The world’s largest antiquarian book fair returns to the Oakland Marriott City Center, February 8-10. The three-day event, sponsored by the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America and the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers, will feature more than 200 booksellers from around the world, offering a rich selection of books, manuscripts, maps, and other printed materials. Special events include an exhibit from the Book Club of California highlighting women printers and book artists, as well as some of the club’s oldest and most sought-after books; an exhibit of the works of L. Frank Baum from a private collection, and several lectures. A run-of-show ticket costs $25; Saturday/Sunday combination ticket is $15. Free for students with valid ID.
Courtesy of the CA Book Fair.
The Codex VII Book Fair will take place February 3-6 at the Craneway Pavilion in Richmond, California. The fair draws nearly 200 international exhibitors devoted to preserving and promoting the handmade book as a work of art in the broadest possible context. A multi-day admission is $30; single day is $10; students are $5. This year’s symposium, focusing on books from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, will be held at the Berkeley City Club, February 4-5. Keynote speakers include Thomas Milroth and Susanne Padberg.
Courtesy of the Codex Foundation.
Kicking off California’s rare book week on February 1-2, Rare Books LA features more than 100 leading specialists in rare books, fine prints, photography, ephemera, maps, and more from throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. Held at the Pasadena Convention Center, the fair is produced by ABAA/ILAB members Jen & Brad Johnson, owners of johnson rare books & archives, who said: “This is a rare book fair for the modern age … We strive to create a book, fine art, and photography fair as diverse as our own business.” In the spotlight will be books from the private library of Playboy founder Hugh M. Hefner, including this signed presentation copy of Ian Fleming’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Tickets are $20 for Friday (2 p.m.-8 p.m.) and Saturday (10 a.m.-6 p.m.); $10 for Saturday only.
Courtesy of Rare Books LA.
At the South San Francisco Conference Center on February 9-10, the San Francisco Antiquarian Book Fair holds court. A fixture on the book and ephemera scene for four decades, this popular independent Fair brings together dealers of antiquarian and rare books on all subjects, first editions, modern literature, manuscripts, children’s books, gastronomy and cookbooks, science fiction, illustrations and art, antique and modern prints, vintage photographs, posters, autographs, postcards, ephemera, maps & exploration, California & the West, and typography. Admission is $12 per day, and parking is free.
Courtesy of Nancy Johnson Events Management.
