NY Antiquarian Book Fair
April 7-10
The New York Antiquarian Book Fair is back in New York!! The 56th Annual
Fair, located at the venerable red brick Park Avenue Armory, has become a true
Rite of Spring for those looking for rare and important books as well as
a fascinating array of literature, autographs, Americana and amazing illuminated manuscripts.
The Fair, is noted for its First Editions of rare volumes from the 16th century right until the mid-20th century Ian Fleming James Bond series.
Over 200 American and largely European dealers are again participating in the Fair with strong contingents from Britain, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland. New participants from Australia included the Asia Bookroom.
Rare books abound as do interesting letters and pieces of history.
The Raab Collection of Ardmore, Pennsylvania offered a fascinating piece of American history.
Here's a letter written by Thomas Jefferson, reacting to the end of the Napoleonic Wars and the resumption of Transatlantic Commerce. Writing from Monticello, in 1815, Jefferson states, "With the return of peace, I return to my old correspondents. I am out of wine, and it will be some months before I can receive for what I have written for to Europe. I must request you to fill up the chasm by sending me a quarter cask of either dry Sherry or Dry Lisbon (Port) which you have to be recommended. Let it be in a double cask and sent to Richmond."
The legendary Travels of Mendes Pinto: Adventurer, Missionary, Pirate from the Red Sea to the South China Sea & Japan was being offered by New York dealer Martayan Lan. Printed in Lisbon in 1614, the fabled
Peregrinations, and a classic in Portuguese literature, became as well known as Dom Quixote, and rivaled Marco Polo's Travels for its extraordinary descriptions of the Far East.
London rare book dealer Leo Cadogan brought some gems including the above account dealing with military matters relating to the War of Spanish Succession. The frontispiece engraving is of King Philip V. The book dating from 1707 opens a window into a forgotten but crucial era in European history.
Business seemed brisk and dealers were busy.
The Park Avenue Armory presents a perfect and established venue for the Fair and participants hope it shall continue to do so into the future.
