For those interested in old and rare books, manuscripts, maps and ephemera here’s a fair in southern California, in Pasadena to February 4-6. During the Covid-19 period, in-person book fairs, in the main disappeared while on-line book fairs became the way to stay connected with the collecting community.
With many positive signs that Covid is yielding to vaccinations, both the organizers and local health societies are waving their green flags, it’s time to get back to normal.
For this event there are two versions; one is on-line and the other is in-person. For the in-person fair 82 exhibitors will be there to meet, greet, buy and sell. For those joining the fair via the Internet 104 exhibitors are participating.
Here are the days and hours:
Friday, February 4 – 5pm-8pm PST
Saturday, February 5 – 10am-6pm PST
Sunday, February 6 – 11am-4pm PST
The Virtual Fair opens February 3.
The Huntington Library of Pasadena has also organized a series of events relating to the 100th anniversary of the publication of James Joyce’s novel Ulysses. For information about these events contact the Huntington at 626.405.2240
For those who cannot make it to Pasadena but can make it to the Bay Area, they will find many of the same dealers participating at the ABAA’s Biannual west coast fair at Oakland in the Bay Area February 11-13.
In accordance with state and local health orders:
Masks are required for everyone in indoor public settings and businesses regardless of vaccination status
Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test within one day for antigen tests and within two days for PCR tests is required prior to entry into the facility or venue (Details).
Identification is required for all attendees age 18+ to validate vaccination record or proof of negative test.
Sotheby’s Fine Manuscript and Printed Americana 27 January 2026
Sotheby’s, Jan. 27: An extraordinary pair of books from George Washington’s field library, marking the conjunction of Robert Rogers, George Washington, and Henry Knox. $1,200,000 to $1,800,000.
Sotheby’s, Jan. 27: An extraordinary letter marking the conjunction of George Washington, the Marquis de Lafayette, and Benjamin Franklin. $1,000,000 to $1,500,000.
Sotheby’s, Jan. 27: Virginia House of Delegates. The genesis of the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. $350,000 to $500,000.
Sotheby’s Fine Manuscript and Printed Americana 27 January 2026
Sotheby’s, Jan. 27: (Gettysburg). “Genl. Doubleday has taken charge of the battle”: Autograph witness to the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, illustrated by fourteen maps and plans. $200,000 to $300,000.
Sotheby’s, Jan. 27: President Lincoln thanks a schoolboy on behalf of "all the children of the nation for his efforts to ensure "that this war shall be successful, and the Union be maintained and perpetuated." $200,000 to $300,000.
Sotheby’s, Jan. 27: [World War II]. An archive of maps and files documenting the allied campaign in Europe, from the early stages of planning for D-Day and Operation Overlord, to Germany’s surrender. $200,000 to $300,000.
![<b>Sotheby’s, Jan. 27:</b> [World War II]. An archive of maps and files documenting the allied campaign in Europe, from the early stages of planning for D-Day and Operation Overlord, to Germany’s surrender. $200,000 to $300,000.](https://ae-files.s3.amazonaws.com/AdvertisementPhotos/9d2762bc-9f26-47ef-96de-1c28070e19f6.png "<b>Sotheby’s, Jan. 27:</b> [World War II]. An archive of maps and files documenting the allied campaign in Europe, from the early stages of planning for D-Day and Operation Overlord, to Germany’s surrender. $200,000 to $300,000.")