With the disruption of Covid-19 Marvin Getman, show promoter, is developing a fresh approach to fairs that work around the current prohibitions for gathering of groups. For many dealers shows are vital for two reasons; to acquire and sell material. His strategy is to provide the benefits while avoiding the risks. He’s not the first person nor will he be the last to wrestle with ways to improve bookfairs. Here’s his thinking.
Getman’s Virtual Book and Paper Fair
Until now, book fairs have been the place where dealers and customers came together to buy, sell, and learn from one another. Now, with public gatherings banned for the foreseeable future, Marvin Getman, the promoter of some of the top book and paper fairs in the country, is taking these fairs into the virtual world and making them easily accessible via computer or smartphone.
Since Covid-19 forced the cancellation of two of Getman’s spring fairs, he has been working with a developer to simulate a traditional, live book fair. “As I started to develop this plan and after talking with numerous dealers, I realized that my virtual fair will actually be so much more efficient for book buyers than a live fair could ever be.” Getman sent a survey to dealers to test the interest level and to solicit ideas to help make it work well for both buyer and seller. “As I imagined, dealers are excited at the prospect of meeting customers in this new format.” Getman sees his new virtual fair as a great way to expand his marketplace well beyond his Northeast U.S. base. He is designing an efficient process through which collectors, institutions and dealers will be able to peruse the booths of every exhibitor in the fair one by one, or easily visit just their favorite dealer. There will also be a search feature to allow browsing by category. To add to the excitement, exhibitors will be asked to show only fresh stock. At the start, Getman’s new virtual fairs will open on a Tuesday at noon (eastern) and close at 5pm on a Thursday at 5pm (eastern). He is certain that with his heavy promotion leading up to the opening of each fair there’ll be a “line” waiting for the doors to open for first crack at the buying opportunities.
As with Getman’s physical fairs, dealers will find an efficient and well planned process for setting up their virtual booths. Similarly, buyers and sellers will communicate directly with each other to discuss and complete transactions.
Getman is excited for the first virtual fair which is expected to open at the end of May. To get notices of upcoming fair dates, visit www.bookandpaperfairs.com/virtual. For information on exhibiting at an upcoming fair, contact Getman at info@bookandpaperfairs.com or by calling 781-862-4039.
Gros & Delettrez, June 12: LETTRE ENCYCLIQUE, manuscrit XIXe siècle
Gros & Delettrez, June 12: NOUVEAU TESTAMENT, Amsterdam 1668, reliure arménienne
Doyle The Collection of Mary Tyler Moore June 4, 2025
DOYLE: Peter Max, Portrait of Mary Tyler Moore (Versions 1,2, 5, 6), 2001. Estimate $10,000-15,000
DOYLE: The iconic screen-used wall-mounted "M" from The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Estimate $5,000-8,000
DOYLE: The Mary Tyler Moore Show by Al Hirschfeld. Estimate $4,000-6,000
Doyle The Collection of Mary Tyler Moore June 4, 2025
DOYLE: Annie Leibovitz presents Mary Tyler Moore and Dick Van Dyke for Vanity Fair. Estimate $4,000-6,000
DOYLE: Al Hirschfeld presents Mary Tyler Moore and Dick Van Dyke in the CBS Wednesday Night Lineup. Estimate $4,000-6,000
DOYLE: Richard McKenzie, Portrait of Mary Tyler Moore. Estimate $1,000-2,000
Doyle The Collection of Mary Tyler Moore June 4, 2025
DOYLE: Three Original Bill Hargate Costume Designs for The Mary Tyler Moore Hour. Estimate $600-800
DOYLE: The famous Bonnie and Clyde "Wanted" broadside. Estimate $500-800
DOYLE: Ticket to the Final Episode of the Mary Tyler Moore Show Estimate $400-600
Sotheby's Bibliothèque Jacques Dauchez - Autour de Dubuffet
5-19 June
Sotheby’s, June 5-19: Bissière, Roger. Cantique à notre frère soleil de saint François. 1954. 1,000 - 1,500 EUR
Sotheby’s, June 5-19: Céline, Louis-Ferdinand. La vie & l’œuvre de Philippe Ignace Semmelweis. 1924. Rare édition originale, avec envoi. Joint : La Quinine en thérapeutique, 1925. 4,000 - 6,000 EUR
Sotheby’s, June 5-19: Céline, Louis-Ferdinand. Mort à crédit. 1936. Édition originale. Bel exemplaire sur Hollande. 2,500 - 3,500 EUR
Sotheby's Bibliothèque Jacques Dauchez - Autour de Dubuffet
5-19 June
Sotheby’s, June 5-19: Chillida, Eduardo ─ Emil Cioran. Face aux instants. 1985. Un des 100 exemplaires sur Arches. Eau-forte signée. 600 - 800 EUR
Sotheby’s, June 5-19: Dubuffet, Jean. Ler dla canpane. L’Art Brut, 1948. Édition originale. 3,000 - 5,000 EUR
Sotheby’s, June 5-19: Dubuffet, Jean. L'Herne Jean Dubuffet. 1973. Un des 100 exemplaires du tirage de luxe avec une sérigraphie originale en couleurs. 1,000 - 1,500 EUR
