Contributed by Mr. Stevens and Richard Mori who were this show’s promoters.
From all accounts the Boston shadow fair was one of the most successful in years, in terms of the quality of dealers on the floor, attendance, and sales. The feedback on the venue location, the Hilton Boston Back Bay, was significantly positive. Dealers reported great satisfaction with the “all under one roof” experience.
This year’s Boston “shadow show” returned to its roots 25 years after its birth at the Pilgrim Garage down Dalton Street. From all accounts the Hilton location, just a four-minute walk from the Hynes Convention Center, was a major draw as the opening crowd was dominated by many of the stalwarts in the rare book trade, along with youthful and established collectors. Libraries were also well represented and many were seen leaving with packages. The aisles were packed upon opening at 8.
The promoters, MW Book Fairs, by agreement with the promoter of the Boston Book Fair at the Hynes, gave free tickets to all dealers and the effort paid off with many recognized ABAA/ILAB dealers near the front of the line.
Books in Boston will be back on November 9, 2024. You should put that date on your calendar.
MW Book Fairs is run by Duane A. Stevens of Wiggins Fine Books ABAA, SNEAB and Richard Mori of Richard Mori books of Nashua, New Hampshire. Mark your calendars.
Il Ponte, Feb. 25-26:
HAMILTON, Sir William (1730-1803) - Campi Phlegraei. Napoli: [Pietro Fabris], 1776, 1779. € 30.000 - 50.000
Il Ponte, Feb. 25-26: [MORTIER] - BLAEU, Joannes (1596-1673) - Het Nieuw Stede Boek van Italie. Amsterdam: Pieter Mortier, 1704-1705. € 15.000 - 25.000
Il Ponte, Feb. 25-26: TULLIO D'ALBISOLA (1899-1971) - Bruno MUNARI (1907-1998) - L'Anguria lirica (lungo poema passionale). Roma e Savona: Edizioni Futuriste di Poesia, senza data [ma 1933?]. € 20.000 - 30.000
Il Ponte, Feb. 25-26: IL MANOSCRITTO RITROVATO DI IPPOLITA MARIA SFORZA. TITO LIVIO - Ab Urbe Condita. Prima Decade. Manoscritto miniato su pergamena, metà XV secolo. € 280.000 - 350.000
Sotheby's Fine Books & Manuscripts Available for Immediate Purchase
Sotheby’s: Balthus, Emily Brontë. Wuthering Heights, New York: The Limited Editions Club, 1993. 6,600 USD.
Sotheby’s: Charles Dickens. Complete Works, Philadelphia & London: J.B. Lippincott Company & Chapman & Hall, LD, 1850. Limited Edition set of 30 volumes. 7,500 USD.
Sotheby’s: John Lennon, Yoko Ono. Handwritten Letter from John Lennon and Yoko Ono to their Chauffer. 1971. 32,500 USD.
Sotheby’s: Winston Churchill. First edition of War Speeches, Cassell and Company, Ltd., 1941. Set of 7 volumes. 5,500 USD.
Sotheby’s: Andy Warhol, Julia Warhola. Holy Cats First Edition, Signed by Andy Warhol. 1954. 30,000 USD.