ABAA Inaugural Virtual Book Fair Opens June 4
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck (New York: The Viking Press, 1939). First edition. Unclipped, wraparound pictorial dust jacket. Offered at the ABAA virtual book fair for $11,000.
New York — The Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America (ABAA) is hosting a virtual book fair June 4-7, offering the public a new opportunity for discovery. This online event showcases fresh material from ABAA booksellers across the country. The books, manuscripts, and ephemera featured will be available only at the fair. Visitors will be first in line for handpicked highlights and new acquisitions. They will also be able to interact with ABAA booksellers in real time.
“Even though the pandemic has forced many booksellers to close their shops and shelter at home, the work of sourcing and cataloging new material has continued, and we’re excited to showcase what ABAA members have been working on these past few months,” said ABAA President Brad Johnson.
Featuring more than 100 ABAA booksellers, the Virtual Book Fair presents volumes from six centuries of printing, as well as original manuscripts. Books cover every imaginable area -- from the history of travel and exploration to early science and medicine, from classic literature to modern first editions, as well as autographs, photography, and children’s and illustrated books.
“We’ve been working hard to create a dynamic experience,” said ABAA Vice President Sheryl Jaeger, who’s leading the Virtual Book Fair planning. “We would rather be together, but this book fair experience provides an opportunity for connection and serendipity.”
Leading up to this special event, the ABAA is hosting an online panel discussion: Book Collecting 101, Online Edition, similar to the educational session offered at ABAA book fairs held in Boston, New York and California. The panel will discuss some of the unique differences of shopping online versus the in-person experience and provide tips on avoiding some of the pitfalls. Register for the live discussion on Zoom Monday, June 1 at 2 p.m./EDT using this link: https://forms.gle/Lkw47ZDHw9vcXXAW6.
The ABAA Virtual Book Fair opens at 10 a.m./EDT and the “doors” remain open 24 hours until the event’s closing June 7 at 10 p.m./EDT. Admission is free. For more information, visit abaa.org/virtualbookfair or call 212.944.8291.
