California International Antiquarian Book Fair returns to Oakland, California February 10th-12th
The most important rare book fair in California returns to Oakland February 10-12 after its every other year hiatus when the fair is held in southern California. These are important events as they both attract an international audience of exhibitors and guests and provide the opportunity for those on both sides of the counters to express interest and support for the field.
For the third time the show, which was once held in San Francisco, is being held in Oakland at the Mariott City Center, 1001 Broadway. It is a very nice facility with significant covered parking. For those with a heartbeat and an interest in the field it is “a can’t miss” opportunity.
Among the attractions are the 200 +/- exhibitors who come to exhibit to buy, sell and trade. And then there is the audience that varies with the telling but is always enough to fill the exhibition space with hope.
There is also a nearby space for organizations and book related crafts to encourage membership sign-ups and make book related [but not book] sales. It certainly makes for an experience.
Reports on prior year events suggest exhibiting dealers have free passes but they may be limited. So if you have a specific subject or specific dealers whose material is of interest it will be helpful to give them a heads up. Your goal should for them to bring an item for your consideration but the consolation prize may simply be a free pass. If you are well heeled or simply feeling lucky about your chances in the next Lotto drawing you should plan to come on Friday at 5:00 pm. The cognoscenti come early to consider the great rarities before they disappear.
The following is a list of participating crafts.
The American Bookbinders Museum
Bay Area Book Artists
Book Arts & Special Collections / SF History Center
The Book Club of California
California Historical Society
California Rare Book School
The Ephemera Society of Americana Exchange, Inc Friends of Calligraphy
Friends of the Oakland Public Library
Friends of the Palo Alto Library
Gleeson Library Associates
Hand Bookbinders of California
Letterform Archive
Mills College Book Art Program
Otter Bookbinding
Printers’ Chappel of Santa Cruz
Rare Book School
San Jose Printers Guild
Events
Saturday, February 11
9:00 am – 10:30 am
California Rare Book School Presents: The Other Book: Ames Almanack Opens a Window on Colonial America. Presented by Susan M. Allen, Director of California Rare Book School.
11:00 am – 12:30 pm
California Rare Book School Presents: Bound for El Dorado: Collecting California and the Far West. Presented by Gary F. Kurtz, Director of the Special Collections Branch, California State Library.
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Meet Mr. Blake, An illustrated lecture by John Windle on the life, work, and influence of William Blake, given by an ABAA specialist in the literary and artistic output of this English genius. Jointly presented by the ABAA and the Biographical Society of America.
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
California Rare Book School Presents: Printers, Collectors, Bibliographers, and the Inquisition: A Brief Introduction to the History of the Book in Hispanic America. Presented by Daniel J. Slive, Head of Special Collections at the Bridwell Library, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University and David Szewczyk of Philadephia Rare Books & Manuscripts Co.
Sunday, February 12
12:30 pm – 1:15 pm
Seminar: Book Collecting 101 Presented by Vic Zoschak Jr. of Tavistock Books. Topics discussed to include: What to collect and collecting strategies, what is a “first edition”, how to judge a book’s condition, bookish terms and jargon, where to buy books and where tom find additional information.
1:15 pm – 2:00 pm
Seminar: What’s This Book Worth? Presented by Vic Zoschak. During this period, two frequently proffered questions will be addressed by one of our long-time ABAA members: 1. “I have this old book, is it worth anything?” And 2. “I have this rare book, what’s it worth?” Expanding on the context of these two questions, appraisers will discuss the primary 4 factors that give books commercial and monetary value. Finally, strategies and venues for selling books will be offered, as well as when, and how to get books professionally appraised.
2:00 – 3:30 pm
Seminar: Discovery Day
Exhibitors will offer interested individuals an opportunity to receive free appraisals on up to three books. Appraisals are limited to a first come, first served basis within the scheduled times.
Finding dealers and their subjects
Use this link to go to the show’s website. It’s https://www.cabookfair.com/exhibitors.php#
You might then search the lists for categories and dealers of interest. Next search their specific inventories for things of interest. You may then, without obligation, request an item be brought for consideration. On this no one loses. Dealers are never sure what to bring and collectors and institutions will attend with heightened interest
Show Location
1001 Broadway
Oakland, California 94607
www.Cabookfair.com
800.454.6401
