Later in the day, after spending the afternoon at the ABAA fair, we fly home to San Francisco. Over the following week, as the Hanrahans sort through the leads, suggestions, promises and commitments Jack concludes it was a tough fair. "People are cautious. We are too."

Leigh, who did well, is also sanguine. "A single sale made this a good fair. I brought the right item and the right buyer saw it."

Joyce and Jack Hanrahan and Leigh Stein, between them are 232 years old. They are a bit above the average age at the ABAA fair and twenty years older than the crowd at the Shadow Fair. They are the lifeblood of the business and will remain active into their 80's. But this is a passage, the ending of an era and all who love books and the chase should pause to appreciate these people and their commitment to the field. They are part of what makes it great.