Join us today or tomorrow at the SF Book Fair: February 1-2
- by Bruce E. McKinney
Find some collectible paper!
Join us today or Tomorrow at the SF Book Fair: February 1-2
Book Fairs are the life blood for many dealers. Because the ABAA Fair at the Pasadena was cancelled because of fire risk, many dealers have shifted their focus to the Rare Books San Francisco Fair that begins today and ends Sunday, the second.
The space is light and airy and packed. 117 exhibitors have already prepared their booths and are looking forward to seeing you.
As to why would you come out in the expected somewhat inclement weather in San Francisco over this weekend, here are some reasons:
This is our normal weather, so we are well organized to handle it.
There’s plenty of nearby parking.
By my calculation, the typical booth is manned and womaned with 70 years of experience. This means when you multiply the number of booths (117) times 70, it suggests the exhibitors will be providing 8190 years of experience. So when you walk around you’ll find many, many people who can answer your questions.
The last reason is that I’ll be toward the back of the fair both days. If you have questions or simply want to say hello, I’ll be happy to see you.
If you want to set a time call me at 415 823-6678 or send an email at bmckinney@rarebookhub.com. I’ll be there from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm today, the 1st, and from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm Sunday the 2nd.
As to find us, look for Fort Mason, with the Pacific Ocean gently lapping nearby.
Il Ponte, Feb. 25-26: [CANALETTO] - VISENTINI, Antonio (1688-1782) da Giovanni Antonio CANAL (1697-1768, detto 'Il Canaletto') - Urbis Venetiarum prospectus celebriores. Venezia: Giovanni Battista Pasquale, 1742-51. €7.000-€10.000
Il Ponte, Feb. 25-26: LA FONTAINE, Jean de (1621-1695) - Fables Choisies. Parigi: Claude Barbin, 1668. €7.000-€10.000
Il Ponte, Feb. 25-26: MERCATOR, Rumold (1545-1599) - [I continenti] - Europa; Africa; America Sive India Nova; Asia. Amsterdam: S.d. [ca. 1633]. €2.000-€3.000
Sotheby's Sell Your Fine Books & Manuscripts
Sotheby’s: The Shem Tov Bible, 1312 | A Masterpiece from the Golden Age of Spain. Sold: 6,960,000 USD
Sotheby’s: Ten Commandments Tablet, 300-800 CE | One of humanity's earliest and most enduring moral codes. Sold: 5,040,000 USD
Sotheby’s: William Blake | Songs of Innocence and of Experience. Sold: 4,320,000 USD
Sotheby’s: The Declaration of Independence | The Holt printing, the only copy in private hands. Sold: 3,360,000 USD
Sotheby's Sell Your Fine Books & Manuscripts
Sotheby’s: Thomas Taylor | The original cover art for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Sold: 1,920,000 USD
Sotheby’s: Machiavelli | Il Principe, a previously unrecorded copy of the book where modern political thought began. Sold: 576,000 GBP
Sotheby’s: Leonardo da Vinci | Trattato della pittura, ca. 1639, a very fine pre-publication manuscript. Sold: 381,000 GBP
Sotheby’s: Henri Matisse | Jazz, Paris 1947, the complete portfolio. Sold: 312,000 EUR
Old World Auctions (Feb 12): Lot 746. Speed's Dual Atlas of Britain & the World with 96 Maps (1676). Est. $70,000 - $85,000
Old World Auctions (Feb 12): Lot 9. Visscher's Superb Double-Hemisphere World Map with Representations of the Elements (1658). Est. $4,750 - $6,000
Old World Auctions (Feb 12): Lot 58. One of the Most Important 16th Century Maps of the New World (1554). Est. $5,000 - $6,000
Old World Auctions (Feb 12): Lot 745. A Complete Example of Ortelius' Atlas of Ancient Geography (1624). Est. $12,000 - $15,000
Old World Auctions (Feb 12): Lot 73. First English Map to Show California as an Island (1625). Est. $16,000 - $19,000
Old World Auctions (Feb 12): Lot 156. Bachmann's Dramatic View of the Mid-Atlantic Region (1861). Est. $1,800 - $2,200
Old World Auctions (Feb 12): Lot 741. Early Announcement of Continental Congress' Declaration of Independence (1776). Est. $9,000 - $11,000
Old World Auctions (Feb 12): Lot 695. The First Printed Map Devoted to the Pacific (1589). Est. $8,000 - $9,500
Old World Auctions (Feb 12): Lot 733. Superb Image of the Presentation of Jesus in Hand Color (1502). Est. $700 - $850
Old World Auctions (Feb 12): Lot 52. Produced by the Psychological Warfare Branch to Encourage Surrender (1945). Est. $200 - $230