Monday in San Francisco: An opportunity to discuss the future of rare books
- by Bruce E. McKinney
An 1888 lithograph of the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa
Based on following AE over the years, you might know that a rapidly growing auction market where prices are determined by competitive bidding is competing with the dealer-centric fixed-price market for books, manuscripts, maps, and ephemera in place for some 500 years. These two markets have long coexisted, the auction market for three centuries a wholesale redistribution mechanism for dealers that since 1980, beginning with Sotheby’s declaration to pursue the retail trade, increasingly become an alternative market. Thirty-three years later auctions, in number, by lots and realizations are rapidly increasing while the traditional dealer market declines.
In my view, we are at a turning point, on the rim of a volcano. Join me at the Book Club of California on Monday, November 4th at 5pm for a reception and a talk at 6pm followed by questions and answers.
312 Sutter St, Suite 500
San Francisco, CA 94108
Nearby BART Stations: Powell, Montgomery
Nearby Muni lines: 2, 3, 10, 30, 45
Nearest Parking Garage: The Stockton Street Garage