The St. Louis Fine Print, Rare Book and Paper Arts Fair, presented by the St. Louis Mercantile Library at the University of Missouri – St. Louis, celebrates a milestone this year with its 10th annual event.  The Fair has grown steadily in size and attendance, and now features major print dealers from around the nation.

“When we established the St. Louis Print Fair we had no idea how quickly it would grow into a new national print event” said John Hoover, executive director of the Mercantile Library.  “It was logical, considering the Library’s vast fine print and rare book collections, to broaden the format of the Fair to include dealers in all these historic objects.”

Over its ten year history the Fair has built a roster of exemplary national and local dealers, while always welcoming new participants to broaden the array of offerings presented to the St. Louis audience.  “We are fortunate to have had the long-term support of premier dealers both locally and from across the country who have contributed to building the Fair’s audience and reputation, and we’re delighted to have five new dealers who were inspired by our past success to request a booth this year” said Julie Dunn-Morton, curator of fine art collections at the Mercantile Library.  “The annual variations in our roster of dealers insures that each year’s Fair is new and exciting for our visitors.”

Among the returning national dealers this year are New York’s Susan Teller Gallery featuring American art of the 1930s and 40s, and The Old Print Shop specializing in 19th and 20th century prints and maps. Aaron Galleries from Chicago features works by renowned American Regionalists, Modernists and Abstract artists; Stevens Fine Art from Arizona offers 19th and 20th century American art; while the two iterations of the Philadelphia Print Shop in Pennsylvania and Colorado include 18th – 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 – 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 and Juliette Travous Pastels, both of St. Louis, are returning artists.  New art dealers include William P. Carl Fine Prints of Durham, South Carolina and William Talbot Fine Art from Santa Fe, New Mexico, while new book dealers include First Folio from Tennessee and Kronologë from Texas.