At the 46th annual Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair, readers, collectors, and sellers gathered at the Hynes Convention Center in Back Bay to turn pages with each other from Nov. 8 to 10. Admission was $25 on opening night and free for the public on Saturday and Sunday.
This three-day event allowed guests enough time to explore and take in all the different antique items on display. Some were even available for purchase. Items ranged from first-edition books to manuscripts, historical maps, and other collectible pieces. Most sellers come across these antique items from auctions, other antiquarian shows, rare bookstores, or just about wherever they can find them.
Guests were encouraged to register for a tour of the fair on Saturday and Sunday as well as hear from speakers about maintaining one’s rare book collections or learning how to start collecting on a budget.
This year, the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America celebrated its 75th anniversary with the 46th Annual Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair.
Alexander Akin, president of the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America, described the event as “like a museum of printed stuff of the last millennium.” This event is like a “gathering of the tribe,” Akin said.
The fair has become a place for people to connect with one another, share common interests, and meet potential clients.
On display at the Geographicus Rare Antique Maps booth was a map titled “‘Hell on Wheels’ 1942–1943–1944. Second United States Armored Division.” This piece of art is part of a series of maps made by soldiers for soldiers during World War II.
Sean Hunt, who works for Geographicus Rare Antique Maps in Brooklyn, New York described each piece that the shop displayed as “great.” He first attended the Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair in 2017; however, Geographicus Rare Antique Maps has attended the fair before he started working for them, specializing in historic cartography.
“They weren’t meant for public distribution,” Hunt said. “That one is special because it is accompanied by a letter written by the commanding officer of the 66th armored regiment to the widow of one of the soldiers that was killed in action.”
Hunt enjoyed seeing what all the other dealers brought to the event.
“I always see something new that I’ve never seen before,” Hunt said
Upon entering the exhibition hall, more than 100 rare book dealers from all around the world gathered at their stalls with hundreds of rare books of different genres behind glass display cases. Each artifact shares a story, transporting viewers back to its inception.
To help guide guests toward items that are $100 or less, guests were encouraged to search for a magnifying glass symbol on booth signs to help discover rare items on a budget.
Peter Harrington, a rare antiquarian book shop based in London and founded 50 years ago, showcased a first edition of “Harry Potter.” According to John Ryan who was working at the booth, they only printed 500 copies of the first edition.
Another popular children’s book they have is a first edition of “Where The Wild Things Are” signed by the author and artist, Maurice Sendak. Besides rare books, in their possession they also have Winston Churchill’s watch that was given to him from his time in Switzerland.
Also in attendance was Boston’s very own Brattle Book Shop, one of America’s oldest and largest antiquarian book shops, which had its own booth showcasing all the rare books they have for sale. The Brattle Book Shop has attended the fair since it began.
Nicole Reiss, manager of Brattle Book Shop and committee chair of the Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair, shared with The Beacon that at the fair, you can meet like-minded people. Collecting things should be something you enjoy and doesn’t need to be expensive.
