The 60th Annual New York International Antiquarian Book Fair March 5-8, 2020
- by Bruce E. McKinney
The New York Antiquarian Book Fair returns to New York March 5-8, 2020. This is, year in and year out, the most significant rare book fair in America and, many would suggest, the most important in the world. It will be held again this year at the New York Armory on Park Avenue between 66th and 67th. Collectors are advised, if travelling some distance, to make plans early.
This year 211 dealers from across America and around the world will exhibit. Long established, the fair this year celebrates its 60th anniversary and, as in past years, is fully subscribed. In total there are 169 booths of which 42 are shared. Donald Heald, show chairman, indicated that confidence among exhibitors is high.
The show begins on Thursday afternoon, March 5th, at 5:00 pm with an opening night cocktail party. In past years many buyers have acquired important examples on opening night. The largest crowds though will come through on Saturday.
In recent years the show’s organizers have emphasized increasing attendance and the hope this year is for about 9,000 visitors and guests to come through the doors over its 4 day run. It is a spectacular opportunity to buy and sell. And it is something more; a subtle defense of the crucial role dealers play in the building and redistribution of major collections. To see this simply ask to see copies with ownership histories. Great books from exceptional collections are worth more and bring more and when returning to the marketplace are highly prized.
Over the past two decades dealers have been closing shops while new and established auction houses have been increasing their roles. Net-net, at this show, whether you are a buyer or browser, dealers participating here are in effect acknowledging their relationship to the field is changing but their significance continues to be paramount. I encourage you, as I do, to believe it. Great collections, without the perspective of great dealers, are difficult to build.
So you thought it was just a show and in fact it is so much more. That’s why you are going to go.
There are also collateral events. The only one announced so far is Discovery Day on Sunday, March 8th. On the show’s website it says “Bring up to 5 treasures to be evaluated by our experts”.
There are also expected to be some lectures during the show but as of 1/25/20 no specifics are available. Closer to the show dates more information will be posted.
Ticket Prices
Preview Pass $60 including 1 daily re-admission
Daily Admission $25
Students $10 [with valid ID]
Run of Show $45
Such shows continue to be welcome respites from the steady din of auctions counting down the hours and minutes until important material is offered and sold around the world.
Here is a list of this year’s exhibitors and their booth numbers:
D33
Christof Groessl, Abeceda Antiquariat
Germany
A13
Alexandre Antique Prints, Maps, & Books
Canada
B23
United Kingdom
D28
Argentina
E24
United States
A24
United States
C12
United Kingdom
E22
Abraham Lincoln Book Shop, Inc.
United States
B24
France
A18
United States
B25
Antipodean Books, Maps & Prints
United States
C31
Canada
B28
France
A15
United States
B4
United Kingdom
D5
United States
D12
United States
E12
Germany
B15
Spain
B10
United States
A29
United Kingdom
D23
United States
E19
United States
C33
United Kingdom
E18
Roland Belgrave Vintage Photography
United Kingdom
A34
Germany
D26
United States
D6
United States
E10
United States
C21
Between The Covers Rare Books, Inc.
United States
C19
United States
C27
Italy
B2
United Kingdom
B6
France
B18
United States
E20
United States
A22
United States
D19
Italy
B8
Italy
A26
United States
A24
United States
E28
United States
A25
United Kingdom
C25
United States
C7
United States
E14
United States
B10
United States
B29
United States
E26
United States
D33
Japan
D25
Austria
C29
United Kingdom
D11
United States
E9
United States
D17
France
C29
United Kingdom
A32
Spain
D29
United Kingdom
D2
Belgium
C33
Justin Croft Antiquarian Books Limited
United Kingdom
A10
United States
E3
United States
D24
Netherlands
D22
United States
E31
United States
D3
United States
D10
United States
C30
Sweden
B19
United States
A12
United States
A20
United States
A35
Switzerland
B31
Michael Fagan Fine Art + Rare Book
United States
C13
France
D27
Librairie le Feu Follet- Edition Originale.com
France
C8
Switzerland
A22
Hungary
C2
France
C17
Netherlands
B30
France
A23
United States
B21
United Kingdom
A7
United States
A44
Geographicus Rare Antique Maps
United States
A36
United States
B3
Franklin Gilliam :: Rare Books
United States
C5
Thomas A. Goldwasser Rare Books
United States
A33
United States
B7
United Kingdom
C9
United Kingdom
E29
United States
B27
United Kingdom
E17
United Kingdom
C1
United States
A16
United States
A19
Jonathan A. Hill, Bookseller Inc.
United States
E33
United States
C33
United States
C17
Australia
D1
Argentina
A35
Switzerland
A9
United States
B1
Austria
C5
United States
E37
Jarndyce Antiquarian Booksellers
United Kingdom
C23
United States
A3
United Kingdom
D3
United States
E8
Austria
A5
United States
C3
United States
D18
United States
A5
United States
E8
France
C15
France
D8
Konstantinopel Rare & Fine Books
Netherlands
B1
Germany
D19
Daniela Kromp Rare and Unique Books
Germany
E13
United States
E12
Germany
E30
United States
A2
France
C11
France
C25
United States
B3
David M. Lesser Fine Antiquarian Books LLC.
United States
E6
France
A8
Liber Antiquus, Early Books & Manuscripts
United States
E4
United States
E4
United States
A31
United Kingdom
A27
Stuart Lutz Historic Documents, Inc.
United States
E9
United States
C10
Denmark
B11
United States
C26
United States
A17
United Kingdom
E39
France
D11
United States
E21
United States
C24
United States
B13
United Kingdom
D15
United States
E2
Mayfair Rare Books and Manuscripts Ltd
United Kingdom
E15
Netherlands
B4
United States
C4
United States
E2
United Kingdom
E11
Libreria Antiquaria Mediolanum
Italy
E39
United Kingdom
A6
France
C20
Netherlands
A38
United States
D13
Germany
B22
United States
E35
D4
Old Editions Bookshop and Gallery
United States
A21
Germany
B5
United States
C13
France
B33
Italy
B18
United Kingdom
A1
Phillip J. Pirages Fine Books & Manuscripts
United States
E11
Italy
B33
Libreria Antiquaria Pregliasco
Italy
A27
United States
C22
France
D30
United States
E18
United Kingdom
C6
United Kingdom
E1
United States
B17
United States
A42
United Kingdom
D22
United States
D20
United States
E27
United States
A6
Barry Lawrence Ruderman Antique Maps Inc
United States
C18
United States
D2
United Kingdom
D7
United States
D21
United States
E7
United Kingdom
A4
United States
B23
United States
C9
United Kingdom
A18
United States
B26
United Kingdom
E5
United Kingdom
C28
United Kingdom
E15
Giuseppe Solmi Studio Bibliografico
Italy
E23
Denmark
B12
United Kingdom
B15
France
E7
United Kingdom
D9
Czech Republic
D25
Austria
B7
United States
A14
United Kingdom
E22
United States
D31
United States
A4
United States
A2
United States
C15
France
B9
United Kingdom
D8
United States
A11
White Fox Rare Books and Antiques
United States
E25
United States
B20
United States
A12
United States
A40
United States