By Bruce McKinney

Over the weekend of February 9th and 10th the San Francisco Antiquarian Book, Print & Paper Fair opens a two day stand at the San Francisco Concourse. Two hundred and two firms will exhibit. The following weekend, the ABAA holds its annual California Fair in Los Angeles at the Hyatt Regency Century. One hundred and eighty-one participants are listed on the event's website. These fairs are very different but both offer fresh material, the opportunity to inspect pieces first hand and the chance to meet new dealers. Such fairs occur infrequently and these are the two largest antiquarian book fairs scheduled in California in 2008. Both fairs are highly recommended.

San Francisco Book and Paper Fair: Hours and location.

41st California International Antiquarian Book Fair: Hours and location.

The San Francisco fair attracts a more eclectic group of exhibitors, the LA fair a strong concentration of the world's leading dealers. The booths in San Francisco are larger and rents lower so exhibitors are able to bring a wider range of material. At the LA Fair you may be browsing alongside a movie star, in San Francisco a software millionaire. Both will be wearing dark glasses.

The San Francisco fair includes information tables and representatives of various libraries, associations and services.

The ABAA fair includes space for non-profits and lecturn and chairs for panel discussions.

On Saturday in Los Angeles, at 1:00 pm, there is the first of three presentations over two days:

The Rare Book Community: Collectors, Dealers and Libraries -Presented by Daniel Slive, Russell A. Johnson, Deborah Whiteman and Gordon Hollis, Moderator. - Insights into the inner workings of the world of rare books directly from collectors, librarians and antiquarian book dealers.

On Sunday, at noon –

Rare Books 101 - Presented by Katy Carter, Carol Sandberg and Bruce Whiteman. In just one hour, noted rare booksellers will provide a speed course on the essentials you need to know to start collecting. Included is the 20 minute presentation: Internet as a research tool for shopping: EBay versus ABE, how not to get duped, and how to build a trusting relationship with your bookseller.