Annual booklovers gathering features record number of new national and international dealers

NEW “Discovery” items priced at $100 or less for beginning collectors

BOSTON, MA – The annual fall gathering for booklovers, the Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair, will return to the Hynes Convention Center in Boston’s beautiful Back Bay, November 14-16, 2014.  A record-breaking 134 dealers from the United States, England, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Russia and The Netherlands will exhibit and sell rare, collectible and antiquarian books, illuminated manuscripts, autographs, maps, atlases, modern first editions, photographs, and fine and decorative prints. There will be 15 first-time dealers and 27 international dealers at this year’s show, bringing a wide and diverse selection of items of interest to the serious collector or the curious shopper.

One of the oldest and most respected antiquarian book shows in the country, the Fair is an event that offers the ‘crème de la crème’ of items that are available on the international literary market. Whether just browsing or buying, the Fair offers something for every taste and budget—books on art, politics, travel, gastronomy and science to sport, natural history, literature, music and children’s books. 

Among the highlights this year are rare and first editions of works by Charles Dickens, Betty Friedan, George R.R. Martin, and Charles Darwin; George Washington’s 1789 proclamation declaring Thanksgiving a national holiday (valued at $8.4 million); a complete set of the original Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Holmes & Watson stories in the Strand Magazines; ­a rare first edition of the first novel by an African-American woman, Harriet E. Wilson’s 1859 Sketches from the Life of a Free Black; the first baseball book­, Mike “King” Kelly’s Play Ball; Mick Jagger’s handwritten lyrics for his 1987 song War Baby; and the first four volumes of artist Marc Chagall’s complete catalogue of lithographs.

For attendees wanting to start a collection without breaking the bank, there will be dealers offering “Discovery” items, including a selection of children's books and decorative cloth bindings, priced at less than $100. On Saturday, an expert panel will give tips on the best ways to start your own collection. And on Sunday from 1-3pm, attendees are invited to bring in their own books for free appraisal.

Seminars and events punctuate the weekend, including talks by the Massachusetts Historical Society’s Peter Drummey and Fruitlands Museum’s Michael Volmar, as well as The Annual Ticknor Society Roundtable, a panel discussion of collectors talking about their collections. For up to the minute details, visit www.bostonbookfair.com.

HOURS, TICKET PRICES & CONTACT INFORMATION

Friday, November 14              5:00-9:00pm               Tickets: $20.00 - Opening Night                 
                                                                                    (tickets valid throughout the weekend)
Saturday, November 15          12:00-7:00pm             Tickets: $10.00
Sunday, November 16            12:00-5:00pm             Tickets: $10.00; free with a valid student I.D.

Hynes Convention Center
900 Boylston Street
Boston, MA
www.mccahome.com

The Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair is sponsored by the New England Chapter of the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America. A portion of the ticket sales will benefit the Boston Public Library and the American Antiquarian Society. Tickets will be sold at the show’s box office during show hours and online at www.bostonbookfair.com.

For more information, call 617-266-6540 or visit www.bostonbookfair.com.

EVENTs at the Fair

Louisa May Alcott: Fruitlands Museum

Saturday, November 15, 12:30PM

Michael Volmar, Chief Curator at Fruitlands Museum, will provide an introductory exploration of materials in the museum’s transcendentalist manuscript collection. Fruitlands celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2014!

Ticknor Society Collectors’ Roundtable: Ephemera!

Saturday, November 15, 2:00PM

Diane DeBlois, Nancy Rosin & David Freund will speak on what ephemera is, why people collect it, and what people can do with it; valentines as ephemera; and Victorian scrapbooks. See ephemera samples.

DISCOVERY: Starting Your Own Collection

Saturday, November 15, 3:30pm

Panel Discussion - Ask the experts the best way to start your own collection. Afterwards, shop the Fair and visit our “Discovery” exhibitors for items that are more affordable to help you begin your collection.

FREE Expert Appraisals!

Sunday, November 16, 1:00 - 3:00pm

Bring your books & ephemera to get expert free appraisals. You might find you have a valuable treasure!

The Art of the B

Boston of Benjamin Franklin’s Youth

Sunday, November 16, 2:00PM

Massachusetts Historical Society’s Peter Drummey will share and speak about materials relating to Franklin’s youthful career as a fledging journalist and newspaper publisher in Boston, before he left for Philadelphia—and everlasting fame—in 1723.

For digital images, or for further media information, contact NinaJBerger@hotmail.com or call 617-543-1595.

The Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair is produced by CommPromo.