I asked several English dealers about it and they said essentially the same thing.  Europeans have their hands full these days.  Sales at home are down while sales overseas are up.  So they go on the road and from what we can tell are succeeding.  In April many of these dealers will also be exhibiting in New York at the ABAA or satellite fair.

Other countries were also represented at the Pasadena fair:

Australia

Hordern House Rare Books

Douglas Stewart Fine Books

Austria

Antiquariat Michael Steinbach

Canada

Aquila Books

Helen R. Kahn & Assoc., Inc

Wilfrid M. de Freitas, Bookseller

Denmark

Herman H. J. Lynge & Son A/S

Sophia Rare Books

France

Librairie Ancienne des Trois Islets

Libraire Alain Brieus

Rodolphe Chamonal

Germany

Antiquariat Michael Banzhaf

Antiquariat Reinhold Berg

Antiquariat Michael Kuehn

Antiquariat Hans Lindner

Antiquariat Manfred Nosbusch

Italy

Philobiblon Roma

The Netherlands

Antiquariaat Forum B.V.

Leen Helmink Antique Maps

For east coast book collectors these dealers and others coming to exhibit from around the world are each in themselves a good reason to attend the New York fairs.  Rare Books are not often offered anymore on Main or High Street.  These days book fairs are the main thoroughfares for booksellers.  The booksellers understand this very well.  The web is powerful but to connect with dealers the shows are essential.

Links to the two recent west coast fairs and the one coming up in April in New York:

SF Book Fair

ABAA Pasadena Fair

ABAA New York Fair