian, first-edition and international book titles; Judith Haudrich Antique Prints specializing in 17th- to 19th-century botanical and historical subjects; Kodner Gallery featuring 19th- and 20th-century paintings and prints; and McCaughen & Burr specializing in paintings and prints by regional and Missouri artists.

Barbara Martin Smith Watercolors of St. Louis and Murray Hudson Antiquarian Books, Maps, Prints & Globes from Tennessee will be returning for a second year, while new dealers include Two Ponds Press, a fine press located in Maine, and Aaron Galleries, featuring the work of 19th- and 20th-century regional and Ste. Genevieve, Mo., artists.

Among this year’s highlights is a two-hour appraisal event on May 2 for prints, paintings and maps. Sponsored by Leslie-Hindman Auctioneers, the appraisal is free with fair admission, but visitors are required to pre-register (314-516-7248) to secure a timeslot.

Proceeds from the fair benefit the Mercantile Library collections acquisition and conservation funds. Visit printfair.umsl.edu or call 314-516-6740 for tickets and more information.