April 27-30, 2023
New York, NY

Book Fairs

New York International Antiquarian Book Fair

New York International Antiquarian Book Fair

Universally acknowledged as the world’s finest antiquarian book fair, the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America’s (ABAA) New York International Antiquarian Book Fair (NYIABF) offers an amazing array of bookish riches. Held at the Park Avenue Armory, April 27th to April 30th, the 63rd fair features exhibitors from over 17 countries. Given the strict Ethics Code of the ABAA, fairgoers can expect experienced, professional dealers offering a rigorously authenticated treasure trove of items, including rare books, maps, illuminated manuscripts, incunabula, fine bindings, illustrations, historical documents, prints, unique ephemera, artist books, and zines, as well as early American and European literature, contemporary first editions, children’s books, autographs, photographs, and more. Subjects run the gamut from art, science, history and medicine to design, pop culture, fashion, music, and culinary science. The fair attracts everyone from seasoned collectors to celebrities, literati, and everyday book enthusiasts. With its one-of-a-kind offerings at prices ranging from $50 to millions, there’s something for everyone.

Courtesy of New York International Antiquarian Book Fair

The Manhattan Vintage Book, Ephemera  & Fine Press Book Fair

The Manhattan Vintage Book, Ephemera & Fine Press Book Fair

The Manhattan Vintage Book, Ephemera & Fine Press Book Fair, aka "The Shadow Show," will be held on Saturday, April 29 from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., at the Church of St. Vincent Ferrer, 869 Lexington Avenue at 66th Street—just across the street from the Armory. Appraisals by John Bruno and guest appraiser. Admission: $18 for adults, $8 for youths aged 13–21, and free for those under 13 with paid adult.

Courtesy of Courtesy of Flamingo Eventz

Auctions

Swann Galleries

Swann Galleries

Swann’s Printed & Manuscript Americana Auction April 13th features a fascinating collection of Civil War material, including personal diaries by a1st California Cavalry officer on a desert expedition; a Virginia Military Institute cadet required to serve in the Confederate Army; and a private marching under General Sherman.There are also two journals chronicling the 19th and early 20th century whaling industry and a collection of work by 18th century preacher, theologian and philosopher Jonathan Edwards. An early proponent of the 1740’s revival, the Great Awakening, Edwards authored one of the most famous colonial sermons: Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.

Courtesy of Swann Auction Galleries

Exhibits & Events

The Morgan Library & Museum

The Morgan Library & Museum

Nina Katchadourian (b.1968) creates an unexpected dialogue between treasures from the Morgan’s collection and artifacts from her career and family history in her installation Uncommon Denominator, which runs through May 28th. Katchadourian created a sequence of clusters, incorporating staff favorite pieces, where images and objects are juxtaposed or placed in conversation with each other, sparking connections between similar and disparate things, adding rich layers of creative tension, insight and new perspective to the pieces. The installation also includes a Morgan-specific iteration of her ongoing Sorted Books project: books stacked so their titles spell out sentences, poems, jokes, or stories.

Courtesy of The Morgan Library & Museum.

The New York Public Library

The New York Public Library

The New York Public Library’s Polonsky Exhibition highlights extraordinary items from the Library’s vast collection--some visible to the public for the first time. With over 56 million pieces, spanning 4,000 years, from the beginnings of written language to the current times, the collection includes manuscripts, artworks, letters, stills, moving images, and recordings. Highlights of the exhibition include an 18th century copy of the Declaration of Independence, an Art Nouveau theater poster by Alphonse Mucha advertising renowned actress Sarah Bernhardt as Hamlet, a Gutenberg Bible circa 1455, and vintage plush toys of Winnie the Pooh and Friends from 1921. The exhibition includes an audio tour, and can be experienced online.

Courtesy of The New York Public Library

The Grolier Club

The Grolier Club

The first exhibition to explore the legacy of Gilded Age author and reformer Zoe Anderson Norris (1860- 1914), The Grolier Club’s To Fight for the Poor with My Pen: Zoe Anderson Norris, Queen of Bohemia runs March 2―May 13th. An investigative journalist dubbed Queen of Bohemia, Norris founded The East Side newspaper, and wrote for a number of other newspapers and periodicals. She fought for the rights of women, children and immigrants, often going undercover to expose prejudice, corruption and police brutality. A socialite who used her powers for good, Norris founded the activist Ragged Edge Klub, whose raucous weekly dinner and dancing meetings included diverse members from all across the social strata.

Courtesy of Eve M. Kahn and The Grolier Club

Biblotourism

Chumley's

The Mall

Tour The Mall, Central Park’s iconic, elm-lined walkway, is known as the Literary Walk or Poets’ Walk. The southern end features five statues: Shakespeare, Burns, Walter Scott, and Halleck. A beautiful outdoor literary excursion.

Courtesy of Wikipedia.

Poe Cottage

Poe Cottage

3309 Bainbridge Avenue
The Bronx

Tour Edgar Allan Poe spent the last years of his life, from 1846–1849, in The Bronx. This landmark house museum is where he wrote "Annabel Lee" and "The Cask of Amontillado." Open Th-Su.

CREDIT: FLICKR.COM COURTNEY "COCO" MAULT.

Bowne & Co. Stationers and Bowne Printers

Bowne & Co. Stationers and Bowne Printers

209–211 Water Street
Manhattan

Shop Experience the traditional craft of nineteenth-century letterpress in a charmingly atmospheric shop true to its origins. Open every day 11 a.m.–7 p.m.

CREDIT: FLICKR.COM SANG-HEE.