The every other year ABAA book fair in South California returns to Pasadena for a three-day engagement Friday February 7^th through Sunday the 9^th.  This is the second time that the fair is being held in Pasadena.  In alternate years an ABAA west coast fair is held in the Bay area.  In recent years such fairs have assumed an increasing importance as rare book dealers continue to close their shops and increasingly rely  on such event to meet their customers.

 

The fair organizers have gone to great lengths to provide a deeper experience than just wading through several acres of dealers.  For those looking to be immersed there are the following opportunities:

 

Book Signing.  Saturday, February 8^th at 11:00 am.  Nicholas Basbanes will be signing his latest book, ‘On Paper-The Everything of its Two-Thousand-Year History.”

 

What Shakespeare Ate.  Dining in the Elizabethan Age Panel Discussion.  Saturday, February 8^th at 1:00 pm

 

A Talk:  Printing the Declaration of Independence – and Selling it.  Saturday, February 8^th at 3:00 pm.  A talk by Selby Kiffer, International Senior Specialist, Books and Manuscripts Department, Sothebys.

 

Seminar:  Rare Books 101.  Sunday, February 9^th at noon.  Presented by Katy Carter, Brad Johnson and Carol Sandberg.  Noted rare booksellers will provide a speed course on the essentials you need to know to start collecting.

 

Discovery Day.  Sunday, February 9^th, 1:30 to 3:00 pm.  Presented by the 47^th California International Antiquarian Book Fair.  Free appraisals on up to three books.  Limited to first come, first served.

 

Still making notes?  There is more.

 

“Book Arts.  You won’t want to miss as local “book art” artists and organizations come together to create an interactive, informative, and entertaining special event area.  Local libraries and universities will be exhibiting one-of-a-kind works from their collections.  Calligraphers, bookbinders and a small press operator will once again be creating unique souvenirs for you to take home.  Fun for all ages.

 

Join us in Celebrating Shakespeare’s 450^th Birthday!  Fine art books, posters, lobby cards, playbills and other collectibles will document Shakespeare’s enduring influence on literature and the arts.  Participating organizations include the Margaret Herrick Library of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, Honnold/Mudd Library at the Claremont Colleges Library, Ella Strong Denison Library at Scripps College, Huntington Library, and University of California San Diego Library.”

 

Hours:

 

Friday, February 7^th – 3 pm to 8 pm

Saturday, February 8^th – 11 am to 7 pm

Sunday, February 9^th – 11 am to 5 pm

 

Here is the show’s website.

 

http://www.sfbookfair.com/

 

Under the VISIT link there are further links for Directions, Restaurants and Hotels.

 

The show venue is

 

The Pasadena Convention Center

300 East Green Street

Pasadena, California 91101

 

A three-day pass is $25, a Saturday-Sunday pass $20.  Discounts are offered for students and for early registration.